General

‘When you have got it flaunt it’ and that’s just what ‘The Black Prince of Sandringham’ in Pacemaker did in the last race today. With the series win in the bag after two wins this morning they were spectators at the last start, watching the fleet sail off while they cruised home to early celebratory drinks. Well done Dave, congratulations to you and your crew, Herschel, Rachael, Sam and Luke.

This morning the real race was for second, third and fourth with Doug Watson (El Fideldo), Brendan Lee (By the Lee) and Simon Grain (Code Violation) all in with a chance on second and third. Simon Grain scared the other two enough with two seconds behind Dave’s two firsts in the first two races that they both pounced on the poor blighter from Sandy and after a dump on Simon First leg, Code was out the back. A certain discard for sure and made certain by an unfortunate bottom mark rounding when Lisa on the foredeck got hit by the kite pole and covered the deck and her white top with an alarming shade of red. Retired hurt – but you have to look after the ladies faces ! Doug Watson put in a stellar performance to take out the race and the second overall from Brendan with Simon in fourth. A long jump back to Kirsty Harris in Hyperactive and Ron Thompson in Kicking. Rob Hogan coming in 7th making the famous Cookie Monster get up and fly with a best place 2nd in the regatta, “good to see that old sun umbrella kite go Rob” and Dave Mackay from Cronulla, our newest ‘circuit devotee’ in Stockcar coming home 8th.

Unfortunately after an enormous effort in training and preparation program prior to the nationals our Victorian President Doug MacGregor got a hit from the boom and has now gained a few stitches but lost a couple of teeth, tough luck and a bad end to a good campaign, but Doug will be back with that Scottish vigor and determination we all see in him. Our thoughts are with you Doug. Maybe a trip to Thailand coming up – I hear the teeth are good and cheap there.

The Performance Handicap winner is Janette Syme with a well deserved win over new comer Steve O’Rourke and his crew of grandkids (well done Steve, your competitive spirit and attendance at the regatta is much appreciated by the class and we look forward to see you again in the circuit. Janette arrived in the heat before the regatta and rubbed the black antifoul off the bottom of Foolish Behaviour prior to the start – our own little coal miner !  Go Janette – we love you sailing the J’s with us. Next big gig is the Vic States – 18th April. (SA States possibly the last weekend in Feb, but yet to be confirmed). Rob Hogan in Cookie Monster took out 3rd from Helen Wilmer in Good Company in fourth.

This year’s Thommo Cup was taken out by big brother, a bit monotonous, but Ron is just a bit competitive over little sister, must be some other way to do the Thommo Cup.

The class showed a great deal of appreciation for the efforts of SA President Jim Townsend and wife Robin and his team in putting the regatta and the class back together in SA – we can’t say enough thanks for all your effort. Thank you to all the CYCSA members and volunteers in helping to put the Nationals together and making it a well run and smooth operation.

Are you reading this and thinking we had a story there too – send it to me and it goes online. My take on it all isn’t the only viewpoint so send them in for all to read.

Well Steve – there goes the title, gone without a fight. The Vic States will be bigger than ever this year and we look forward to seeing you back on the startline.

For final results go to http://www.cycsa.com.au/results.html

More overcast grey skies today, suiting the Black Prince of Sandringham perfectly with 3 bullets added to his score. With the first drop coming into effect today, his score of 11 is half that of Brendan Lee (SYC) on 23 points. Doug Watson, Adelaide’s leading skipper is third with Simon Grain (SYC) now forth after an ordinary day. Sandringham boats fill 6 of the first 7 places, so the competitive fleet at SYC shows it’s worth.

The most novel picture was Jeanette Syme sailing around before the start in the rain under an umbrella at the back of the boat.

Today’s first race started in very light conditions with a swing to the left and an increase of breeze to around 18 knots, catching some of the fleet unawares, but giving a fast and exciting kite ride back to the finish. Finishing order was Dave Suda, Doug Watson, Ron Thompson.

Race two and we had a shifty SE breeze of around 15knots. Once again banging the beach proved to be the way to go and even some of the locals didn’t take their own advice on going left. Dougie Watson telling me that for 4 years he has sailed here and knows the left rule like the back of his hand. Why did I go right twice ? he asked me. Finishing order was Dave Suda,  Brendan Lee, Simon Grain.

Race three and the wind had lightened off so much that it was almost a drifter off the start with many people calling it a lottery. didn’t bother the Black Prince though as he scooted off to a 3rd win of the day in a shortened race. The planned race 4 was not held due to the lack of wind and interest.  Finishing order was Dave Suda, Rob Hogan (Cookie Monster), Dave McKay (Stockcar).

Performance Handicap is being lead by Jeanette Syme in Foolish Behavour from Rob Hogan in Cookie Monster and Helen Wilmer in Good Company.

Full results available on http://www.cycsa.com.au/results.html

Overcast skies all day with a building SE breeze gave the nationals competitors a great day’s racing without the heat and burning sun of the past few days. Around 8-10 knots breeze and flat water for the first race and ending up with the whole fleet on jibs in around 20 knots.

The normal ‘bang the left’ rules applied today with boats getting big lifts along the beach to a top mark down towards Largs. Racing is very close with the top boats getting around in a very tight group and the bulk of the back following closely behind.

Results are not online yet due to a protest. Today’s race winners are Doug Watson in El Fideldo, Brendan Lee in By the Lee and two races to Dave Suda in Pacemaker. Overall leader is Doug Watson, followed by Simon Grain and Dave Suda.

Check back a bit later here or on http://www.cycsa.com.au/results.html   for updated full results.

Day one has got off to an interesting start with more protests that races held.

After a very stormy morning today following two 38 deg days previously that have had those preparing their boats spending unusually large amounts of time falling about with heat stress and consuming large amounts of water rather than beer, racing got going with a huge black wall of cloud to the north of the race track. The breeze was a light and variable 13knots, flat seas and warm muggy temp, champagne sailing really.

Dave Suda won the first race from Simon Grain sailing Code Violation but is on the receiving end of a multi-boat protest at the top mark for a port and starboard in the second race. At least 4 protests are in already and I believe there may be more to come – busy night in the committee room !

Code Violation was leading all the way round the track in the second race before falling into a hole 100m from the finish and having 3 boats sail around them as the breeze died. Brendan Lee took out the second race from Doug Watson, Dave Suda and Code.

For more details and full results go to the CYCSA site at http://www.cycsa.com.au/results.html   then click on the ‘Results for the 14-15 season link and then J24 Nationals link near the bottom.

Note that as of writing the results are provisional due to the protests.

The first placing boat that is kept in a boat bag is Kaotic, and the highest placing boat that’s antifouled is CJ Constructions.

This year the J24 Women on Water Trophy was presented to Kate Holmes for consistent efforts crewing for Janette Syme’s crew at regattas in NSW and interstate.

The J24 Association of NSW would like to extend thanks to the Lapstone Hotel for sponsoring the event.

Another gem from Tim to spur the folks at Cronulla along – Priceless !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OqrHJXAyK8

Just for the hell of it, I took my J to another yacht club and picked up a crew of locals from the Bar!
That’s right, there was no sailing for the J class that weekend, so with perfect weather forecast (I have to be very careful to pick my weather at the moment due to my recovery process) I entered Bruschetta VI in the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron saturday handicap club race. Motoring from Sandringham Yacht Club up the bay I arrived at the glorious new marina of RMYS. I had entered the night before, the RMYS office staff had found Gretchen to sail with me, I also had Cherry who had sailed with me in New York and after carefully looking at the weather, which was an easily manageable northerly with flat water, I asked at the bar if anyone else wanted a sail. Scott put his hand up, despite never being on a J or ever doing the bow, Scott seemed perfect.
Bruschetta VI was the smallest boat in the fleet which ranged up to a TP52, I must admit that the TP52 did lap us, however the laid windward leeward course was perfect J sailing, matched with 20 degree shifts all over the course, we matched it with the fleet, far from last over the line we retired to the bar. We were stunned to hear that we had won the day by a staggering 5 minutes to 2nd place. This effort has gone down really well at RMYS and we received praise from the office bearers and competitors alike.
J24’s are perfect for some of these clubs, cost effective and super competitive, I can’t stress enough how impressed the club members were with the 30+ year old J design, it was great fun to race against a new fleet, sail with people I had never met and surprisingly get around the course with near perfect crew work………. I’m going to push for the J’s to make the pilgrimage again this time with more numbers, it will only help grow the class which still has a major place on the club race course. Try it sometime  ……. Hugo.

Startling images have been leaked showing Australia’s next America’s Cup challenger practicing against the AC72s at the New York Yacht Club. Veteran yachting reporter Bert Stankler has been covering this explosive story. ‘When I first heard the story break that Australia would be competing for the Auld Mug in a J24 I was straight on the phone to Bob Oatley, he said the oversupply of wine worldwide has hit the bottom line of many wine producers, they needed to change their strategy as their budget for the Cup challenge was trimmed from $100 million to under $20k so J24 became the obvious choice.’

Read on … Breaking News

With just a few weeks to go, can I please encourage you to get your entry forms in to RPEYC for the State Championships on 1 & 2 November.

Sailing Instructions NSW State Championships 2014

Notice of Race NSW State Championship 2014

2014 NSW State Championship Entry Form

Any enquiries please call Paula on 0404 539176.

This year the Gosford J24 Classic Regatta at Gosford Sailing Club attracted a fleet of 8 – with beautiful champagne sailing conditions Saturday..and a 30 degree day on Sunday bringing very light winds.  The full 6 races were finally completed after some postponements and course changes, and with the drop, Steve Girdis managed to rack up just 5 points with 5 wins to take the winners spot!

Scratch Results

Handicap Results

Thank you once again to all entries and crew for making the trip to Gosford whether it be by sea or road, from Sydney and Lake Macquarie!  We appreciate the effort it takes to get your boat there and hope you will also join us at the next big event – the NSW J24 State Championships on 1 & 2 November at RPEYC in Sydney!