Richmond River 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)

Commodore Phill Robbins Newsletter 16 Jan 2019 0466668541

Vice Commodore Jonathan Horsley 0412798505 Perfect start CLUB NEWS to 2019 Rear Commodore Chris Hallett 0414866998

Secretary Nola Hallett 0414866999

Treasurer Norm Hunt HH 66291366

Class Reps Gennakers – Duncan Dey – Col Woodbry Trailers – Ian Michie Monos – Graham Hams

Rowing Officer Gerald Anderson

HHUU Webmaster Pierce

Intermediate Sail Training Graeme Turner 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. EMAIL : [email protected] Jo and Stephan took out a and Seamus and Marko’s son took out a Nacra 350. Congratulations to them for moving to the next level.

WEBSITE: www.rrsrc.com.au A perfect day on the river with lots of action in the Gennaker fleet and lots of river

traffic. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RR sailingandrowing/

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

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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)

th FIRST RACE BACK – 13 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 , 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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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)

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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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)

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 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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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)

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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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)

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 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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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)

Stephan and Jo enjoying their first race in a Pacer.

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