Sailing Report

The Sailing Report

Season Summary

Terry O'Grady

The Sailing season for the year is coming to an end, it has been a good year of racing despite the challenges we have all faced. The coveted Champion Boat Trophy is being hotly contested by a number of boats still in contention for the title.

Over the summer, the ORSSC sailors spread their seagull wings far and wide and have represented the club at numerous invitational races such as that held by the Sun City Yacht Club and at the Walpole In The Trees Regatta.

Here is a summary of those two events.

Regatta in the Trees - Walpole

This year the Walpole Yacht Club hosted their annual Regatta in the Trees over the Labour Day, March 5th-7th long weekend, 116 sailing vessels were nominated for the event and ORSSC entered two Windrush 14 catamarans. 13 club members, family and four dogs made the trip to Rest Point Caravan Park for aquatic fun.

Sailing conditions were close to ideal for the two days of racing. Sarah Phipps and Dylan Hess entered a catamaran that Sarah had only purchased 4 weeks before the regatta. Ian James and his daughter Mikayla also entered a catamaran that had been lying idle on the family farm. Sarah and Dylan won their class in the Windrush 14 division, finishing strongly with 1st place in 3 out of the 5 races in the series. Ian and Mikayla picked up a 2nd in a race but an unfortunate capsize in the last race took them out of contention.

By the end of the weekend, one of our other young sailors purchased a Windrush on their way back home which will add some more friendly competition to next year’s regatta. Over the winter break, the young sailors intend to renovate the Windrush’s to make them more competitive and faster.

The Spot Races – Sun City Yacht Club

ORSSC filled 7 of the 19 entrants for the race on the 12th of March. The race was won by Scott Blanchard (SCYC) in a Laser, Isabella Utley (SCYC) 2nd also in a Laser with Trevor Gillmor and Paul Phipps (ORSSC) on a “420” rounding out the places at 3rd. Erin Osbaldston and Brian Boylan took home the chocolates for coming in last. There were also two rescues performed by the volunteers at Two Rocks Marine Rescue during the race due to gear failures and for coming in too close to one of the rocks, fortunately, no injuries were sustained, other than some damaged pride. All in all, it was a great fun day and was finished off with a lovely lunch and a few beverages afterwards at the SCYC clubhouse.

Regatta in the Trees, Wapole: Ian James and his daughter Mikayla.

Regatta in the Trees, Wapole: Sarah Phipps and Dylan Hess

The Spot Race: Setting up in the Marina Photo Kellamity Jane's Keel Repair Operation.

The season has not been without a few mishaps along the way however and there are several boats in contention for a not so salubrious trophy, the “Wreckers” Award. Here are the front runners so far.

The "Wreckers" Award front runners

• Paul Phipps managed to drop Kellamity Jane’s keel off on the beach near the clubhouse after a cable snapped. • Andy Hodkinson seemed to be a little confused as to which side of a red navigation mark one is supposed to keep to, subsequently placing

Venomous upon a rock in the marina and to then have to suffer the ignominy of being towed off by Sea Rescue after his keel had become jammed. • Scott Forrest forgot to put the bung in his

Etchell yacht before launching, to save

Whimaway from sinking at the boat ramp and in front of his young female crew who were in the boat at the time frantically bailing out the fast-incoming water, he had to quickly strip down into his budgies, dive into the cold briny and screw the bung back in under the water.

The girls were treated for shock and offered counselling after the event.

Terry O'Grady

Rear Commodore, Sailing