Long Distance Handicap Round 3

​Well, what can we say – IOM Woodies take out the top three positions. Phil Jackman returning to Montrose, skilfully sailing his Idiom into first place on 20 points. Andrew Wardrop came in second just one point behind Phil and Rod Marshall also sailing very consistent coming in third on 26 points. Of note also, Chris Wood’s Woodie not placing outside the top four.
 
Welcome back to Montrose as well, to David Jones, who showed he has lost nothing, coming in fourth place. We also had Justin Rogers returning to IOM racing, after a successful day at the DF65 event the day prior (more to come later on there). Welcome to new member, Phillip Krause, with his first day sailing with us, with the Club “A”. He will soon be a regular as well on our sailing days. Please introduce yourself to him and extend the warm RBRYC welcome.
 
Les Hanson had the Pro hat on again today, and he set about making some good courses in the very light early air – a difficult task. A great field of thirteen skippers were sailing today – a great turnout for a Long Weekend holiday, and makes good the decision of the committee to return to Long Weekend sailing after suggestion by some members. We had stopped the Lon Weekend sailing in the past due to poor turnouts and the perceived reasons of people wanting to get away for those weekends.
 
We got five races in before retiring to the MBYC clubrooms for a BBQ lunch and social chat. From all accounts, a very enjoyable break in proceedings and something we do need to have more often to promote the social side of the club. Thanks to my little sidekick, Ryan, for sorting out the lunch requirements and hot drinks for the sailors during the break. Lisa was also kind enough to share some of the spoils of her victory in the DF65 “Peter Smith Memorial” racing the day prior by breaking open one of her wonderful Puddleduck Red Wines for all to share.
 
After lunch, another five races were completed, with the last a double size course from what I was told.
 
The day – from an outside view – certainly looked very peaceful and enjoyable, and I am sure both, our returning sailors and our newest new member were all made to feel welcome throughout.

On other sailing news;

• The Puddleduck DF sailors had their “Peter Smith DF65 Memorial Regatta” yesterday. It was very well represented, with fourteen skippers sailing. RBRYC was well represented on the day, and the fantastic efforts of Lisa Blackwood (Champion), Phil Turnbull (2nd) and Justin Rogers (3rd) are to be applauded. From all accounts (I was not there, but have heard back from no less than 6 people who were there), the event was run very professionally, with Pro Stuart Harris laying down the ground rules very early at the briefing, and with a few thoughtfully modified rules for the event, made it a very enjoyable day’s sailing, with very few incidents and no raised tones whatsoever. Modified rules being the no tolerance whatsoever for arguing or raised voices(especially important given its family environment and business location). The Pro’s decision was final with no avenue for protest, and the multi heat system used, in my opinion, was better than how the HMS system is actually used. Congrats must go to Colin Johnson for his planning and organisation of the event. Having done similar in the past, I know how much it takes, and how many sleepless nights you rack up wondering if anything was missed. Sounds like you absolutely nailed it Colin. There are definitely some lessons to be learned for other clubs (including ours) from the day, both in organisation and execution. If anyone is interested in having a look at the sailing, the link to the RC Toys Website is at https://rctoystasmania.com/forums/topic/peter-smith-memorial-regatta-puddleduck-vineyard-07-06-2020/

 

• Risdon Brook Dam Update – I have finally received correspondence back from TasWater in regards to the water levels at the dam. Kate (the Community Engagement Officer) received news back from the field team, and they estimate that it will take 3-6 months to get the dam filled back up. How this happens, is that the Bryn Estyn Water treatment Plant prioritises its water to go to the municipal water storages first, and once filled, the spare that is left over then goes to Risdon Brook as the backup storage. As water demand drops over the cooler months, Risdon Brook will start to see increased water levels again. Not sure what this will mean for the entire winter period for us, but we wont be moving from MBYC to the dam until the water is up to a level that is safe for our members to walk to the jetty (and safe to lower/raise the jetty as well).

 

• This coming Wednesday is our regular IOM Handicap as MBYC. 10am start with the first hour being scratch warmup races, and then in to the set of 8 handicap races.

 

• Next Sunday, 15th March is our DF95 Scratch Series Round 2. We are inviting all sailors from other local clubs to also come and sail with us, so are hoping for a great turnout. After today’s well received BBQ lunch, we are planning to do the same. There will be a little organisation needed by the committee around a possible earlier start time to allow for a middle of race day BBQ, but we will confirm that in the next few days.

 

• Coming soon – The RBRYC AGM will be coming up soon, so please have a think about the direction the club has been going in the last little while, with some thoughts on what we have been doing right as a committee/club, and also thoughts on what we could do to improve as well. Any thoughts/comments can be passed to me in confidence if you wish, and can be brought up to the current and soon to be voted in committee for some direction that we may need to concentrate on for the coming year. Please also put some thought into whether you would like to join the committee to help guide the club to be as good as it can be. Fresh eyes and ears are always welcome.