To all the members that didn’t sail today you missed out on the near perfect day at the dam. Mostly a 10 to 15 knot breeze with the odd squirt and a few light patches just to keep the skippers thinking.
 
Wayne Turner had rigging problems prior to the first race and had to retire for the day but he will be back next week.
 
With only eight boats left the sailing was very competitive from all the skippers with 5 of the 8 skippers getting the gun.  With 1 race left we had 2 skippers on 6 points, 3 on 7 points and 3 on nine points so it was all on in the final race with Peter Sylvester winning the final race followed by Rod Marshall then Kim Potter and 4th place going to John Hall.
 
The final point score was, Dennis Lees a DNS and finished on 6 points, Phil Turnbull and Andrew Wardrop 7 points, Ray Joyce 9 points, Peter Sylvester, John Hall and Rod Marshall all on 10 points with Kim Potter getting the wine with 11 points.
 
With the weather warming up and only a few weeks to the Summer series starting it would be good to see more skippers on the water.
 
Regard John

The weather gods agreed to give us at least one day of fantastic conditions to run one of our most prestigious state events. Due to prevailing conditions the venue was swapped back to Risdon Brook dam.  It was the right decision.  The mid to top end A rig conditions made for a great day of racing the formula ones of the radio yachting world. (apologies for bias here).

John Cole-Cook stole the show with his impeccable Scalpel and top end racing skills. Congratulations go to Cookie for his dominance on the day.  Eight bullets and his worst placing was a third.
It is great to have him active again in the club, and it sends a big message out for next February's Nationals.

The minor placing were hard fought, and only resolved with a count back between Lisa and Ray; at times only centimetres separated yachts at the finish line.   Peter Sylvester was very close behind and had some excellent boat speed with his Dreadnought (and at last his repaired RMG winch).  Well done with his improved results, and I suspect more to come soon. 

Our collective thank you goes to Stuart Harris for being the PRO of the regatta, and by no means could be called a 'stand in for the day'.  The racing was managed smoothly and efficiently as only a (ex) bank manager can do it.  Many thanks from us all Stu.

​Ray Joyce VC

John Cole-Cook is presented with the RM Perpetual Trophy as State Champion for 2017 by the VC

Podium, L to R.  R Joyce - 2nd,    J. Cole-Cook - State Champion,     L. Blackwood - 3rd.

 
We had 9 entries today which was good considering the forecast.  Ray Joyce had radio problems after the second race and was lucky to get to his boat before it became the second boat in a few weeks to hit the dam. 
 
There were 4 boats that reached double figures Peter Sylvester and Phillip Turnbull ( good to see Phil back ) both with 10 points, Wayne Turner 11 points and the winner this week Rod Marshall with13 points.
 
The weather was a steady A rig with a few holes at times & a solid rain storm in the middle of sailing and although we were down on numbers every skipper sailed well in generally pleasant sailing conditions.
 
Regards 
John Banks  

A hardy bunch turned up for the first round summer (so called) scratch day for the Marbleheads.  Cookie gave us all a sailing lesson with his German engineering marvel Scalpel. He will be the one to chase next weekend with the RM State Championship on the programme. If you are interested to see the RM's racing, this Sunday will be the day. The venue has been changed to Risdon Brook now, and has been rescheduled as a one day event.
Thanks to John Gard and Rod Marshall undertaking the PRO duties. Very efficienty done guys.