WOW! What a great way to get sailing underway for the New Year… Thirteen IOM and eight DF65 skippers turned up, including several new faces and a couple of enthusiastic ‘young-guns’, which was great to see, welcome everyone. It really was a great day to be out sailing, not too hot for this time of the year, an incoming tide and gentle breezes.
Peter and Russell called all skippers to attention for a comprehensive briefing and both fleets entered the water for the start of Scratch racing – as always we are extremely grateful to Jeremy and other crew members who assist us with launches from the foreshore wall. After a summer refurbishment, Buoy-bots continue to meet all expectations and proved their value again this week as yachts departed the Marina, thank you Andrew.
Mike, Peter and Russell in the IOM fleet and Don, Steve and Greg in the DF65 boats continue to dominate the day with well-deserved podium placings, Jordan and Will also need to be recognized for their emerging talents and promising futures in the club. Notwithstanding the fact that all skipper skill levels are noticeably coming-to-the-fore and sailing throughout the year will be interesting to follow as advances will be made to challenge the ranks.
A fantastic day that had all the team work extremely well together to make all aspects of the event possible, thank you to everyone who go unmentioned for the individual tasks you all undertake without question to make for such a smooth running of our days. Sincerest thanks to Mike L for scoring heat eight to allow me to film the race (apologies for the wobbly bit!). Also, congratulations to Andrew who was presented with the overall Club Championship shield today – Well sailed Andy.
Round three of the Summer Handicap Series will be sailed on Sunday 29th January at the Manly Marina and we hope to see bigger fleets on the water.
Cheers, Bruce
