At last we got back to our DF95 twilight series at Montrose tonight. Seven starters fronted for a eight close scratch races in A rig NW winds on a falling tide. At the end of racing it was Richard on 21 points from Tony B on 28 points, Cliff 31 points, Kyle/Lisa 32 points, Col 33 points, Rod 35 points & Dave 46 points. A pleasant evenings racing. Hopefully when we meet again in January at least one set of launching steps will be in operation. 
Have a happy Christmas
Cheers Andrew 

It was a top end A rig breeze from the south on Sunday.  Firstly a solid run down to the outer distance mark, and then a great upwind beat back home to the finish.  There was ample opportunity to shake out and tweak VMG performance, not to mention the four hours keeping up with he boats as they sped off downwind.

Jammy and Lynne Jones put on a delicious BBQ again, and Lynne's fruit cake made my day!  Thank you both from all the skippers. I'm sorry for those who didn't make it, it was one of those 'out of the box' kind of days.

This day was the last of the Long DistancePerpetual Trophy series for 2017, and the overall results for the first three placegetters  are: 1st - Ray Joyce, 2nd - Wayne Behrens, and 3rd - Stuart Harris. 

Best to all,
​Ray

The dam provide light winds from midday on and some close racing was witnessed in both classes of racing.
 
There were 2 DF95 boats racing and with their handicap were hard to beat and both finished in the top half of the fleet.
 
Wayne Behrens has sold the pencil to Phil Turnbull and has now learn how to sail it although it won’t be long before he has sailing like the previous owner.
 
Our Commodore sailed in a few races but decided the leg still needs a bit more time to heal.  It’s now been a week off 12 months since Dave had his accident, and speaking with many of the members of the club they believe that he has done a very good job this past year.  He has been PRO nearly every Wednesday and also on the weekends even through the winter he sat in the cold  so that another member could sail. He has certainly been a big help foe me on Wednesdays, Thank you Dave. 
 
Dave was again the PRO today.
 
With an early lunch at 1130 sailing started at midday With the scratch boats starting first. We had 5 starters and David Jones was yet again the helmsman to beat.
 
David finished with 12 points followed by Ray Joyce on 16 points, Chris Wood and Rod Marshall 17 points and Andrew Wardrop 0n 21 points.  Who is the person to stop David?
 
The handicap racing had 11 starters with good sailing in every race and there was 5 different skippers getting the gun. Geoff Matthews had 2 wins. 
 
The final point score was close but Rob Gavin won the day with 15 points followed by Rob Cooney, Wayne Turner and Peter Germein with 14 points, Geoff Rainbow (DF95), Dave Williams (DF95) and Geoff Matthews 12 points.  Then came Ted Laing 10 points, Don Mcloud  and John Banks 9 points and then Phil Turnbull 6 points.
 
The Commodore and myself will be interstate next week and we both hope that you have good winds and fair sailing.  
 
Andrew has 2 bottles of plonk for the winners.
 
I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.
 
Wednesday 
Coordinator 
John Banks

A series of 13 races were held at Montrose on Sunday 10 December.  John Gard did a great PRO job of running a series short sharp races with some slightly longer races thrown in the mix.
 
The conditions were WNW and B rig was the choice of skippers.  At times the breeze abated and A rigs were considered but then heavier gusts would remind the skippers to stay with B Rigs all day.
 
Michael Hickman was a late starter due to some home duties taking longer than anticipated.  
 
David Jones had some battery issues which slowed him down for a couple of races.  Peter Germein was a welcome addition to scratch racing and showed great speed at times and he was thrilled with the  close racing experience.
 
The racing was challenging with willing starts and a  day of great racing was enjoyed by most skippers who all suffered some frustrations at times.
 
 
Chris Wood
​​

Congratulations go to John Cole - Cook for a fantastic result today, and to the runner up, Michael Hickman followed closely by Lisa Blackwood. It was a day of attrition.  Les Hanson did not get a mention in results due to unreliable transmissions, thus four out of the eight starters had to retire.
All skippers going for their C2 rigs in the very strong breeze. A few pics will appear when time permits.
​Ray

Attached is todays sailing results.
 
Handicap Results
 
In light and teasing wind with shifts around the compass the sailing turned out to be very close.
 
In first place with 24 points was Phil Turnbull, Dave Murfet ( sailed by Peter Sylvester) 23 points, Kim Potter 22 points and John Banks 21 points.  These were followed by Don Macleod 18points, Wayne Turner 16 points, Geoff Matthews 14 points and Peter Germein with 9 points. There were 5 skippers  who took line honours to day.
 
The Scratch boats had a fleet 6 starters and David Jones made it 2 weeks in a row. 
 
David finished with 12 points, Rod Jackman 13 points, Andrew Wardrop 16 points, Wayne Behrens 17 pints, Rod Marshall 19 points and Ray Joyce 24 points.
 
I hope to see more sailors on the water next week as the weather can only improve.
 
My thanks to David Murfet who again was PRO and he kept both fleets on the move, well done Dave.
 
Wednesday Coordinator
John Banks     

What a pleasant surprise on Wednesday we had 18 skippers on the water sailing in 2 classes.
 
John Cole Cook thought he would give  Wednesday sailing a go which was good keeping the scratch boat skippers on their toes.
 
Peter Germien has returned from the big island to our north and put on a good display of sailing.
 
Ted Laing had his old boat on the water again, thinks it’s better than his new one.
 
Chris Wood also sailed his first Wednesday for a long time.
 
Hopefully they will all to continue to support Wednesday Sailing.
 
As usual the dam had very light to no winds at all early in the morning but around 1130hrs the wind started to freshen just enough to set a course and get some sailing done.
 
Due to some discussion among some of the members last week we decided to sail with 2 fleets with scratch and handicap racing at the same time which saw some good racing in both fleets.  We hope to continue this during the summer season.
 
There were 6 skippers in the scratch events  with 4 skippers getting the gun. 
 
David Jones won the day with 13 points followed by John Cole Cook on 15.  Andrew Wardrop was next on 20 points with Chris Wood and Rod Marshall on 27 points with Stuart Harris on 38.  Ray Joyce sailed one race but was assisting a female member from Swansea radio yacht club with her new boat which Ray has been putting together for her.  He did finish 4th in race 4.
 
In the handicap racing we got in 6 races for the day with 6 different skippers winning on the day.
 
Peter Germien on his first day back won the bottle of plonk on 22 points from John Banks on 18 points. Then followed John Smith 16 points, Wayne Turner 15 points, Tony Brewer 14 points, Our lady visitor ( well coached by Ray) 6 points, Phil Turnbull and Don Mc Loud with 5 points and  Geoff Matthews sailing his DF95 2 points.
 
There could have been more sailing on the day but a committee meeting was starting at 1430hrs so everyone was packed up and gone by 1400hrs. A pity as the breeze was a constant SE  with perfect sailing conditions.
 
I certainly hope to see you all there again next week and maybe a few more members either sailing scratch or handicap.
 
Our Commodore Dave Murfit sailed some early races then offered to PRO for the day.  With both fleets at times finishing at the same time he did a great job getting the right sail numbers on the right sheet. You did a great job Dave.  What will we do when the leg gets better.
 
Regards 
John Banks 
Wednesday Coordinator