Main Clubhouse: Bethwaite Lane, Clive Park, Northbridge Seaforth Clubhouse annex: Sangrado Street, Seaforth Postal Address: PO Box 39 Northbridge NSW 2063

Northbridge Club 2015-2016 Season Report Part 2

Flying 11 Report 2015-2016

The 2015/16 season has seen the Flying 11 Program go from strength to strength with a record 17 boats registered and regular fleets in excess of 12.

The kids have had FUN and it is always a tremendous sight to see them learn and grow in confidence. We had a range of abilities from front of the fleet regatta sailors through to club sailors still learning to confidently sail in all weathers and everything in between.

The Flying 11 Program has been ably coached by Evan Andrews and assisted by a hard- working and enthusiastic parent group.

Club Championship

The Club Championship was a close tussle between Rebecca Hancock/Eve Peel and Jack Taylor/Shuhei Tomishima with Rebecca and Eve proving the form sailors of the season. The club Championship places were 1st Rebecca Hancock and Eve Peel, 2nd Jack Taylor and Shuhei Tomishima and 3rd Kashi Saunders and Bezi Saunders.

Northridge Sailing Club Season Report 2015-16 page 2 Figure 1 Flying 11 Sailing at its Best – Fresh and Fast

Other NSC Trophies

In other NSC trophies Jack Taylor and Shuei cleaned up the Afternoon Point Score, followed by Kashi and Bezi and Maddy Sloane and Isobel Gosper.

Maddy and Isobel turned out to be the perpetual trophy specialists winning the President’s Plate, the Punchbowl Pennant and the Commodores Cup with Warwick Taylor and Namika Keogh 2nd and Sasha Zenari and Thomas Westwood 3rd in the President’s Plate. Luke Bartels followed by Kashi were 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Punchbowl Pennant and Kashi and Bezi were 2nd followed by Nathan Stanaway and Mathew Yun 3rd in the Commodores Cup.

Figure 2 Clubhouse Start

Sydney Harbour Championship

The highlight of the season was the Sydney Harbour Championship, an interclub event held between NSC and VA12’SC. 2 rounds were hosted by NSC and 3 rounds were hosted by VA12’SC. MH16’SC did not participate this year due to low flying 11 numbers.

This regatta brought as much excitement during the passages to and from Vaucluse as the racing itself. The logistics were always fun juggling skippers who needed to coach junior sailing and crews participating in junior sailing.

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Figure 3 The Trip Home in a Nice NorEaster The final round summed it up for me with our small fleet getting beaten up by a 25+ knot SE squall on the passage across the Heads en route to Vaucluse, the three rescue boats hiding behind the eastern channel wedding cake to keep out of the horizontal rain, going ashore after racing to mingle with the Vaucluse kids for a sausage sizzle and prize giving before going back out into the freezing cold for the sail home. The standout was young Anders Koskela who had never sailed in a Flying 11 before and was in his first year in Optis when he was talked into joining the departing fleet at 10 minutes notice.

Figure 4 The Long Tow to Vaucluse

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We eventually got Anders back to his parents just on dark, freezing cold and totally pumped – ‘Mum I need to sail a Flying 11 next year!’ Needless to say great adventures are all part of mucking around in boats and he has already signed on to crew in a Flying 11 for next season.

In the end NSC was the dominant club led by Rebecca Hancock and Eve Peel 1st, followed by Kashi and Bezi Saunders 2nd and Maddy Sloane and Isobel Gosper 3rd.

Figure 5 Wet, Cold and TOTALLY PUMPED!

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Figure 6 Leaving VA12'SC

State Championships

Figure 7 NSW States - A Fair Bit on at the Wing

Northridge Sailing Club Season Report 2015-16 page 6 The NSW State Championships were held over 2 rounds at Cronulla in November and Avalon in February. The two rounds were totally different with Cronulla sailing outside Port Hacking in the open ocean in fresh southerly conditions and Avalon sailing inside Pittwater where conditions were mostly light and variable, occasional rain and sun.

Figure 8 Patrick and Sam Reaching Before the Storm (and not long before they washed up on the rocks in the surf off Cronulla)

In the overall results notable successes were Bec and Eve (and stand-in Emma for the last day) who won the Best All-Girl Crew, Maddy Sloane and Isobel Gosper who came second on handicap, and Sam Alexander and Patrick Fennell who won the Encouragement award (for stacking Anzac onto the rocks in big surf at Cronulla - not sure the parents want to encourage that!). And Tom Warne, who somehow won two(!) lucky door prizes at the results presentation...

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Figure 9 NSW State Champs

Figure 10 Maddy and Tom - NSW States

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Figure 11 Team Northbridge Briefing at the NSW States

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Figure 12 Kashi and Bezi Representing Team Northbridge at the States

Social Events

It took a while for the social events to gain momentum this year but there were several memorable Pizza and Sleepover events that were well attended.

A memorable moment was when 30 kids turned up for a sleepover on a Saturday night only to discover a wedding had been scheduled at NSC and they were effectively ‘homeless’. No problem for our intrepid sailor group who shuttled everyone to the Seaforth clubhouse using a variety of boats (gotta love mucking around in boats) for an extra special and even more isolated sleepover – best one yet!

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Figure 13 Plenty of action at the NSW State Champs

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Figure 14 Bec and Eve in Total Control

Conclusion

In summary, the 2015/16 Flying 11 season has been very successful. The club spirit is alive and well, the kids have had a ball and the emphasis has been on fun. Along the way we have a great group of kids who have developed great friendships and are developing as sailors. What more could we have asked for?

A HUGE thank you to Evan Andrews for all his efforts and to all the other parents and coaches who have put in such a big effort to make the season such a success.

Tom Sloane

Flying 11 Captain

Northridge Sailing Club Season Report 2015-16 page 12 Report 2015-2016

We shall miss the starter Richard McFee who is after many decades actually retiring from this most important role in the club. His humour as we prepare for the days racing permeates the deck. We shall have a tough gig to replace him.

PERSONALITIES

Simon Bellamy – great to have a Laser sailor being elected to the lofty position of Vice Commodore

Stephen McCulloch and Richard Monckton have to be recognized for their improvement, and consistency. I don’t think anyone has attended more races than either of these two. And Paul Crouch has had a great season more than once finishing ahead of the usual suspects.

And watch out for Peter Doyle next year as he does not plan to miss as many races due to injury etc

Ian McGregor had a late start to the season as he spent last winter through to November cruising the coral coast with Sue in his 46 foot Peterson

MISSING FRIENDS

After many years of racing Carolyn Hinton has decided to concentrate on her swimming. Great having you in the fleet Carolyn

NEW BOATS

Cameron McDonald, John Smidmore, Paul Crouch, Peter Doyle and Steve McCulloch have all recently acquired new boats to show their determination to improve.

And others have acquired new sails so that there is less blame on equipment.

REGATTAS

Wangi on Lake Macquarie saw a good representation of the usual suspects at the State Masters during the season. (Smidmore, Clare, Alexander, Doyle). Similarly with the National Masters at Port Stephens, Northbridge again punched above its weight.

World Masters in Kingston Canada was attended by Tim Alexander. He last visited Kingston 40 years ago when representing Australia in the Olympics. And the week end before the 2016 NSC AGM and prize giving Tim is sailing his Laser in the South Pacific Championships in Moreton Bay Queensland. 38 years ago at the same event Tim won the open division of Lasers at this event. The motto of this story is “Don’t take drugs, just keep sailing” (The odd Nurafen is allowed for Master sailors)

And a reminder that the World Masters Games are on in Auckland next April. A number of the Laser sailors are thinking of competing.

SHORT RACE FORMAT. The consensus amongst laser sailors that recent increase in the number of short race format race events is enjoyable and gives us more practice at starting.

PATHWAYS WITH LASERS. The advantage of a laser as a “pathway boat” is that there are three rigs with the same . Each rig from the 4.7 through radial to full rig is a strong class in itself with great racing within each rig division both at and outside the club.

Northridge Sailing Club Season Report 2015-16 page 13 CLUB CHAMPONSHIP

Our Olympic sailor Tim Alexander took out the club championship for the 9th or 10th time in the Full Rig Division, setting a fine standard for the rest of us. Steve Penny was runner up, with Ian Clare 3rd, and John Smidmore 4th. The completion for 2nd place was fierce! Congratulations to Cameron McDonald who won the Radial Division

MASTERS CLASSIFICATIONS: Outside of sailing some persons have difficulty reaching an age and stage where they are entitled to a Seniors Card. Despite the financial advantages most take years after being entitled, before actually applying for the “seniors card”. It is a similar story as one works through the different classifications of Laser Master Sailing. We have Apprentice Masters in the 35-44 age bracket, then Masters 45-54, Grand Masters in 55-64, and then Great Grand Masters in 65-74, After that there are the legends. But unlike Seniors Cards, once you attain a certain age you are in a new classification – and we all know about it. No names mentioned here, but we all know who is going through a stage of reclassification. Harden up, you know who you are!

NEW SAILORS WELCOME: The long established core of laser sailors welcomes new sailors. We maintain a club boat for potential new laser sailors, visitors from other clubs from anywhere in the world, or members. This year we have welcomed at least four visiting sailors and we encourage them to return.

RULES REMINDER

Let us take the opportunity to remind ourselves that it is important that the rules of sailing be followed whilst racing at the club. This is particularly important for the regatta sailors, for at regattas no quarter is given.

TWIGHLIGHT TRAINING

For those of us fortunate enough to take advantage of the often perfect sailing conditions in late afternoon, there has been laser training at the club once a week during the season, whenever there is a quorum. A quorum is enough sailors to lift out the boats, and put them away.

Sandy Kiernan

Laser Captain

NS14 Report 2015-2016

This season was a bit of now you see them, now you don’t, except for the stalwart Malcom and Steph team (Samba Pa Ti) who were at NSC most Sundays, if they weren’t away at a regatta. Michael (Carbon Neutral) was away for the first chunk of the season (at ‘that’ Hungarian wedding) and David (Invisible) disappeared in the middle of the season to work on trans-Pacific multi-lateral relations.

Haphazard crewing arrangements gave the opportunity for anyone interested to have a go with eight different crews between the three boats – and both mother and daughter Anne and Sascha Zenari tried to outdo each other. Malcolm lent his CPSC Saturday crew, Miriam, to Michael for a few races (having made sure she had no energy left after Saturday!).

Northridge Sailing Club Season Report 2015-16 page 14 So Malcolm and Steph cleaned up the Club Championship again – becoming a bit of a habit, one that we need to set about breaking next season! Malcolm went to several of the MTs and TTs and he and Miriam also won the Annual Points Score at Connells Point SC.

The Nationals held in Canberra saw a change of team. Michael was going to sail with Anna on Carbon Neutral but at the last moment Hugh decided he couldn’t let his wife have all the fun, commandeered Carbon Neutral and persuaded Rebecca Hancock to spend part of her holidays in Canberra. Luckily Michael was able to borrow Shine from Graeme Lee and Alex Chittenden joined the party with Sarah Warner. With the usual mixed bag of Canberra winds (ie mostly not much), Hugh and Rebecca (sailing with a 10 year old jib and 5 year old main and no training) managed to come a close second with Chitty and Sarah coming sixth.

In February the three boats went on the annual jaunt to Chipping Norton Lake to support the Single-Handed championship. Frustrating as usual but challenging and everyone gets a time in the lead – normally only a short time!

The NSW States sailed out of Georges River club gave rise to more crew changes, this time with the club’s youth having a go. Mike lent Carbon Neutral to Evan Andrews and Maddy Sloane and David lent Invisible to Jordan Girdis and Kiah Hodgkinson; they were joined by Malcolm and Steph and Chitty who teamed up with Sam Worrall. Chitty and Sam came a commendable fifth but young guns Jordan and Kiah upset the ‘oldies’ Malcolm and Steph to come in 14th, one place ahead of Samba Pa Ti with Evan and Maddy only two places behind in 17th in a fleet of 39. Thanks, Steph, for encouraging everyone to get involved.

Two teams represented Northbridge at the MG14 Nationals on Lake Illawarra and endured that disastrous day of 40 knot winds. Peter and Sarah Warner sailed Carbon Neutral and Chitty teamed up with Chris Eddes on a borrowed boat with teams finishing 4th and 6th respectively in a fleet of 34. Carbon Neutral also won the MG14 NSW States again under the helm of Rohan Nosworthy.

Northridge Sailing Club Season Report 2015-16 page 15 With a number of youth interested in the next step after F11s we are keen to promote the NS14 and MG14 as the classes of choice. With one hull you can have double the fun and sail single-handed too! To help with this choice Mike went out a couple of times with Kashi Saunders with Carbon Neutral rigged as an MG. With Mike’s skills somewhat rusty and minimal wind there wasn’t a huge amount of excitement but it was obviously enough to persuade Kashi as the Saunders have now acquired an MG. We look forward to seeing them out next season, hopefully as both an MG and an NS as the circumstances require.

The other interesting bit of news is that the very first NS14 built, the prototype designed by Frank and the small team of Northbridge sailors, is alive and well and still sailing. Named ‘Seraph’, the name being a derivation from the Frank and Nel brought with them from New Zealand, she has been in the same family all this time and has the original sails and rigging and this summer has sailed from Clontarf to Watsons Bay a couple of times. Unfortunately, she broke her round wooden so if anyone knows of one somewhere please contact Mike. Mike has lent her an alloy mast and sails to suit to get around with temporarily and she is seen here with that rig in a picture taken from David Lee’s yacht on a MHYC Wednesday race day.

We look forward to an expanded fleet for next season and we are all happy to discuss any aspects of the classes with anyone who is interested.

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Tasar Report Season 2015-2016

This season Ric and Barb Day, Peter van Roekel and Jenny Sheridan and Tony Stephens and Maz Sorensen were the season regulars with Malcolm Handel racing when travel permitted with one of his “Special Ks” (Kerry or Kim). This was interspersed with Hugh and Anna Tait appearing for the scratch events (when their toddler Zach gave them time off) and Ken Pearson, who while initially unavailable put in some consistent racing at the end of the season. While full of the promise of family bonding at the start of the season, Grant Thurkettle found it hard to choose which of his sons to sail with, resulting in a strong start but a weak finish. Peter van Roekel came up with a better strategy – sailing with his granddaughter Jess Berry, when Jenny was unavailable.

Almost like striking twice, the Club Championship was marked by the unexpected with Tony and Maz coming from the clouds in a drifter to beat Hugh and Anna in Heat 1 in the last leg. In Heat 2 Hugh and Anna got well out in front and then disaster struck with a broken rudder pintle and a DNF. As the series progressed, normality returned with Hugh and Anna consistently winning Heats 3, 4, and 5, and average points for race 6 (due to an Association Event), but carrying the DNF.

Due to combination of very unlikely star crossed hopes and aspirations, Tony and Maz could have (somehow) won the Club Championship in the last heat if they beat Hugh and Anna by two places however Hugh using his superior match racing skills sailed us to the back of the fleet. This did lead to some animated discussion on our boat – shared with all around however despite best efforts, Hugh and Anna secured a second to Ric and Barb in the last heat of the Club Championships, with Tony and Maz third. This gave Hugh and Anna the Club Championship with only one point separating second and third, with Tony and Maz just nudging out Ric and Barb.

In the regular Sunday handicap racing, there were plenty of close races with “featherlight” Ric and Barb making the most of shifty conditions and getting out in front however quite often there was a cluster of three bellowing buoy room well into the race legs. Malcolm Handel was the dark horse of the season – we never knew whether he was going to sail or with whom however both Kerry and Kim seemed to take this in their stride (except when Malcolm called them by the wrong name).

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Somehow I think Hugh will leave less to chance next season.

Tony Stephens Class Captain.

Club Championship 1. Hugh and Anna Tait 2. Tony Stephens and Maz Sorensen 3. Ric and Barb Day Willoughby Shield 1. Tony Stephens & Maz Sorensen 2. Ric and Barb Day 3. Malcolm Handel and Kerry Fyfe Commodore’s Cup 1. Ric and Barb Day 2. Peter van Roekel and Jess Berry 3. Ken Pearson and Silvino Destino Annual Point Score 1. Tony Stephens and Maz Sorensen 2. Ric and Barb Day 3. Peter van Roekel and Jenny Sheridan

NSW Tasar Association Events

When not competing at Northbridge Hugh and Anna Tait made the most of their limited sailing time by entering all of the, Summer Traveller’s Trophy, Metropolitan Trophy and Bethwaite Trophy races held by the NSW Tasar Association. They also headed up to Port Stephens for the NSW State Championships which were held at the venue of the next National Championships and hence drew considerable interstate competition.

They were joined by Malcom Handel and Kerry Fyfe at the combined Traveller’s Trophy Race 4 / Bethwaite Trophy held at Speers Point, as well as the NSW State Championships, where they shared accommodation, coaching tips and some great conversation!

With a very consistent performance across the season Hugh and Anna won the Traveller’s Trophy, Metropolitan Trophy and Bethwaite Trophy. Also, picking up 2nd in both the ACT and NSW State Championships.

Malcolm and Kerry proved that getting to association events improves performance consistently improving to finish a very credible 25th out of 42 and 3rd on handicap at the NSW State Championships.

All 4 are looking forward to more Association events next season, in particular the National Championships at Port Stephens over the 2016/17 New Year Period. They will hopefully persuade a few more NSC Tasars to venture off the deck and up the stairs too!

Event Venue Places Travellers Trophy 1 & Georges River Sailing Club 1. Hugh and Anna Metropolitan Trophy 1 ACT Championships & Canberra Yacht Club 2. Hugh and Anna Travellers Trophy 2 Travellers Trophy 3 & Balmoral Sailing Club 1. Hugh and Anna Metropolitan Trophy 2 Travellers Trophy 4 & Speers Point Sailing Club 1. Hugh and Anna Bethwaite Trophy Travellers Trophy 5 & Woollahra Sailing Club 1. Hugh and Anna Metropolitan Trophy 3 NSW State Port Stephens Sailing and 2. Hugh and Anna Tait

Northridge Sailing Club Season Report 2015-16 page 18 Championships Aquatic Club 25. Malcolm and Kerry (3rd on Handicap)

Hugh Tait

Moth class report 2015/2016 season The Moths have had a good season, not too many westerlies which are very difficult to sail in a boat where you hike with your feet on the gunwale. There have been some changes in the fleet, Ethan has sold his foiler to Andrew Sim who has sailed it a few times at Northbridge as well as Saturdays at Balmoral. Ian and Andrew sailed in the Australian championships in Perth which they enjoyed. I have finally got a new sail which has livened up the competition between the . We are not sure how much Pete Harney will be sailing next season as he and Amy now have Lachlan to keep their days busy. Stephen Hancock has brought his foiler to Northbridge a few times and has discovered just how narrow the bays are when you are reaching at 20 knots. As Andrew says, Northbridge is not the best place to learn to handle a hydrofoiling Moth. It is good to see the Moths sailing out of Seaforth which was one of the foundation clubs for the class in Sydney. Jim Beeston

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

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