Sonar Crew - Colin Harrison, Barry Astwood and Russell Boaden
Paralympic Results from the Rolex Miami OCR Regatta
Established in 1990 by US Sailing, the Rolex Miami OCR, a Grade One ranking event annually draws elite sailors, Olympic and Paralympic medalists and hopefuls from around the world. The regatta, as important for establishing a sailor's world ranking as it is for providing a warm-weather elite training option for Europeans, has this year attracted dozens of teams selected by their countries for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Regattas, set for August and September respectively in Qingdao, China. The 2008 Rolex Miami OCR drew 369 sailors from 34 countries and consisted of five days of fleet racing from January 28 to 1 February followed by one day of top-ten medal racing (for Olympic classes only) on 2 February, replicating the new Olympic format that will debut in Qingdao.
Basking in sunshine and light breezes,the Paralympic classes, SKUD-18, Sonar and 2.4mR sailed on Biscayne Bay from Miami’s Shake-A-Leg facility .
Whilst the 2008 Australian Paralympic Sailing Team will only be selected by the Australian Paralympic Committee in mid 2008, the three overall winners in the Paralympic classes from Miami will represent their countries in the Paralympic Regatta set for Qingdao, China, in September 2008. They are USA's Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker in the SKUD 18; Jens Kroker, Tobias Schuetz and Siegmund Mainka (Germany) in the Sonar; and Damien Seguin (France) in the 2.4mR.
Selected in 2005 as the boat for two-person Paralympic competition in the 2008 Paralympic Games, the SKUD18 built in Indonesia is a strict one design class.
With the series sewn up after dominating the fleet, winning duo Scandone and McKinnon-Tucker sat out of the last race. West Australian Rachael Cox (Royal Perth Yacht Club) and skipper, Dan Fitzgibbon (RQYS) raced consistently placing 8th despite their two DNS races in the last two of the series. To maximumize training and racing opportunities with her skipper, Rachael has moved from Perth to Brisbane in the lead up to Qingdao.
In the Sonar Division the Australian Team comprising West Australians Colin Harrison, Russell Boaden and Graeme Martin finished 5th overall in a fleet of 11 entries with a 1st in Race 2 and a 2nd in Race 9.
The Australian sailors will use their State Championships as a warm-up for the Australian & International Access Class Championships to be held during the Easter weekend, 21-24 March 2008 at the Canberra Sailing Club, ACT.
Rachael Cox and Daniel Fitzgibbon
Cherub Cunning Linguist - Cameron Rule and Todd Montgomery
Cherub Sprint Series Pays Off
The increased prize money of $1500 attracted 20 Cherubs from Mounts Bay Sailing Club, Perth Dinghy Sailing Club and Bunbury’s Koombana Bay Sailing Club to the annual two day Paddington Ale House Cherub Sprint Series. The cash coupled with extremely short races and the use of an upwind and downwind gateway ensured fierce and tight competition.
The 18 to 25 knot southerly breeze on the first day turned the races into a test of survival. The winning completion times for each race were around 20 minutes, so starting well was critical. Capsizes and nosedives were commonplace, so being in front was often short lived.
The spectator boat with the sponsors aboard was right amongst the action on the second day when a fresh Easterly and shifty conditions spread the fleet out making it difficult to make the downwind gate for many boats.
Ensuring that the Sprint Series combines the social and competitive aspects of sailing the Cherub sailors joined the 101 Beer Club at the Paddington Ale House on the Saturday night between race days.
After the recent unheard of (for Cherubs) ‘early to bed and extra early to rise’ regime for 6am starts at the National Championships in Queensland earlier this month the Cherub sailors certainly earned their rest and recuperation along with an ale or three.
Cunning Linguist consistently sailed by Cam Rule and Todd Montgomery (MBSC) won the event followed by Fine Mess skippered by Brennan Stead (PDSC) and in third place, Serenity Now sailed by Steve and Blake Vance (PDSC).
Division 1 & 2 Winners: Trevor Taylor and Mike Finn
Photo Courtesy: John Roberson
Ausmaid Wins the 60TH Bunbury and Return Ocean Race
It might not receive quite the same worldwide media attention and the entry list may not be as large or as glamorous as the Sydney Hobart Race, but Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club’s Bunbury Race has a history that’s almost as long as the race itself.
Browsing the historical list of winners brings up the names of many of WA’s most prominent offshore sailors including Rolly Tasker, Merv Finn and Bill Lucas, all legends of the States sailing scene.
Today’s highly competitive fleet of 18 high tech yachts was in stark contrast to the line up in the early ‘80s, the halcyon days of WA’s offshore racing when over 60 entries would take to the start line. In greater contrast, it would have been a motley selection of boats that contested the first race in 1948 in the austere post-war days when the State’s Liquid Fuel Board refused a request for a special ration of petrol to enable the club’s powerboats to accompany the fleet as a safety measure.
Rockingham skipper Trevor Taylor and his crew Paul Tunnard, James Kelly, Grant Wood, Jock Main, Daniel Taylor, Stuart Robinson, Aaron Linham, Geoff Woods and Peter Jones pushed Ausmaid claiming victory in an elapsed time of 21.35.42 on the round trip of just over 200 nautical miles.
Second on handicap was line honours winner Garth Curran in Walk on the Wild Side, crossing the finish line at Fremantle at 05:15hours on Monday morning and third on handicap, Steel de Breeze skippered by Brian de Vries at 09:26hours.
Winner of Division 2 was Mike Finn’s Constellation, followed by Ian Holder in Bad Habits and Tim Gardner in Jolie Breeze
Tessa Parkinson & Elise Rechichi
Bronze for Rechichi and Parkinson at 470 World Championships
Australian pocket-rockets Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson shortened as hot Olympic medal favourites after securing a bronze medal at the 470 Women’s World Championships at Mordialloc Sailing Club, Victoria.
Americans Erin Maxwell and Isabelle Kinsolving helped ease the bitter disappointment of missing Olympic selection with an emphatic 10 point world title victory ahead of World No.1 Italians Giulia Conti and Giovanna Micol.
“If there was ever a way to make me feel better about not being selected for the Olympics … this is it,” an ecstatic Maxwell said.
“I don’t know what the future holds but we’re going to savour it, that’s for sure.”
“We’re going to campaign for 2012 but jobs, graduate school and marriages come before that,” Maxwell added.
Sydney based Perth girls Rechichi 22 and Parkinson 21, were delighted with their result and the kick start it has given them for the Olympic regatta in Qingdao next August.
Conditions for the top 10 double points medal race were perfect for the lightweight combination who overnight trailed triple world champions Marcelien de Koning/Lobke Berkhout (NED) by just one point.
In 7-10 knot shifty winds, Rechichi/Parkinson sailed a near tactically perfect race to set themselves up for a podium finish. Knowing they had to beat the Dutch girls to have any chance of a bronze medal, they kept them insight for the entire race.
“On the second up wind we got a little bit out of whack and we tacked back and saw that we were pointing behind the Dutch girls …we were patient and just had to wait for the right shift and then they all pushed each other too close to the left lay – that gave us the option to tack around the top of them on the lay line, they had no where to go and they lost about a 100m or so,” a very happy Rechichi explained.
Rechichi/Parkinson will now both take a well earned vacation before heading overseas in March to begin their build up for Beijing.
They won the Olympic test event in Qingdao last year and have now officially signaled their arrival on the international 470 sailing stage.
Aspiring to that same stage are WA girls Stacey Omay and Chelsea Hall who recently graduated from the 420 to the 470 Class and who finished a creditable 17th in the Women Gold – last race (11-29). Having achieved a fantastic 4th and 6th finish in races 4 and 5 respectively, these girls are definitely on their way UP.
Blackwood Challenge – Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club Protests Augusta Yacht Club after Annual Race Series
Last weekend the Augusta Yacht Club hosted visitors from Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club and Mounts Bay Sailing Club for the Blackwood Challenge, a two day race series for the GP14 Class Association sailed in West Bay.
Augusta produced their usual windy conditions which added to the tricky challenge of shallow water and narrow waterways. Wild winds for the first two races on Saturday caused a number of dunkings whilst other boats planed around the course testing the crews' skills enhancing the good natured rivalry between the three clubs. Initially local boat Patara led the way with visiting boats Cocktail Cherry (MBSC) and Ragged Edge (DBYC) taking minor placings. In the second race La Rousse (Bruce Quail & Steve Heywood - MBSC) proceeded to carve up the opposition with a gutsy decision to fly their spinnaker on the second leg to overhaul Cocktail Cherry with a spectacular gybe round the windward mark. Throwing up the spinnaker in those conditions was second nature to Steve of Sligo World Championships fame.
Sunday morning produced easier conditions until the sea breeze came in off the Southern Ocean for the final two short course races. La Rousse held off Patera, Cocktail Cherry and Ragged Edge (Peter and Rick Wagner) all day taking the Blackwood Challenge trophy. Second was Patara (Denis Meagher & Ion Lindsay & Molly Clements – AYC) and third, Cocktail Cherry (Louis Proksh & Steve Dickinson – MBSC). Special Junior Awards were made to the eight year old crews Morgan Flower and Ric Wagner for their great efforts.
With visitors and hosts enjoying the excellent barbecue and social facilities of the host club Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club determined it was time to get down to the real business of the day – a PROTEST. For readers who are unaware, DBYC very successfully established themselves albeit under testing conditions from tents and trailers some years ago off the quiet Quindalup Beach on Geographe Bay between Busselton and Dunsborough pending their long standing application to the Shire for a permanent clubhouse facility.
The Protest over the facilities available to the Augusta Yacht Club was made by the DBYC team members in the form of lyrics to the tune of Advance Australia Fair after the payment of two cartons in line with the AYC dictates. The cartons in this instance contained bottled sea water and beach sand from Dunsborough - the only things DBYC has better than Augusta!
This provided much hilarity followed by fun awards: Louis (Cocktail Cherry) received the Rubber Duck Award for his three capsizes of the weekend; The Submariners Trophy of a most attractive bucket was presented to Brent (Niord - AYC) for making it back to shore almost submerged after losing not only their baler but also their dignity in a rollover! Salt Peter (Steve, Morgan and Marissa Flower - DBYC) after extricating their mast from the mud performed a spectacular slow motion, canoe style roll-over whilst substitute crew, Marissa desperately attempted to save her hair do! Whizz Bang (Jim Major & Peter Ranford - DBYC) made the newspaper headlines for defeat in their own private race with a pod of dolphins.
The Blackwood Challenge event was yet again a fantastic success and highlights the benefit of the camaraderie and competitive spirit that exists between the clubs and the GP14 Class Association. New member or visitor enquiries are invited via the GP14 website www.gp14.iinet.net.au OR contact the Class President Bruce Quail on 0417 944 758. The Club contacts are: Augusta Yacht Club, Commodore on 9758 0098, Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club, Commodore on 9756 7187 or MBSC Office on 9386 5839.
Rigging up on the Blackwood River, Augusta Yacht Club
L to R: Kyle Langford, Kinley Fowler, Mark O'Toole, Kirsty Packer, Torvar Mirsky & Tudur Owen
Torvar Mirsky Wins his Second Warren Jones Regatta
by John Roberson
West Australian skipper Torvar Mirsky became the first Australian to put his name on the Warren Jones Youth Regatta trophy for a second time when he beat New Zealand’s Adam Minoprio in the final on the Swan River.
This was the battle of the two immediate previous winners with Mirsky defending the trophy which Minoprio won in 2006.
Mirsky who was in fifth place at the end of the first day, admitted to being surprised he’d been able to come back and win, because of the high standard of the competition.
"At the start of the event we lost a few races, we were still finding our feet, but towards the end we stepped it up and really put everything we had into it, and we weren’t making so many mistakes," he explained. In the best of the three race final series the local skipper stamped his authority on the game in the first confrontation, decisively winning the start, and controlling the race throughout.
The Kiwis took the second race after Mirsky misjudged the start, and despite several strong challenges could not break through to grab the lead.
In the decider the two boats came off the starting line evenly but Mirsky and his team were able to squeeze a fraction more speed out of their boat and quickly established a small advantage which they managed to defend to the finish.
Adam Minoprio dominated the regatta through the early stages while Mirsky only claimed his place in the final at the end of the qualifying series but carried the momentum of his improving form through into the final. In the petit final another New Zealander, Laurie Jury, beat Robert Gibbs 2 – 0 to take third place.
The last day of the regatta produced more testing conditions for the young crews with strong and shifty easterly winds and at times torrential rain.
Mirsky from Fremantle, is the top ranked youth skipper in the world having had a successful European season last year.
RESULTS:
1 Torvar Mirsky AUS
2 Adam Minoprio NZL
3 Laurie Jury NZL
4 Robert Gibbs AUS
5 Phil Robertson NZL
6 Evan Walker AUS
7 Keith Swinton AUS
8 Stuart Pollard AUS
9 Tom Spithill AUS
10 John Back SWE
11 Richard McPharlin AUS
12 Dylan Clark AUS
Boating Tips courtesy BoatingOz
Buying a Boat
”If you are thinking of buying an older boat or even a fairly new one, try to have a look at it in the rain, especially in all of the cabins. It is then and only then, that the full extent of any leaks in the deck will show themselves. Some boats are literally wetter on the inside than on the outside”. Terry Buddell
Stop Marine Growth on Bronze Propellers
”Once your bronze propeller is nice and clean, give it six separate coats of albumin...egg white...somehow or other, the chemicals in the egg white react with the chemicals in the bronze and will prevent barnacles and other underwater growth for a full year. Once painted on and dried, it is very difficult to remove”. Captain Pugwash.
Clean Sludge From Fuel Tanks
”Clean as much of the sludge in the bottom of fuel tanks as you can before going on an extended offshore cruise/trip, especially if the boat has been idle for a while. The motion of the boat at sea stirs up sludge and blocks fuel filters etc”. J Palos.
MOFSC Easter Regatta Welcomes the Specturm of Dinghy Sailors
Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club
The Rolly Tasker Sails Australia Mandurah Easter Regatta
Easter weekend will see all roads leading to Mandurah for the third consecutive year when sailors will again enjoy free high level coaching at the Rolly Tasker Sails Australia Mandurah Easter Regatta generously supported by Yachting WA.
Registrations at the popular regatta are this year expected to exceed last year’s fleet of 119 which attracted skippers ranging in age from 8 year old juniors sailing Minnows to mature and even veteran aged seniors sailing Sharpies.
International yachtsman Peter Gilmour will be the face of the regatta and will be supported by the cream of Yachting WA’s coaching fraternity. Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club has fast established itself as the place to be for Easter where sailors compete in a holiday atmosphere on the waters of Comet Bay adjacent to the Mandurah Marina.
Invitations have been sent to the following Classes: 505, 470, 420, Lasers, Optimists, Flying Ants, Sharpies, 29er, 49er, Cherubs, Minnows, Mirrors, Contenders, Jay Dees, Tasars, Int 14’s HOWEVER Rear Commodore Kevin Luff has emphasized that sailors from all classes will be welcomed. A Class fleet consists of 5 boats however provision for mixed fleet racing will be made for fleets with less than 5 boats of the same kind. If your Class is not listed and you’d like to participate, please contact Kevin on 0407 428 221.
Entries close on Friday 14th March 2008 at 1600hours HOWEVER early registration is encouraged and entries received by Friday 7th March 2008 will receive a complimentary regatta tee shirt. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the organising authority but will incur a late entry penalty. To facilitate coaching and catering logistics please register early - visit the YWA website and download the Notice of Race and Registration Form www.wa.yachting.org.au .
All enquiries should be directed to Rear Commodore Kevin Luff on 0407 428 221.
Two rivers, two clubs and heaps of fun in the Nedlands – Shelley Manly Junior Marathon Sail
By Didier Murcia
What a wonderful experience – sailing from Nedlands Yacht Club to Shelley Sailing Club and back.
Day 1:
After some preliminary sailing at Nedlands Yacht Club to identify rigging problems we set off with the Manly Juniors and two support boats for Shelley Sailing Club at 4.15pm.
All the sailors did extremely well in keeping close together as we crossed the river and sailed past South of Perth Yacht Club and approached our first challenge of the Canning Bridge.
The MJs came ashore near the Raffles much to the enjoyment of the crowd where a quick assessment of the bridge clearance was made with two options in mind –capsize the boats and swim them through or tow them through clearance was sufficient. It looked tight but there was only one way to find out…. so we threw a line to the first boat and towed it through. Easy! There must have been at least 5cm clearance. The word quickly passed back through the fleet and the decision was made by the sailors to sail through on their own. It was only once they were going through that Mark and Nico realised they had wind indicators on top of their masts so they had to sail through tipping their boats and masts so as not to hit the bridge.
Once through they sailed ahead to the next challenge – water skiers! As it turned out this wasn’t a challenge at all as the skiers seemed as interested in the boats as the sailors were in them and most skied past waving to the sailors.
Things were now going extremely well as they approached Mt Henry Bridge until…..a jelly fish fight broke out between the boats including the support boats. The splashing of water was cool relief even if the jelly fish made that experience a bit messier than hoped!
For all the Nedlands sailors who had never been on the Canning River the next stage was really exciting as the river changed its shape and became reminiscent of Huck’ Finn’s adventures on the Mississippi. As we made our way to Shelley Sailing Club sailors avoided sand banks and the old convict fence that lies submerged just below the surface. Two and a half hours sailing in fairly light winds was a good effort indeed especially as we spent a fair bit of time having fun on the water.
Once there the sailors enjoyed more fun swimming and splashing around with games arranged until dinner which was followed by a movie and eventually bedtime in the club house.
Day 2:
Bacon and egg rolls, followed by a speech from Commodore Gary Flynn and we hit the water for what looked to be a long sail back to Nedlands in very light winds. The fun that was had the previous day continued with the water fights starting very early.
Luckily the winds picked up slightly and the biggest obstacle quickly became the shallow waters on the Canning, with skippers jumping out and pushing their boats faster than some others were sailing. We passed Mt Henry Bridge without incident until Sam Blackburn got out on a sand bank, only to find his boat and crew sailing away leaving him standing in the middle of the river! Honestly, if you can’t trust your own sister, who can you trust!
Saturday morning and the Canning was full of activity. Many “spectators” were amazed to see all these young sailors having a ball on the water. A great advertisement for the MJs – must capitalise on that next time! Skiers, rowers and people on the shore were very interested in the activities but probably not as interested as the fishermen at the Canning Bridge on seeing a fleet of MJs approaching under spinnaker! Unfortunately speed boats approaching from the other direction meant the spinnakers had to be dropped as we approached the bridge but seeing the boats sail under the bridge was a wonderful sight!
The boats crossed the Swan to NYC in style choosing their own approach on the return.
All in all, a great adventure. No racing, no pressure, just lots of fun. An excellent activity which will be repeated. Special thanks to both Nedlands Yacht Club and Shelley Sailing Club and key helpers: Keith Charlwood, Karen & Matthew Murcia, Sam Leetham, Liam Bell and official photographer, Sarah Murcia.
Top L to R: Survivors Mr Arthur Bancroft, Mr Robby Roberts, Bottom L to R: Survivors Mr Fred Skeels and Mr Norm Fuller
2008 HMAS Perth Regatta a Doubly Poignant Event
This year as mariners gather in sombre respect in the memory of the loss of HMAS Perth in 1942, Nedlands Yacht Club members will also be reflecting on the recent loss of their long serving and dedicated Patron, Sir Charles Court .
Each year to commemorate the sinking of the HMAS Perth a commemorative Regatta is hosted at Nedlands Yacht Club to assist the remaining survivors honour the memory of Captain Hector Waller, their shipmates and their ship. The regatta to which all WA sailors are invited provides a chance for all who enjoy the freedom of sailing for pleasure on the Swan River today, the opportunity to contribute to a memorable day for the WA survivors and show our respect and appreciation for services and sacrifices they made as young sailors.
On Sunday 24th February 2008 the remaining HMAS Perth survivors Mr Arthur Bancroft, Mr Digby Gray, Mr Robby Roberts, Mr Norm Fuller who will all be present and Mr Fred Skeels will be acknowledged and respectfully honoured.
On this special day VIP dignitaries and guests including the five remaining survivors of the HMAS Perth, together with descendants of Captain Hector Waller, club members and visiting sailors will amidst the ceremonial splendor and camaraderie of the event, remember and honour the inaugural Nedlands Yacht Club Patron. Sir Charles Court held the position of Patron from 1953 to his retirement in 1999 when his son, Richard took on the Patronship.
Nedlands Yacht Club, unlike other Clubs in Western Australia whose Opening Day is usually their main event, views the HMAS Perth Memorial Regatta as their premier event of the year. The Commander of the Royal Australian Navy undertakes the Inspection of the Guard of Honour watched by illustrious representatives of the HMAS Perth National Association, various Naval Associations, Ex POW Associations, Vietnam Veterans Association, Returned Services League, Naval Cadet Groups and the North American Veterans Unit to list but a few. On this day the bunting is raised, the brass is polished and the Club is enlivened with the vibrancy of the enormous volunteer force, being the solid foundation of this Club. It is the strong ties and relationships built up through generations of family members which bound and continues to tie the Court family like so many others to Nedlands Yacht Club. The Courts became active sailors at Nedlands when their children were young with one son Barry, going on to serve as Commodore and another, Richard succeeding his father as Patron. Sir Charles has seldom missed attending the annual HMAS Perth Memorial Regattas and his absence will be markedly felt as much by his family as by the extended family of members.
Commodore Greg Hill welcomes all sailors and class associations to participate in the 2008 HMAS Perth Memorial Regatta at Nedlands Yacht Club on Sunday 24th February 2008. Official ceremonies commence at 1300 hours and sailing commences with the Warning Signal at 1415 hours. Notice Of Race and the Entry Forms are available on www.wa.yachting.org.au . For further information contact NYC Office on 9386 5496 or Chris Waldie on 0411 420 501.
Rottnest Island Authority
Update to Mariners on Mooring Management Matters
A few matters have come to the attention of the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) throughout the summer boating season. The growth in recreational boating has increased significantly in recent times with greater numbers of vessels and a new demographic with a preference for larger vessels. The spin off from this growth is that many of the bays and anchorages around the Island are becoming highly congested during busy times and, at peak periods, are reaching vessel saturation. With this congestion has come an increase in vessel incidents and notices of complaint over the situation during these peak periods.
The RIA is now faced with developing and establishing management strategies to improve the boating experience for all those wishing to access and enjoy the Island Reserve. This matter will also be a high priority for the Rottnest Island Marine Issues Advisory Committee. All recreational skippers are urged to take due care and show courtesy when navigating in and out of the bays and manoeuvring within anchorage and mooring areas. Your consideration and assistance will be greatly appreciated by the RIA and your boating compatriots alike.
In relation to mooring management, the RIA will be engaging an independent consultant to conduct an extensive evaluation survey which will review current management practices and supply feedback on the status of the shared mooring system as it currently operates. This will occur in May 2008.
Another matter which has been bought to the attention of the RIA is that which relates to mooring site Licensees requesting (in some cases demanding) fees from Authorised Users of the mooring site. The RIA regulations and the mooring site license terms and conditions which a mooring site Licensee signs and agrees to, are clear in that there is to be no financial gain from a mooring site. Whilst the RIA has no issue with an Authorised User offering the Licensee a financial contribution toward the servicing and upkeep of the mooring apparatus on the mooring site, a Licensee may not charge or demand such fees from the mooring site Authorised Users.
The RIA has recently received a small but significant number of complaints from Authorised users pertaining to this matter and some have been refused access to the mooring site unless they contribute such fees. Not only is this a breech of license conditions but is also not in the spirit of the Shared Mooring System principles. The Shared Mooring System has developed over time to establish equity and access to all users within the mooring site system. Any Licensee conducting him/herself in the above mentioned manner is urged to reconsider this practice. The RIA has the right to revoke or refuse annual renewal of the mooring site license.
The RIA has received numerous positive comments from both Licensees and Authorised Users in relation to the system and how it is working in general. The RIA will continue to work closely with the Marine Issues Advisory Committee and its key stakeholder groups such as Yachting WA in an effort to continue to update and improve its management of the shared mooring system with our aim being to maintain a high level of satisfaction and enjoyment for all maritime visitors.
Keith Shadbolt - Maritime Facilities Coordinator
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