RSYS Logbook 2020 Volume 63 Issue 1 - Official Magazine of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron - Royal Sydney ...
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RSYS Logbook 2020 Volume 63 Issue 1 Official Magazine of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
Club Information Contents
Flag Officers From the Helm 1
CEO/Club Secretary
& Committees William Pettigrew – william@rsys.com.au The 2019 Dragon interport 2
Commodore Reception
David Ward A Night on the Waratah 4
House Operations Manager
Vice Commodore Pierre Miller – pierre@rsys.com.au Sydney to Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta 5
Christian Brook Monday to Friday – 8am to 6pm
Of spinnakers and sunfish...
Rear Commodore Saturday & Sunday – 9am to 4pm
Phone: 9955 7171 Fax: 9956 6218 Imalizard’s 2019 Hobart 6
Russell Taylor
Captain Email: rsys@rsys.com.au My first Sydney to Hobart 8
Karyn Gojnich Website: www.rsys.com.au
75th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 10
Honorary Treasurer Finance Department Manager
Ross Littlewood Jane Crispo – jane@rsys.com.au RSYS and the Sydney to Hobart 12
Phone: 9017 0135
David Albert The Hardy Cup 14
John Prentice Functions and Events Manager
Michael Lindsay Frances Allison – frances@rsys.com.au In the Wake of Pirates – Cruising the
John Taylor
Phone: 9017 0156 Caribbean Coast of Central America 16
Membership Enquiries Barranjoey Pin Recipient 18
Sub-Committee Chairs
Michelle Baeza – michelle@rsys.com.au
Sailing Committee Phone: 9017 0157 Laser Nationals and Youth Nationals 20
Karyn Gojnich
Executive Chef Club Life and RSYS Activities 21
Waterfront Committee Ian McInnes
Russell Taylor New Members and 2020 Australia Day
Sailing Office
MarComms Committee Monday to Saturday – 9am to 5pm Honours List 22
Amanda Hicks
Phone: 9017 0152 Card Players Calendar 24
Cruising Division Declan Brennan – Sailing Manager, declan@rsys.com.au
Committee Email: sailing@rsys.com.au House Information 25
David Henry
Waterfront
Cruise Committee
John Taylor
Yacht Repair & Waterfront Service
Ned Brown 9017 0161 repairs@rsys.com.au
Logbook submissions
Election Committee Monday to Friday 7.30am-4pm The Logbook committee welcomes articles from
Robert Albert AO RFD RD Members. These should be up to 800 words,
Tender Service
History and Archives Mobile and VHF with high resolution photos for print production.
Committee VHF radio Channel 73, mobile phone 0405 971 800, CDs and/or USBs can be left at Reception.
Peter Bradford land phone 9017 0161 Please contact Isabel Wartho Marketing and
House Committee Address Communications Co-ordinator for assistance with
David Ward 33 Peel Street, Kirribilli NSW 2061 your Logbook articles, email isabel@rsys.com.au
Intermediates Committee PO Box 484 Milsons Point NSW 1565 or call 9017 0177. The deadline for the next
Jono Carroll Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron edition is 15 April 2020.
Logbook Committee ABN 40 000 002 693
Chris Harper
Membership Committee
David Albert
Bridge Committee Special thanks to those who contributed material for
Elsbeth Hodgkinson this issue:
Youth Sailing Committee Commodore David Ward, Richard Franklin, Richard
Sophie Hunt Lawson, Nigel Stoke, Bruce Watson, Elyse Guevara-
Speakers Committee Rattray, Tim Cox, Nev Wittey, Graham Coutts, Mina
Stephen Wall Ferguson and Gordon Lavery. Front cover: About Time, making her way out
Asset Management Chris Harper of the harbour in the Sydney to Hobart.
David Ward Chairman Logbook Committee Photo Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi.
From the Helm on our website at www.rsys.com.au/members/
master-plan-2020 for the convenience of those
1
unable to visit in person.
by Commodore We are enthusiastic about the many advantages
that this Conceptual Master Plan 2020 will
David Ward bestow on today’s Members and are confident
that it will benefit future generations at our Club.
Turning to immediate matters, many Members
have asked me how they can help their fellow
We are excited to reveal the 2020 Conceptual countrymen adversely impacted by the recent
Master Plan. We believe it appropriately natural catastrophes that have afflicted our
summarises the feedback from our Member country. We certainly have a spirit of comradeship
Surveys, our subsequent feasibility investigations within our community.
and which now proposes terrific development
I encourage you to support one of the reputable
opportunities for current and future generations
organisations assisting the relief and recovery
of Members.
efforts: Red Cross Australia Disaster Relief,
The potential works encompassed by this plan Country Fire Association (VIC), Rural Fire Service
range from short term improvements to longer (NSW), St Vincent de Paul Society. Or if you’d
term projects. They are too numerous to list here like to support the work of our wildlife volunteers
but include redesigning the layout of the CCA; you can donate to: Wildlife Rescue Emergency
enhancing the Neutral Bay Verandah; a new Fund and Foundation for National Parks and
dinghy launch pontoon; extending the ladies Wildlife. There is also a sailing-oriented initiative
lavatories; improved access to the CCA from the from Above and Beyond Boating called
hardstand; a gym facility; a children’s playground; ‘Firefighter family day on the water’.
upgrading our kitchen and clubhouse bedrooms On behalf of the Squadron I would also like to
with ensuites and more… extend a helping hand to any Squadron Member
These projects have been grouped into ‘Stages’, who has been adversely impacted by recent
colour-coded according to a range of filters events. Please contact CEO William Pettigrew.
applied to the projects. And finally, I am pleased to share with you
Our architect’s drawings are displayed along the another exciting development: our new partner-
corridor leading past the Cellar to the Careening ship with PONANT, the luxury expedition cruising
Cove for your information. All Members, when specialists, who will support our Club’s Friday
visiting the Squadron, are encouraged to Twilight series for the next two years. This agree-
review these diagrams and the accompanying ment builds on an established connection:
descriptions to gain an appreciation of the variety Club Member Sarina Bratton is the Chairman of
and scale of developments which have been PONANT for Asia Pacific, and several Members
considered by your General Committee. We have have enjoyed cruises with the company. Members
also published the plans in the Members Area can look forward to some enticing opportunities.
Commodore David
Ward and Vice
Commodore Christian
Brook addressed 200
Members at Town
Halls on 19 and 20
February. Members
unable to attend are
invited to send their
comments on the
Master Plan to CEO
Will Pettigrew.
2
The 2019 Dragon Helming duties for the 2019 RSYS team were
performed by Karyn Gojnich, Ian McCrossin,
Interport Peter Crane, Andrew Howe, Gavin Moss and
myself, and crews were drawn from the ranks
of current and past Dragon sailors.
by Richard Franklin Japan sent a very strong team of 19 sailors,
accompanied by a number of supporters
representing both Kansai Yacht Club and also
the Enoshima Yacht Club which will host Sailing
The Squadron hosted the Pacific Rim Dragon at the next Olympic Games in Tokyo. Royal
Interport Regatta on Sydney Harbour at the Hong Kong Yacht Club fielded a full team also
beginning of December 2019 and our team was but unfortunately Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
successful in placing first ahead of Kansai Yacht were unable to send a team. They had sent a
Club from Japan and Royal Hong Kong Yacht large delegation to the 90th Anniversary Dragon
Club. Regatta in San Remo, Italy and were unable to
The Interport Regatta in its current format was make a second long journey to Sydney.
first run in Hong Kong in 1982. Members Ted The Race Officer for the regatta was Jim Hawkins
Albert, Rex Harrison, Dave Wilson, Peter Murray, who has sailed in many Dragon Interports and
David Dias, Rob Donohue, Grant Jagelman, was well acquainted with the teams racing
Perter McCullun and Iain Moray represented format. Jim was well supported by many volunteer
our Club in that historic event. Members in conjunction with Rob Ridley and
In subsequent years, Royal Vancouver Yacht Declan Brennan from the Sailing Office. The team
Club and the Kansai Yacht Club joined the did an admirable job in trying conditions: light
challenge which became known as the Pacific winds and dense smoke from the devastating
Rim Interport. It has been run (nearly) every year bushfires covered the race area.
Photos by Darcie since those early days. Racing was scheduled for Thursday 5 and
Collington.
The format of the event is teams racing Friday 6 December with finals to be sailed on
comprising three boats per team and teams Sunday 8 December. The lay day was scheduled
compete one-on-one over a number of round for Saturday 7 December to avoid the regular
robin matches. The host club alternates each Saturday Club racing and permit the visiting
year and club boat owners provide their boats teams to conduct some sight-seeing.
for the event. The owners are not permitted to Unfortunately, there were very light winds on
sail their own boats and the standing rigging Thursday and racing finally commenced mid-
and sails cannot be altered (unless a spinnaker afternoon, hampered by dense smoke which
is damaged.) The boats are rotated through the made it difficult even to find the start area.
teams so there is no advantage, and finally, the Only two matches were completed, and the
event is strictly Corinthian in nature and conduct. RO abandoned the third match when it became
Dragons take over the
harbour.
apparent that there was insufficient wind to We are indebted to Brad Johnson who is the 3
complete the race. The RO’s impartiality was current President of the IDA NSW for his heroic
assured as the race was abandoned with effort in pulling the event together. Events of this
RSYS well in the lead. nature, where responsibility is taken for other
It was the same story on Friday but the RO was people’s boats and the well-being of the guests,
able to conduct sufficient races to complete the take up a huge amount of time.
first and second round robins. And finally, the Dragons are a great class of
The final day on Sunday was about as good as boat to sail, offering events like the Interport,
it can be for a teams racing event: a 12kt classic
Sydney nor’easter. A further two round robins
were completed, and the teams enjoyed a great
day’s racing on Sydney Harbour.
After a total of 12 matches, Team Kansai and
Team RSYS were equal on six wins apiece with
Team Hong Kong unable to win a match. The
count back was based on all the actual points
scored between the two winning teams and the
Squadron prevailed with 41 points to 43 (lowest
being the winner.)
In terms of the hospitality afforded to our guests,
we were well supported by Frances Allison and
the House team at our Club in arranging the
on-shore catering and functions during the
regatta. The welcome cocktail party was greatly
enjoyed, especially the very appropriate and
humorous welcome speech by Geoff Davidson,
representing the Sailing Committee.
A spectacular Gala Dinner was held at the Club
on Sunday evening, with Vice Commodore
Christian Brook in attendance. Many gifts and Championships on rotation amongst the States,
handshakes were exchanged and the spirit of and enthusiastically contested European regattas.
friendship that defines the ethos of the Pacific I believe the class will surge again through
Rim Dragon Interport was evident throughout RSYS Division 3 racing. The ‘race within a race’
the event. All our guests enjoyed themselves is proving very popular amongst the Dragon
tremendously and took away great memories community at RSYS. Buy a boat and join in the
of the Squadron’s hospitality. fun, you’ll be made to feel very welcome!
Action packed start.
4
A Night on
the Waratah
by Richard Lawson
In early December, the Cruising Division enjoyed
Right: Graeme and an opportunity to renew our relationship with
Sharron Kennedy the Sydney Heritage Fleet by having our end of
Below: Phil and year get-together on the heritage steam vessel
Kristina Watts and Waratah.
Sally Pixley (centre)
The majority of our group began by meeting at
Below right: Anna
Milsons Point at the Luna Park ferry wharf and
Connery, Trish Stanley
and Peter Lawson catching the excellent Transport NSW ferry
service to the National Maritime jetty at Pyrmont.
Photos Gaila
Merrington. We walked 200m to the Casino Wharf where
we met up with the remainder of the Cruising
group and boarded the Waratah for a 90 minute
harbour cruise around the foreshore of the
Eastern Suburbs and west to Long Nose Point.
We were very fortunate with the weather, as a lot the Sydney Heritage Fleet’s restoration team,
of the bushfire smoke had dissipated somewhat, have achieved. Thank goodness a large part
although there was some haze about. The most of our maritime heritage is in their hands. Crew
memorable aspects of our excursions with the dedication was best demonstrated by the Maori
Sydney Heritage Fleet were the crew who run lady who spent all evening stoking the boiler
the vessels and the quality of the food provided. with coal, thus creating steam to drive the steam
On each occasion we have enjoyed the company piston motor. I only saw her come on deck once
of very friendly and knowledgeable volunteer for a breath of fresh air! I believe we were all in
staff and have had free access to all parts of the admiration of our host crew.
vessels, of which the crew are so proud. Although these visits are somewhat difficult to
As was the case with our previous visit to the arrange, I believe the Cruising Division’s long term
James Craig two years ago, the quality of the relationship with the museum is worth pursuing,
canapés was outstanding with many compliments as many Squadron Members are very engaged
passed to our waiter, who was a fascinating with the Heritage Fleet, and our small involvement
young man. The Heritage Fleet certainly know and contribution supports their hard work.
how to host their guests, as the only item we I think it will be quite difficult to find such a
had to provide was our own liquid refreshment. satisfying activity for the 2020 end of year
The Waratah is a wonderful example of what a gathering and invite you to send me your
group of dedicated individuals, all members of suggestions please!
Sydney to Hobart 5
Classic Yacht
Regatta
by Nigel Stoke
This event was held on the first weekend in
December 2019 by the Cruising Yacht Club of
Australia to celebrate the upcoming 75th Rolex
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
The regatta was open, by invitation, to all yachts
that had raced in the first 30 years of the event.
There were three divisions: two for yachts with
spinnakers and one for yachts with no extras.
Many of the yachts were not frequent race entries
but had been encouraged by a small group of
classic yacht owners who helped and supported
the CYCA with the event. The owners group Above: Fidelis and
had put together a list of more than 50 yachts Lahara
that were known to be still sailing and which
Left: Nerida
would be eligible to join the regatta. Entries
Below: Margaret
came predominantly from Sydney local waters
Rintoul.
but were joined by yachts sailing in from Victoria,
Photos John Jeremy.
Queensland and Tasmania.
We were all delighted that 35 yachts entered
and appeared on the harbour for the first race
on Saturday which was a pursuit race with a
start near Point Piper. Racing was close with
only a few minutes separating the finishers.
There was a formal dinner that evening with
special guests Sir James Hardy OBE and
Adrienne Cahalan.
optimistic that this year’s competitors will call
The Sunday race was quite a spectacle as
for a rerun in future years.
each of the three divisions set off at five minute
intervals from the start line off Cannae Point. The CYCA plans to repeat the annual Great
This was to commemorate and re-enact the start Veteran Yacht Race for the pre 1975 Sydney
of the first Sydney to Hobart race in December to Hobart yachts in May 2020. Hopefully the
1944. Back then, there were still booms across experience of the December regatta will
the harbour entry so the ‘start’ of the famous encourage more boat owners to join in the
race was positioned off North Head. annual historic celebrations.
The yachts which entered this year were all pre Results
1975 build and featured some notable previous Division 1: Love & War,
winners on both line honours and handicap. The Josephine, Fidelis
oldest of these was Katwinchar; she was built in
Division 2: Lahara,
the UK in 1904 and recently restored in time to
Mister Christian, Malohi
make the regatta and to enter the 75th Sydney
to Hobart as the oldest boat. Kathleen Gillett Division 3: Margaret
was in the pond outside the CYCA and although Rintoul, Kintail, Solveig.
unable to race, showcased yachts from the first
race in 1944.
There was strong representation from the
Squadron including Defiance, Jasnar and Nerida.
Margaret Rintoul won Division 3 and Fidelis came
third in Division 1.
The regatta was well supported by the media as
a prelude to the 75th race on Boxing Day. I am
6
Of spinnakers and sunfish…
Imalizard’s 2019 Hobart
by Bruce Watson
through 30kts and in gusts close to 40, the
Imalizard crossing the
yacht at times touching 23kts boat speed. Once
finish line.
in this configuration, over the next hour and a
half, Imalizard overtook 45 boats moving up
from 53rd, to round Cabbage Tree Island in
8th place. Alas, unlike a passage race as with
Hobart, sailing back the same distance upwind
saw Imalizard gradually drop back with PHS
equalising matters to see a finish mid-fleet. So
the secret to a skiff type yacht is to make hay
while the sun shines and put as much distance
between yourself and similar sized competitors
by maximising the speed differential while you
Sailors are said to be a suspicious lot. In the can – a four knot average differential over a day
2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, at 0100hrs on equates to nearly 100nm which is hard to reel in
the second night, our Welbourn 12m Imalizard when, as always happens, the breeze lightens or
had the misfortune to deposit its rig, sails and comes forward and everyone is back plugging
all, deep in Bass Strait. Curiously, once Imalizard along at displacement speed. But you have to be
next lined up in 2019, at 0100hrs on the second prepared to press on and perhaps lose a mast or
night, again crossing the stretch of water spinnaker!
between mainland Australia and Tasmania, the
Imalizard’s six person amateur crew is international
large asymmetrical spinnaker was destroyed.
in nature – four French, one Northern Irish and a
Surely a coincidence?
sole local. Two are women. Half the crew come
The 2019 Hobart was a good experience for from Brittany, the home of outstanding sailors.
Imalizard, repeating its 2016 first on PHS and We look for people who mesh in well, are
also taking out the PHS Corinthian Division. congenial in a tight space – Imalizard was built for
Unlike IRC and ORC handicap systems based two, not six, calm in a difficult situation and who
upon a yacht’s design and measurements, with all look out for each other. Everyone has consid-
naval architects working hard to maximise every erable sailing experience. No one has an ego.
rating advantage, PHS is based upon historical While winning something is always a plus, getting
performance with the handicap changing there safely is the objective with everyone able to
incrementally after each race. Imalizard was laugh at the shared experiences along the way.
designed to a ‘box’ rule based only on length, Imalizard was almost the first casualty of the
with a 10’ draft and water ballast, consistent with 2019 Hobart. At the starting area we saw smoke
the rules for the two-handed Melbourne to Osaka billowing out of the engine compartment. A
Race for which it was built, designed to go fast focussed conference concluded the culprit
downwind rather than perform on every point of was an ingested plastic bag in the water intake.
sailing. Under IRC it rates terribly. While upwind After sailing to the CYCA and using a hose to
it drags too much wetted surface through the flush it out, we sailed back to the start missing it
water, downwind, with plenty of breeze and the by four minutes, we were last over the line. Once
water ballast pumped in, off she goes, regularly out of the Heads and hoisting the big spinnaker,
exceeding 20kts. With the 2019 Hobart a down- Imalizard quickly made up time working though
wind race, Imalizard was in with a chance if the fleet from last, ultimately finishing at Battery
pressed hard and its share of luck. Point in 61st place out of 167 starters and first on
The Hobart precursors demonstrated how PHS and Corinthian PHS. But to finish first you
Imalizard can perform if sailed properly. The have to first finish. On day two we made contact
Cabbage Tree Island Race involved a fair bit of with a large sunfish. This primaeval creature
breeze and saw a substantial proportion of the weighing around one tonne, bumped along the
fleet retire. We put on more sail until we had our side of Imalizard while sailing at 12kts. A metre
largest spinnaker up with the breeze building to the right and the Osaka Category 0 collision
7 bulkhead would have surely been tested! But it heading off. A few years (at least) in the various went on its way and we on ours. coastal races conducted out of Sydney will build The final day. One thing clear on arrival in Hobart is that there the necessary experience and confidence to go is something for everyone, crews, families and further. A few sobering experiences in heavy friends. You are part of something special and weather will focus the mind and expose what big. It is very well organised. It doesn’t matter needs to be enhanced in the yacht itself. As whether your yacht is 100’ crewed by globe- to crew, building a competent, reliable and trotting professionals or a third the size sailed congenial team is key. by those who just want to be in it Offshore racing is not for everyone and given Moving up to a Category 1 race like Hobart the mutual dependence on each other to ensure involves a number of elements. First, you need a a safe arrival, those who become chronically yacht that meets the stability requirements. Most seasick such that a small working crew is further production yachts will satisfy this, but part of the reduced, are better off elsewhere and will thank process involves weighing and measuring the you for it. Everyone has to start somewhere but yacht to generate an IRC or ORC Certificate. there should always be a leadership core with Moving up to Cat 1 safety is not onerous and considerable experience. While also useful, it’s a involves working through a list. It’s not something sign of commitment when a new crew member to skimp on. We go above and beyond Cat 1 with has completed the various courses such as personal MOB beacons linked to the chart plotter Survival and Safety at Sea, First Aid and obtained and extra gear designed to get someone back a radio operator’s licence. The foregoing having on board should they go over the side. We now been achieved, it’s a matter of working things up also carry more fuel in jerry cans than is required and moving forward. Every journey starts with a by the rules. We found it a long way across Bass first step! If so minded, and you are prepared to Strait without a mast. While not required, we wear work up to it, why not give the Hobart race a go? PFDs and are harnessed on at all times. But here’s a tip: be careful in Bass Strait at But a sound yacht aside, it is not just a question 0100hrs on the second night. And watch out of completing the extensive documentation and for sunfish!
8
My first Sydney
to Hobart
by Elyse Guevara-Rattray
2019 turned out to be a great year for my sailing.
I had joined a crew the previous year who
planned to do all the Blue Water Point Score
races leading to the big finale, the 75th Sydney
to Hobart. To do this event had long been an
ambition of mine, as both my father Luis and
partner Phil had participated in the race, and
I wanted to experience it for myself.
So I attended every race, put my hand up for
dirty jobs, climbed the rig and volunteered to run
errands for the boat. These efforts paid off and
I was invited to do the Sydney to Southport
and Hamilton Island Race Week. Unfortunately,
after 10 solid months of campaigning, the
skipper announced that he would not be doing
any further BWPS races this season – and that
included the 75th Sydney to Hobart.
Feeling a bit gutted but not willing to give up,
I found I had to do what doesn’t come naturally
to me: self-promotion! I wrote a brief pitch, stating
simply that I had miles, skills and qualifications.
I pushed this to four skippers via “My Sail” and
eagerly awaited their responses. To my delight,
two responded very quickly and I had a try-out
lined up for the following week. That skipper was
Ian Edwards of Wings, a Dehler 46: a modern
fast cruiser, well-equipped with a great sail
wardrobe and even a coffee machine which I
thought was an on board joke until I saw it for race day, I somehow found myself on the bow
myself. ready to count down the start.
After a quick inshore sail with the team, I was After sailing and racing pretty hard for the last
asked to join them for the Newcastle Bass nine years, I achieved this personal goal – it was
Island race. Less than a week later, I was a wonderful feeling. The start comprised more
offered a position for the remainder of the BWPS, than 160 boats distributed over four start lines.
culminating in the Sydney to Hobart. Wings has The start is renowned for its potential to cause
been a great learning experience for me. It is a early retirements but thankfully it was an
very friendly and supportive boat, and each time uneventful start for our team. We rounded South
we go out, I learn something new. I have had Head, turned right and popped up the No. 3
opportunities to perform many roles and even asymmetrical spinnaker in a beautiful, moderate
steer during races. nor’easter.
My favourite role is the bow (that’s if I can’t steer!) We had a dream run down the NSW coast. For
I relish the physical challenge. I especially enjoy the first 24 hours we had downwind conditions
being on the bow at the start of yacht races; and following seas, and we needed to set our-
it can be tense but also exhilarating to help the selves up to ensure we stayed in the pressure
skipper reach the start right on time or call the the whole trip down. A large wind hole had been
crosses. I had dreamed of being on the bow for predicted for the front of the fleet and we hoped
the start of the Sydney to Hobart. There were that this would close before we arrived without
some very experienced bowman on board Wings allowing the rest of the fleet to compress down
so I really didn’t expect to be there. However on on us.9
expected or had seen at this latitude previously.
It felt like we were sailing inshore and not in the Above: Elyse far left in
‘Roaring 40s’. We approached Cape Raoul with red and crew mates
enjoying the rewarding
its famous organ pipes and made sure we had
sights of a Hobart
the whole crew up on deck to enjoy them. The arrival.
organ pipes are gothic-looking craggy stone
formations and appear very ancient, and are
every bit as striking as the photos. I later learnt
that these dolerite formations date back to the
Jurassic era and the closest similar formations
With good planning from Skipper Ian and
are in South Africa and Antarctica; truly it is a
Navigator David, we had the necessary tools
special place.
to be competitive in the fleet. We had managed
Our run up Storm Bay was fabulous, and as with
to stay in the wind most of the time and only
most of the race, we were fortunate to have the
experienced very light to no-wind conditions for
wind at our back. At this stage we knew we were
what seemed like only two hours of the whole
going to be in well before nightfall, so all shifts
three days.
were suspended and the entire crew was up on
Compared with our Cabbage Tree Island race
deck to enjoy the scenery, the afternoon sun and
when we were forced to retire, our mishaps
great sailing conditions. It only took two gybes
during the Hobart race seem almost too minor
from Storm Bay and up into in the Derwent to the
to mention. We lost our No. 3 asymmetrical
finish line.
spinnaker just hours after I commented how
The Navigator expected us to finish at 1852hrs
strong that sail looked (I’ll be careful never to
and we arrived at 1849hrs on 30 December,
say that again). It wasn’t sailed out of range
cheered on by the jovial crowd that lined the
either. And in Bass Strait we wrapped our No.
foreshore at the Taste of Tasmania festival. We
4 spinnaker around the forestay which sent
were so fortunate to have experienced a dream
Mick aloft for more than an hour to untangle it.
run. I can’t wait to get back on board for our next
At around midday on our third day we saw
offshore adventure!
Tasman Island in the distance for the first time.
The sky was azure with a few clouds, the water
a light blue to match – certainly not what I had10
75th Rolex Sydney
Hobart Yacht Race
by Tim Cox, Commodore
AM RAN Retd
yachts at sea, is High Frequency radio (HF) which
brings challenges with respect to propagation but
is absolutely essential when crossing Bass Strait.
STS Young Endeavour (YE), a tall ship operated
by the Royal Australian Navy, was a gift from the
British Government to Australia to celebrate the
Australian Bicentenary in 1988. For the 75th
RSHYR, YE was the back-up radio relay vessel
under the command of Lt. Andrew Callander RAN
with a RAN crew of 10 including the Captain and
24 youth crew who were returning to the YE for
a second six day voyage, this time to Hobart.
The team spirit and attention to safety by all on
YE was most impressive throughout, as was the
support given to the on board element of the
radio relay team. The achievements of the chef
were in my view exceptional, with Cordon Bleu
meals provided daily (significantly improved since
the 60s.)
Bruce and I joined YE at 1000hrs on Boxing
Day at Garden Island. The ship got underway at
1100hrs and proceeded to sea through a harbour
with a growing spectator fleet and waited for
the RSHYR competitors about five miles east
of North Head. As the yachts cleared Sydney,
YE commenced her passage south at a speed
of about 8kts using both sail and engines to
maintain close proximity to the smaller/slower
yachts, while JBW dashed south towards Hobart.
The first position report on the evening of 26
December was perhaps the most challenging: the
RRV JBW had a poor connection to her primary
HF radio resulting in a poor signal until rectified by
the Kellett team in about 30 minutes. From then
on, the radio communications on HF between
all competitors and the radio relay team were
The radio relay team for the Rolex Sydney to outstanding, far exceeding the achievements of
Top: Tim Cox Hobart Yacht Race (RSHYR) is a critical element previous years. This was further demonstrated by
underway on Young of the overall safety architecture that supports the the 100% success achieved at the Green Cape
Endeavour Check conducted on HF. This is an essential
race. The team is led by David Kellett who has
Above: Bruce Gould been carrying this responsibility for more than report which resulted from the recommendations
on board JBW in into safety following the 1998 race.
20 years. The radio team for the 75th race had
Hobart.
four elements: the motor vessel JBW in charge, YE’s passage south followed a track about 60nm
Hobart Race Control at the Royal Yacht Club offshore until closing the Tasmanian Coast abeam
of Tasmania, CYCA’s Eden and STS Young of St Helens. The twice-daily position reports for
Endeavour with RSYS volunteers Bruce Gould the competitors reporting in two groups, two
and myself on board. hours apart, was without fault, and only two
The principal means of communications, incidents involving inadvertent transmissions on
including twice-daily position reports from all two PLBs in two yachts presented a challenge.11
Bruce and I shared a cabin and greatly Hobart Race Control, we conducted the position
appreciated a daily shower and the fine dining reports for the 14 yachts still at sea off the Young Endeavour
heading south.
on offer. The YE youth crew were challenged Tasmanian coast.
by the RAN team led by Lt. Ivanka Zeko to YE weighed anchor early on 31 December,
complete activities within their three watch teams proceeded to Hobart and anchored off the Royal
which tested both skills and team work while Yacht Club of Tasmania shortly before 1000hrs.
maintaining critical on board safety standards. For the departure of the radio relay team, the
YE closed on Tasman Island on the morning of Captain, Naval and Youth crew all mustered on
30 December in poor visibility – a combination of the upper deck. The Captain presented us with
sea fog and smoke haze – and passed between YE hats and gave us a rousing farewell. The
Tasman Island and the coast before altering inclusion of YE to support the RSHYR radio
course towards Port Arthur. The ship anchored relay team was again an outstanding success,
in Port Arthur late that afternoon, affording the significantly contributing to competitors’ safety.
young crew and passengers an opportunity to Bruce and I would like to thank all on board for
visit this important historical site. At anchor that welcoming us and providing outstanding support,
evening, YE was struck by a thunderstorm with and also the CYCA for welcoming us to their
gusts of 40kts. Nevertheless, together with volunteer team.12
RSYS participants in
the Sydney to Hobart
Euphoria
Right: King Billy
About Time
Right: Ichi Ban
Photo Rolex/Kurt ArrigoLeft: Constitution Dock
13
Below: Josh Chant on Solutions
Below: Galaxy III. Photo Richard Bennett
Isabel Wartho
Left: King Billy
Above: Euphoria
Right: Fidelis14
The Hardy Cup
by Nev Wittey
The Hardy Cup, the Squadron’s annual Grade 3 of our Hardy Cup. I have travelled extensively
We are indebted to the match racing regatta for 18-25 year olds was with our teams and when visiting other clubs,
hard work and dedication held from 3-6 February in the waters just off our I frequently make comparisons that very much
of the many Club
Club. The event comprised 13 teams this year: favour our event.
Members who helped
to make this event such
two teams represented RSYS and we hosted We are fortunate to have the race area right
a success for the 11 teams of elite young sailors from Europe, in front of our Club. Our Members and guests
competitors. USA, New Zealand and New Caledonia as well can enjoy the racing from the comfort of the
Race Management and as Australian clubs. clubhouse over a good meal. Competitors’
on water: Ian Kingsford We welcomed teams from: New York Yacht Club, friends and family can pop in to observe and
Smith, Kylie Wilson, Phil Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club, Royal Danish enjoy the regatta. The sailors also enjoy the
Maloney, Bill Fleming, proximity – they don’t feel like they have to
Yacht Club, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron,
Peter Lawson, Karyn prepare for ‘an ocean race’ as facilities such as
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Noumea
Gojnich, Nev Wittey
Yacht Club and Australian sailors from Royal bathrooms are so very close. At other clubs, we
Billets: The Alexander, might all be miles offshore waiting for hours for
Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Cruising Yacht Club
Griffin, Littlewood,
of Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. breeze, whereas at home we would be waiting
Mansley, O’Shea and
Eight of the 13 teams were placed in the top 100 ashore, in the shade and comfortable.
Kornman families
RSYS staff: Rob Ridley, of the World Sailing match racing rankings, so Hosting the Hardy Cup affords us the luxury of
Geoff Clarke, Locky the competition was expected to be fierce. From fielding two teams which contributed to the rapid
Pryor, Angus Stranack. my perspective as coach, it was a privilege to improvements I witnessed during this week
have attracted so many high quality teams to the and the following when the team competed for
Squadron to compete against and socialise with selection in the National Sailing League. Maddie
members of our Squadron Keelboat Program. O’Shea and her all-female team sailed with older
To get this kind of exposure for our teams without and more experienced heads, kept clean and
out of trouble, and consequently, in my opinion,
a ‘home game’ fixture makes the development
improved dramatically due to the opportunities
process far more difficult, as we then require
the Hardy Cup provides.
Nev Wittey with RSYS invitations from other clubs and associations
Open team: Jack which incur significant travel time and cost. I Hardy Cup Lunch 4 February
Littlechild, Aiden believe our Members thoroughly enjoy and
Mansley, Charlotte
The Hardy Cup lunch was held during the
appreciate our hosting of this event. regatta week and it was wonderful to have our
Alexander, Jed
Cruickshank, The Hardy Cup is a well-respected event on the Event Patron Sir James Hardy OBE address
Jameson Prescott. International Youth Match Racing calendar of the audience. He recalled how fellow Member
events. Coaches and competitors speak highly Bruce Gould had first suggested the concept ofa Youth regatta and then traced its development 15
over the decades to the current format. He firmly
believes that team racing teaches youngsters to
communicate effectively, and that sailing inter-
national design boats draws together clubs and
the sailing community which strengthens our sport.
Commenting on the America’s Cup, Sir James
marvelled at the extraordinary speeds foiling
boats attain and wondered whether the racing
rules and umpires could keep up. Ultimately
though, he embraces the changing scene and
is thrilled at the ‘happy, smiling faces’ of the
competitors.
He then regaled guests with anecdotes from
his illustrious racing career including the 1968
Mexico Olympics, the America’s Cup and stories
about his many companions in sailing. It was a
thoroughly entertaining occasion. Jack Littlechild became our Silver helmsman
and Jed ran the mainsheet for those races. Sir James Hardy OBE
The Carabella Room made the perfect venue – with RSYS Women’s
positioned above the race course with a great We maintained all other crew in their normal
team: Brooke Wilson,
view of the racing in full swing. A number of positions. This solution was enthusiastically
Marlena Berzins, Tiana
guests from participating clubs attended and supported by the umpires and race committee; Wittey, Maddie O’Shea,
were most impressed. I hope Members will get the benefit for the sailors was more exposure Ella Delaney.
behind this initiative to raise funds for the Hardy for another helmsman and the promise of some Photos Darcie
Cup as an annual event. elusive match racing points! Collington.
Jed’s team won nearly all of their races in round
Centreport International Youth Match robin 1. In the semi-finals, he was narrowly
Racing Championship defeated 2-1 by the eventual winner – their boats
This regatta was hosted by the Royal Port finishing overlapped across the finish line in the
Nicholson Yacht Club in Wellington, New Zealand deciding race 3. The petit final races were exciting
Centre: Red Shirts –
from 13-17 February. Our team enjoyed sailing in and closely fought and Jed was defeated 2-0.
Richard Lawson, Alan
Elliott 6s which are a very sporty small yacht. Jack’s team won all their matches in round robin Reece, John Biffin,
The event didn’t get off to a good start: there 1 and also in round robin 2 in breezes which often David Pixley, James
were just five skippers which wasn’t sufficient gusted into the high 20s and occasionally 30+ Merrington, Raoul de
to maintain its international grade 3 status. kts. At this point, all further racing was cancelled. Ferranti, Frank Walsh,
Peter Curran.
A solution was therefore devised whereby a Silver All in all it was a great result for RSYS: 4th overall
Not pictured, Ivo
round robin was created using five skippers from for Jed and 6th for Jack. Our sailors endeavoured Clarke, Glen Madsen
each of the teams, thereby increasing the number to do their best and paid close attention to the and Rene Chapman
of competitors to a total of 10. The Squadron’s advice at our team debriefing every evening. Below: Hardy Cup
nominated skipper was Jed Cruickshank and he They presented well at all times and were great RSYS Women’s Team.
sailed in the Gold fleet. ambassadors for our Club.16
In the Wake of Pirates –
Cruising the Caribbean
Coast of Central America
by Graham Coutts
Stretching in an arc from Colombia through
Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala
and Belize to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico,
the Western Caribbean encompasses some of
the world’s most beautiful cruising waters, but
perhaps some of the least known to Australian
sailors.
Cerulean seas, crystal clear water, constant
nor’easterly breezes and balmy temperatures
combine with uncrowded anchorages, fascinating
cultures, historic settlements, palm fringed
beaches and amazing wildlife to make the area
a largely undiscovered yachties paradise.
Our voyage through seven countries started at
Rio Dulce in Guatemala with a leisurely month
sailing northwards through the cayes and atolls
of the Belize Barrier Reef to Cozumel and Isla
Mujeres off Cancun in Mexico. After a week
exploring the world heritage Mayan ruins of the
Fresh from competing in the last edition of the Yucatan peninsula, we voyaged south to the
Above: Helming WOW Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, my wife former pirate haunts of Utila, Roatan and Guanaja
off Ranguana Caye, Jane and I embarked on a very different style of which form the Bay Islands of Honduras, and
Belize voyage for our next sailing adventure: spending then on to the remote and little visited Colombian
Right: Beach BBQ, three months exploring the coasts, cayes and island of Providencia. This tiny island paradise,
Mexico. coral reefs of eastern Central America aboard once the home port of Captain Morgan and his
WOW, a friend’s Australian designed 45’ racing band of privateers in the mid 1600s, has some
catamaran. of the best beach bars in the Caribbean. Fromthere, we sailed to Bocas del Toro in Panama The reef stretches virtually unbroken along the 17
where we ducked into Costa Rica, before sailing coast providing protection from the Caribbean
eastwards to Guna Yala, formerly the San Blas swells, although crossing it through the narrow
archipelago. We left WOW in Linton, an hour’s and ill-marked channels can provide some
Uber ride from Panama City, to continue her heart-stopping moments. I recall surging through
voyage to Barranquilla in Colombia and eventually a 100m gap to reach San Pedro, a popular tourist
on across the Pacific to Australia. centre on Ambergris Caye as particularly nerve-
wracking – timing the breaking surf and executing
WOW, named after the first word uttered by
a mid-wave sharp turn to starboard tested my
almost everyone who sees her in full sail, is a
skills as skipper and the nerves of the crew.
carbon fibre catamaran, designed and built in
Phuket, Thailand by Alan Carwardine’s Asia Among the many highlights of the voyage was
Catamarans. It is a one-off design based on the the exotic wildlife we encountered during our
many shore excursions: sloths, iguanas, caiman,
company’s Stealth 14, designed for warm water
capuchin and tamarin monkeys, scarlet and
ocean racing and cruising. With a displacement
blue macaws, toucans and armadillos. We also
of only 4.5 tonnes, three double berths and two
particularly enjoyed our stay in Guna Yala, an
250hp outboards which retract into each hull, the
archipelago of 365 tiny, mostly uninhabited islands
14m cat is built for both comfort and speed. She
in north eastern Panama, home to the indigenous,
cruises at an exhilarating 14kts and can be sailed
diminutive and very hospitable Guna people.
easily with a crew of two, although for this voyage
Although most of the sailing was by day, in part
there were generally four on board, including the
due to the need for good light when navigating
owner David Liddell, who had commissioned
the shallow and poorly charted waters of the reef,
WOW and sailed her from Thailand via the Indian
we made several longer passages, spending two
and Atlantic Oceans, taking part in a number of
to three days at sea. We were advised to give the Above: Guna family
races and regattas along the way.
coast of Nicaragua a wide berth, as there had Below: Sloth and
This 2000nm journey through the shimmering been reports of occasional pirate activity. As a toucan in Panama
waters of Central America was a strictly cruising precaution we dowsed our lights and stopped At anchor Providencia,
affair, with ample time to take in the amazing AIS transmissions for the overnight passage in Colombia.
beauty of the remote region and its fabulous that area, although we saw few other vessels.
islands, pristine beaches and spectacular coral During most of the voyage, there were other
reefs and cayes. The Belize Barrier Reef forms yachts and occasional fishing boats within AIS
the world’s second largest barrier reef system range, although the area is much less busy than
and is home to lobsters, rays, turtles, dolphins the rest of the Caribbean.
and all manner of colourful fish. It’s also home It was a fabulous trip, and such a contrast to the
to the famous Blue Hole where the crew spent rigours of sailing across the North Pacific in the
a day snorkelling and exploring the 125m deep Clipper Race. We can’t wait to re-join WOW for
sinkhole. the next leg of her adventures.18
Barranjoey Pin “Sailing in the Olympics was unquestionably one
of the great experiences of my life, creating
Recipient lifelong associations.”
An example of those relationships came decades
later in the Mediterranean. Mark and Carolyn
by Gordon Lavery cruised the Med for three seasons, coinciding
with several Laser Masters World regattas. They
were in Bodrum in southern Turkey when, as
he was returning to shore, someone called out
Mark Bethwaite from a spectator boat. “He said ‘Mark, do you
Barranjoey Pin number 52 remember me? My name is Gingy Michaelis, I
Awarded for Olympic Games Munich 1972, was the Israeli Flying Dutchman skipper next
to you in Kiel.’ It turns out he was also cruising
Montreal 1976, Olympic selection Moscow 1980.
the Med with his wife, so we cruised in company
Forty years before the human resources catch-
for the rest of the season. That’s the sort of
phrase ‘work-life balance’ came into popular relationship that is formed. Going through that
usage, Mark Bethwaite had figured out the Olympics and the searing experience of the
benefits of sailing competitively on the weekends PLO massacre tends to bond you to others
and achieving business success during the week. who have had the same experience.”
Mark spent his early years growing up on the Moving back to Sydney from Melbourne in 1975,
northern beaches of Auckland. His father Frank, Mark resumed his partnership with Tim Alexander
an airline pilot, was a well-known sailor, yacht in a Flying Dutchman and won the 1976 Olympic
designer and author. trials. The pair put in a huge amount of work to
After the family moved to Australia, Mark began get to a second Olympics in Montreal but finished
competitive sailing in Moths in 1961 at the age ninth at the sailing venue of Kingston, Ontario.
of 13 with some success at junior level. “Four years of pretty hard work and we ‘dis-
improved’ by one place – the regatta was even
While studying Engineering at Sydney University,
lighter and shiftier than Kiel!”
he was selected as the Lightweight Sharpie
Mark Bethwaite 1972 skipper for the Intervarsity sailing team. It was Mark gave away the Flying Dutchman when he
Olympics. got back to Sydney and instead teamed with Ian
there he formed one of two highly rewarding
partnerships in sailing. His forward hand was MacDiarmid in a Soling owned by Bob Terrett.
Tim Alexander. With a number of other crew, “Jim Hardy steered Bob’s Soling in the ’76 trials
Mark and Tim went on to win several Intervarsity that David Forbes won. Jim stepped out after the
trials and Bob was looking for someone to steer,
titles and a National Sharpie championship on
so he asked Ian and me.”
Brisbane’s Morton Bay in 1970.
They sailed together as a team for three years
That wasn’t Mark’s first national title. He’d already
and did pretty well, winning a couple of National
won the NS14 Nationals in 1969 in Canberra in
championships. Their goal became the 1980
a boat designed by his father. “My crew was my
Moscow Olympics and they competed at the
then girlfriend Carolyn Evans who became my
’78 and ’79 pre-Olympics in Tallin, Estonia, which
wife of 46 years. We married in ’72, sadly she
would be the Olympic sailing venue. They finished
died in 2018.”
equal first in ’79 with Willie Kuweide of Germany
After the Sharpie win in 1970, Mark and Tim and were confident of their Olympic chances.
built their first Flying Dutchman. They won the
But things went awry at the Olympic trials: ”The
Nationals in ’71 and set their sights on the 1972
long and the short of it is we won the trials on the
Munich Olympics, first heading for the European water but lost in the protest room in what I still
circuit in the Australian winter. They finished third believe was a very unfortunate starting line call.”
in the Worlds in La Rochelle, France.
However, the pair were selected as reserves for
They qualified for the Olympics and with sail the Games in what would have been Mark’s third
number KA rather than AUS so were placed Olympics and Ian’s first. “I was pleased to deliver
alphabetically next to the Israeli crew on the for Ian because he had put his heart and soul into
rigging deck at Kiel. They became good friends gaining selection for the Olympics and we made
and were greatly saddened when the Israelis the team, but the team didn’t travel due to the
were withdrawn from the Games after the PLO boycott after Russia invaded Afghanistan.”
massacre of Israeli athletes in Munich. Admitting that while he felt ‘wretched’ about the
On the water, they finished eighth. “Kiel was a decision not to go to Moscow, Mark’s burgeoning
tough regatta, light and shifty and we were a fast business career, a young family and renovating
boat beaten by big shifts and people who were left him “too busy to scratch myself” and ensured
better in those conditions.” he had no time to dwell on the setback.That’s not to say Ian and Mark did not try out their skills, as Mark did, when one day 19
remain fired up and they decided to use their former Commodore Bill Wood suggested they
incandescence to fuel a campaign targeting too should get out there and have some fun.
the next Soling Worlds. Another mate, Tony Denham, had already
“We really honed that boat to be a highly tuned suggested Mark might try his hand at Masters
racing machine. Ian is very good with systems Laser sailing, so he borrowed a Laser from fellow
and making sure that we could do whatever we Member John Diacopoulos and started in the
wanted with the sails and with things like mast early ’90s.
rake and lower shroud tensions. All those fine “So since ’93 I’ve been sailing the Laser Master
adjustments in a Soling add up to make a big Worlds and I’ve only missed a couple of those
difference. in 26 years. It has just been wonderful fun and
With Glen Read as crew, Mark and Ian won given me a marvellous cohort of Laser sailing
the Australian Soling championships in ’81 and friends all over the world.”
’82 and the Worlds as well in Perth in 1982. In The championships tend to be in some pretty
between the Soling titles, Mark and Ian wanted interesting places around the world and Mark
to keep their hand in, so got into a J24 and won has won his 10 World titles in various divisions:
the ‘81 Nationals and World titles off Sydney! Master, Grand Master and Great Grand Master.
Mark considers winning the Soling World Mark races Lasers on Saturdays out of the
Championship in Perth as the pinnacle of the Double Bay Sailing Club where he’s been based
pair’s sailing career. “We didn’t lose a series from for about 15 years. He was Commodore there
the time of the Olympic trials in 1980 through for a couple of years.
to the ’82 Nationals and Worlds. We didn’t lose
“I think sailing is a great circuit breaker or stress
a regatta and we hardly even lost a race even
reliever – out on the water you purge your
against the best in Australia and the world. I was
thoughts of any business matters and totally
made 1982 Yachtsman of the Year.”
focus on the race. On Sydney Harbour on a
Naturally, the pair targeted the 1984 Olympic Trials Saturday afternoon, particularly on a Laser at
in Adelaide but by then Mark’s business career the bottom end of the food chain, you’ve got
was competing against his sailing ambitions. to be alert to stay alive.
“I had an incredible break business-wise. In 1983 “I love the physical aspect of the sport but also
at the age of 35 I was made Chief Executive the tactics, the starting, the strategy of the first
of North Broken Hill, the 12th largest company work and making the boat go as fast as it can. It’s
in Australia. It was a huge promotion, a huge a sort of innate skill but also a pleasure. I do love
opportunity and a huge job into which I threw the sport and I love the people and the places that
myself, and inevitably, sailing suffered.” it has taken me. Sailing’s been very good to me.”
They still sailed at the trials with Mark going so Mark has often been asked to talk about the
far as to attend a board meeting in Melbourne in transferable skills between sailing and business.
the morning, fly to Adelaide in the afternoon and Not so much the skills, but the mental approach.
use a helicopter to drop him into the water near
“That broadly comes down firstly, to goal setting
the start line. It was to no avail and they did not that is realistic and achievable, then effective
qualify for the Games. preparation, and thirdly execution using the skills
“That was the end of my Soling career but not the that you’ve honed in the preparation phase.”
end of an absolutely marvellous friendship and The future holds more Laser sailing. “I love the
relationship with Ian. I’ve been very fortunate that competition, I love the fact it is sort of instant
my two great crew members over the years were sailing – there’s nothing to alter as Lasers are
Tim Alexander and Ian MacDiarmid and I cherish stock standard, so it is a very Corinthian, very
my friendships with them both.” equal contest.”
Mark didn’t have much time for sailing after Strength and technique naturally fade as time
that until moving back to Sydney in 1987 to passes but the competition in the Masters age
join Renison Goldfields. groups is as fierce as ever. Mark is towards
He and Ian teamed again and sailed Etchells out the top end of the Great Grand Master division
of the Squadron. They had good fun and were a (65–75 year olds) where he’s not as competitive
good, consistent, but not championship-winning, but he’s looking forward to moving into the
boat. Legends division at 75.
Around the same time Mark’s children Campbell “I’ll be competitive again and become one of
and Lucinda joined the Squadron’s Youth Sailing those guys who come into the bottom of the
programme. Many Members will remember age group with no respect for age or reputation,”
standing around on the lawn watching the kids he chuckles.20
Laser Nationals and
Youth Nationals
by Mina Ferguson
At the start of the new year, from 2 to 8 January, three qualifying and three finals. The fleet was
Below: Mina Ferguson I attended the Australian National Laser incredibly competitive, with a large number of
first Youth female. Championship held at Sandringham Yacht Club in international women vying for Olympic selection.
Photo Jon West
Melbourne. There were 274 competitors across Having participated in the NSWIS training
Bottom: photo Tristan 4.7, Radial and Full rig classes. I sailed in the
Brown. partners programme, I was able to gather and
Radial division which was divided into two fleets. discuss data both on and off the water with my
The competition consisted of six racing days: fellow radial Club and teammates Brooke Wilson,
Evie Saunders, Daniel Costandi and Zac West.
This teamwork was greatly assisted by NSWIS
Sailing Head Coach Tristan Brown. Despite a
few setbacks in the event, I placed 53rd overall
and achieved the First Youth Female.
Following the Nationals, I attended the Australian
Youth Championships from 10 to 14 January.
My training partner and fellow Club Member
Brooke Wilson took out the top Youth Female for
this event after a highly competitive two days of
racing. I finished second Youth Female, with our
other fellow team mate, Evie Saunders placing
third. It was terrific to be one of three Squadron
girls on the podium.
With my combined results of the National and
Youth National Championship I was able to
secure a spot in the 2020 Australian Youth Team
as the top Female Youth Radial Laser. I will travel
alongside the top Youth Radial male Michael
Compton (as well as other different classed
athletes) to Brazil in December to compete at
the 2020 World Sailing Youth Championships.
I’d like to thank the Squadron’s ongoing support
through the Youth Committee and the year-
round Laser programme. These regular training
sessions, led by incredible coaches including
Marlena Berzins and Mike Leigh, provide a positive
and motivating environment for participants to
improve their skills. Additionally, I’d like to thank
all my training partners who have enabled me
to push my limits throughout the year, as well
as my parents for their tireless involvement and
encouragement.
I am incredibly proud to be representing the
Squadron at each and every regatta and
am looking forward to doing so again at the
World Sailing Youth Championship in Brasil
in December.You can also read
