Commodore's Report

This year Club racing after a delayed start was back to normal across all classes, with the skiffs enjoying average weekly fleet sizes well into the mid 20’s. Saturday afternoon saw a growth in the Cherubs, while the Laser fleet was again very strong, all very encouraging signs. Rod Carter, Adam Gillson & Andrew Stone teamed up to claim the Lion Club Championship this year, sailing Insight Building Services.

Bailey James, Robert James, and Jamie Dobinson sailed Schweppes to victory in the Aristocrat Yearly Pointscore. Wonderful recognition for what was a very consistent performance this season, congratulations!

On the representative stage it was Belmont’s time to shine hosting the Australian 16ft Skiff Titles. Rod Carter’s crew sailing Insight Building Services were our highest ranked entrant finishing 6th. The State Titles were hosted by both Belmont and Middle Harbour Skiff Club this season Will Howard’s crew sailing Contender Sailcloth were our highest ranked entrant finishing 3rd. The Cherubs saw their National Championships abandoned due to COVID-19; however, they did compete on a State level. Huey and Dewey sailed by Henry Makin and Jordan Makin were 1st Overall NSW State Championships.

At the club level, Cherub Club Champion this year was Huey and Dewey – Henry Makin and Jordan Makin, while the Cherub Pointscore Winner was Harden Up – Georgia Steenson and Thomas Steenson. In the Lasers our Club Champion this year was Phantom 2– Colin Blanch and the Yearly Pointscore Champion was Krusty Krab – Darren Andrews.

On the Junior representative stage, Flying 11 Cheeky sailed by Marshall Day and Leo Pirret claimed victory in the 2021/22 Flying 11 Australian Championships hosted by Gosford Sailing Club. What an amazing effort and fantastic achievement. Wonderful recognition for what was a very consistent performance throughout the season, well done and congratulations.

Our junior fleets continued to show strong participation on a club level, the Pelican Club Champion this year was Y Knot – Banjo Nicholson and Noah Morris, while the Pelican Pointscore winner was Donut King – Taj Waters and Spencer Beeby. In the O’pen Skiffs the Club Champion was Dunnaruna – Bella Jones, while the Pointscore winner was Thunder Cat – Connor Radford. The Flying 11 Club Champion this year was Cheeky – Marshall Day and Leo Pirret, while Taj Waters and Mackenzie Paterson sailed Nomad to claim victory in the Flying 11 Pointscore. It was fantastic to see so many juniors out each week enjoying their sailing and showing fantastic team spirit and sportsmanship. Congratulations and well done!

As always, I congratulate our various Start Crews, Rescue Boat Crews, Radio Officers, and numerous Volunteers. Without these individuals giving so freely of their time, week in and week out, our racing simply would not be possible. Thanks, must also go to our generous Sponsors, the Club, its Board of Directors, Management and Staff. We are all extremely fortunate to benefit from your support and assistance.

Finally, I would like to thank our Vice-Commodore Mat Waters, our Sailing Committee and Sailing Administrative staff, Nadine Steenson, and Dave Sullivan. Their advice and support throughout the year has been greatly appreciated, contributing strongly to another successful and enjoyable season.