29er states
Day 3 - Tight at the Finish
The forecast for Sunday was not at all promising, with strong winds forecast for later in the day. The PRO called for an early start, but with no wind, racing was delayed until 11:15. The wind went from 0 to 20 knots in the time it took for sailors to get onto the water and some of the newer sailors struggled in the stronger breeze. However, after the initial squall, the wind settled and gradually dropped off during the afternoon. At the front of the fleet, the first two boats were trading first and second places with only one point separating them at the finish. A little further back, third through seventh place were separated by only a couple of points, and with four races for the day, it was difficult for crews to keep track of their overall placings until back on shore.
Thank you to all those who contributed to the event: Volunteers from RBYC and 29er parents, RBYC for providing all rescue boats, members of the Victorian 29er Association, Garry Hosie the PRO for his time and use of his boat, Martin Sly for the clothing provided at presentation, and also to the sailors, who put on an excellent display of skill in tricky conditions.
Day 2 - A Shifting Breeze
Saturday provided a great day for the newer sailors to the fleet with a 12(ish) knot breeze and flat seas. Unfortunately it was also a bit shifty and with a few gusts, there was some swimming during the day for some of the newer sailors. For the last race of the day, the PRO decided to give sailors a bit longer race with a three lapper instead of the two lapper for all the other races. Unfortunately some sailors didn't read the course board or couldn't count and headed for the finish with another lap to go causing a bit of confusion on the course.
Back on shore, a BBQ on the deck and a few drinks for the parents and volunteers proved a great end to the day
Day 1 - A quiet day
The first day of the 29er State Championships was a quiet day on the water with only one race possible before the wind died and everyone retired for the day. Will Sheers and Jade Mackay lead after the first lap, but were eventually overtaken by Bec and Jarrod Tuma on the second lap. After a brief wait on the water the race officer sent everyone ashore and while the sea breeze threatened to fill in, at 2:30pm all racing was abandoned for the day.
Racing continues on the weekend of March 27 and 28th.
The Event
Royal Brighton are be hosting the State Championships for the following classes on March 14/27/28th 2010.
In addition the 505 Class is making a comeback at the club with several club members now sailing 505's. To mark the occassion, the club is running a 505 Kickoff Regatta at the same time.
To enter the event, please click on the link and left and have your Visa or Mastercard ready to complete your online payment. As parking is at a premium at RBYC, we urge you to come back to the website just prior to the event to get an update on the process for getting your boat in and out of the club smoothly.
International Race Officer Gary Hosie will be PRO for the event, ensuring top quality race management for all sailors, and theclub welcomes all sailors in these classes to the event.
To all Competitors
To everyone competing this weekend at Royal Brighton, we welcome you to our club and hope you have a great weekend of sailing. Just to make sure everyone has a great time and understands all the arrangements, you may like to have a read of the following.
Entry/Exit
RBYC is not blessed with a lot of space for off the beach boats, but with a little bit of organisation, and co-operation from the sailors, drop off and pickup can work quite smoothly. When you arrive on Sunday morning, drive in through the public carpark in front of the Brighton Baths, the gates to the club will be open so drive down into the club, unhook your trailer and then drive your car out of the club grounds and park your car on the streets. Parking within the club is for Senior Club members only. It is recommended that you take your boat off your road trailer as soon as possible and park your road trailer in the boatyard in the northern end of the yard. You can either rig your boat in the repair area, or take your boat directly onto the beach. Rigging in the southern end directly in front of the Sabot shed is not recommended as there will be a lot of other boats all trying to use this area.
Boat Storage
Unfortunately we will not be able to store boats from this weekend until the 27th and 28th March, and you will have to take your boat from the yard at the end of the day.
Food
Lunches and snacks are available from both the Sabot shed in the boat yard near the beach, and a full service cafe and club bar upstairs in the main club house. The cafe area is fully carpeted and is not accessible if you are in wet weather gear, so I would suggest that you purchase your lunch from the cafe before you dress to go on the water or from Sabot Shed. However, you will need to order your lunch from the Sabot shed as soon as you arrive, and it will be made up for you to collect. However, as the first race is at midday, an early lunch might be in order.
Registration & Briefing times
Registration will be in the Sabot Shed in the south end of the yard between 9:30 and 10:30am, followed immediately by a skippers briefing on the veranda downstairs of the main club house. If you want you mother/father/wife/girlfriend to get a text message with your results, make sure you give the mobile numbers to the registration crew. And please check your sail number to make sure we have your correct sail number. Incorrect sail numbers after registration will incur a one Bundy and Coke fine to be paid directly to the scorer.
Keep clear areas
On shore, please don't go into the main clubhouse (other than the change rooms) in wet gear or with a lot of sand on your fee. In the yard, please don't rig or leave your road trailer in the southern area of the yard as it gets very busy. Road trailers in the keelboat repair area please. On the water, when you leave the beach keep to the left until you are almost out to the marina and then proceed up the channel. There has been a large buildup of sand on the right towards "doggy beach", so keep left to keep your centreboard intact.
Other happenings at the Club
This weekend the club has a lot of other activity, running the Club Marine keelboat series, normal club racing as well as two courses for the Sabot State Titles, so five courses in all on the first Saturday and four courses on Sunday. So the important thing is that there will be four start boats on the water on Sunday and you need to make sure you go to the right one! At the briefing we will be able to show you the start boat for the 29er/505 crews as it will be moored in the marina. Also show a little courtesy and if you are not racing, try not to sail through another classes course if possible.
