Vice Commodore CLUB NEWS Perfect start to 2019 · something of a record fleet. Duncan in Casper...

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au

P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to a [email protected] (Deadline midnight Tuesday)

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CLUB NEWS

Commodore Phill Robbins 0466668541 Vice Commodore Jonathan Horsley 0412798505 Rear Commodore Chris Hallett 0414866998 Secretary Nola Hallett 0414866999 Treasurer Norm Hunt HH 66291366 Class Reps Gennakers – Duncan Dey Catamarans – Col Woodbry Trailers – Ian Michie Monos – Graham Hams Rowing Officer Gerald Anderson HHUU Webmaster Mark Pierce Intermediate Sail Training Graeme Turner

EMAIL : [email protected] WEBSITE: www.rrsrc.com.au FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/RRsailingandrowing/

Perfect start to 2019

22 boats turned up for our first race of 2019 but the Gennakers were the highlight.

Three of our recent Learn to Sail graduates participated in their first race.

Jo and Stephan took out a Pacer and Seamus and Marko’s son took out a Nacra 350.

Congratulations to them for moving to the next level.

A perfect day on the river with lots of action in the Gennaker fleet and lots of river

traffic.

IN THIS EDITION: GENNAKER RACE REPORT – P 2

NACRA NATIONALS REPORT – P4

CLUB NEWS – Defibrillator Training P5

UPCOMING AWAY EVENTS – P6

CREW AVAILABLE – P 6

Newsletter 16 Jan 2019

http://www.rrsrc.com.au/

mailto:[email protected]









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FIRST RACE BACK – 13th Jan 2019

Gennakers (by Duncan and Mike. Pictures by Phill)

With the 49erFX, four Formula 15’s, one RS100 and one MG14 fronting the start, it was

something of a record fleet.

Duncan in Casper (read: RS100 = slow boat upwind) crossed on port ahead of the rampaging

fleet on starboard. He then practised in his field of hydrodynamics to beat the tide up the northern

side of the river and stayed with the fast boats for most of the first lap.

A brave port crossing.

Soon after the start, Liam and Ewan in the 49er, Barry and Anna in Secret and Michael and Tara

in Mr Bond broke away from the fleet and started a three way tussle for race leadership which

continued for the whole

race. All three boats at

some stage had race

leadership and it

changed constantly;

with the 15’s showing

more speed downwind

and the 49er taking over

the lead again on the

works. Tacking and

gybing duals became the

order of the day with the

starboard tack

advantage often

becoming the deciding

factor in who

temporarily held the

lead.






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A single error in

a spinnaker set or

dowse or a

poorly judged

approach to the

mark was on

occasions enough

to relegate a race

leader to third

place.

On the last work, the 49er established enough of a ead to sail clear around the top mark and enjoy

an unchallenged run to the finish. Secret and Mr Bond were still exchanging lead positions until

the last tacks into the mark, with Secret rounding first and getting a better spinnaker set to let it

lead Mr Bond across the finish line.

A little further back Bill in F15

Toxic gave Pip, one of our new

Trainees, her first race experience.

Behind them, John and Francine in Numero

Uno had their first run together to see if John

could recover enough of his sailing expertise

to make the Nationals at Port Stephens in a

fortnight.






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Last but not least

were our famous

son and father team

Tom and Brendan

in their MG

Interceptor.

It was a good day

on the river.

Nacra Nationals Report (Geoff Benson)

The 40th Narca National Titles were held over the new

year on the picturesque Wallis Lakes south of Forster,

NSW. Drawn from across the country the large contingent

of boats were divided into 5 fleets sharing the busy race

course. Ballina was well represented with 8 boats

including one of our latest members Ric in his new 4.5.

Competitors of all ages participated from the very young

(sailing Nacra 350s) through to the more mature. Norm

achieved his personal goal of sailing a nationals in his

80th year. He doubled up with Jacqueline for much of the

regatta due to windy conditions. Jacq joined us from Coffs

Harbour and it was great having her back bunking down

with the Ballina mob.

A total of 12 competition races were sailed with the vast

majority in challenging 15 to 20 knot gusty winds. Adding

to the challenges was a steep, short chop (due to the very

shallow sandy lake) and a large amount of seaweed which

required frequent clearing of foils. With between 2 and 3

follow on races per day, sailors' stamina and endurance

were tested with up to 6 hours on the water per day. In the

highly competitive 5.8 fleet the fresh conditions did not

help Chris and Nola as well as Jonathan and Patrick who

are still getting familiar with their new more powerful

rigs.






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Capsizes and breakages were frequent; including Col who lost his rig when a side stay broke;

Nola and Chris had a dramatic capsize resulting in Chris sustaining injuries which put them out of

the racing; Geoff broke a rudder off when a gudgeon broke; and Jonathan required repairs to his

rigging.

The 4.5 fleet get off to another competitive start.

Congratulations to Phill and Col who both got 3rd places and their respective classes (4.5 and

16sq). Importantly, the event was a lovely, friendly environment where all attendees could enjoy

themselves while participating in great competitive racing.

CLUB NEWS We were successful in receiving a grant for half of the purchase price of a

Defibrillator kit, which we now have purchased.

There will be a one hour training session at the clubhouse next Sunday 20th at 11 am.

Please attend if you can so that you are familiar with using this life saving device.

Come early to set up your boat so you have time to attend. You could have lunch during the presentation.






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Upcoming Away EVENTS

(Can members please email the editor any events that they know of at

[email protected] )

FASTWAYS CAT WEEKEND – Southport. Friday 8th – Sunday 10th Feb

Big River Sailing Club Regatta - 16/17 March 2019

The Great Race – Southport Yacht Club Holliwell –

23rd Feb 2019

Bay to Bay – 4th / 5th May

Crew Available:

Seamus, an enthusiastic graduate from our last Learn to Sail course, is keen to

continue his learning by crewing on any boat available. Seamus has already

crewed on a NS14, Nacra 5.8 and Spider 550. Please help him continue his

involvement with the club by giving him a place, if possible.

Email his mother Jill at [email protected] if you have a spot for him.

Seamus in the last race on our Nacra 350








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Stephan and Jo enjoying their first race in a Pacer.



Vice Commodore CLUB NEWS Perfect start to 2019 · something of a record fleet. Duncan in Casper...

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