By Ian Grant.
Sunshine Coast Olympic Laser dinghy skippers Ryan Palk, Klade Hauschildt and Mitchell Kennedy are well recognised as good mates however the bond of friendship will be tested when they contest the Australian championship on Brisbane’s Waterloo Bay.
Ryan Palk a member of the Australian Olympic squad and coached by Sydney 2000 Bronze Medallist Michael Blackburn is nominated as a championship favourite along with the talented New South Wales helmsman Ashley Brunning.
However Klade Hauschildt and the younger Mitchell Kennedy who also possess a mature tactical knowledge to score top places in big fleet racing on the physically demanding waters of Waterloo Bay are more than capable of racing head to head with Ryan Palk and Ashley Brunning.
Naturally being able to consistently select a clear wind start will be a decided advantage and both Palk and Brunning who raced against big fleets during their extensive regatta tour of Europe will be physically and mentally prepared to contest the front line.
Scoring consistent top places will become difficult for the individual skipper who fails to respect the tricky challenge which is presented when the wind against current creates the notorious ‘Waterloo Slop’
This short and nasty seaway which is often made more difficult to master when excess volumes of water is ‘dumped’ on the deck has been known to sort the best from the rest.
The experience from regularly racing in this tactically demanding environment should provide the Sunshine Coast trio of skippers with a slight advantage but they will also need to be at the ‘top of the game’ in selecting a mistake free strategy.
Racing at the top end in this strict One-Design class always rewards the smartest skipper with the battle involving the three clever Sunshine Coast skippers surely watched with interest by their separate loyal group of supporters.
The pressure will be on Ryan Palk to answer the challenge from his Sunshine Coast training mates and to finish the series ahead of his Australian high performance team partner Ashley Brunning.
Hopefully this mate against mate match race and the important Australian championship series will not be interrupted by storms similar to the beast of a blow and the associated torrential rain that swept across Moreton Bay on Tuesday.
Thankfully the well trained Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron regatta officials always maintain a weather watch on the cloud formation on the South West horizon and have the collective experience to ensure the fleet race in safe and competitive environment.
While the open championship has attracted another impressive fleet including former Australian champion Brad Taylor the battle for the Women’s Radial Rig championship between World championship winning New South Wales skipper Gabriel King and Queensland’s Ashley Stoddart promises to become a close match race.
Ashley Stoddart who first started racing nationally as an enthusiastic 11 year old has the proven experience from training and racing on Waterloo Bay and this is expected to favour her to maintain her career ambition of winning selection as a future Olympian.
Australian 12m Historic Trust – Supporters & Members,
A quick email to let you all know that LEG 5 will commence, departing Brisbane 4am 28th December 2011. Both the KA-5 Australia and KA-14 Steak n Kidney will be making way for Sydney, in preparation for the New Years Eve fireworks celebration 31st Dec.
There are still several places available for delivery crew. if you’re looking to participate NOW is the time. Both yachts will be departing 4am 28th Dec. Contact Benjamin Morgan on 0415 577 724 to discuss crewing.
DELIVERY INFORMATION**
LEG 5: Brisbane to Sydney Harbour
475 Nautical Miles – Average Speed 7kts – 67.85 Hours Sailing
DEPARTING 4AM 28th DECEMBER 2011
*** CREW POSITIONS STILL AVAILABLE – CALL 0415 577 724 ***
Brisbane Rivergate Marina to Brisbane River Channel Entrance
Brisbane River Channel Entrance to East Channel
East Channel to Cowan Point
Cowan Point to East Channel
East Channel to North Point (Moreton Island)
North Point to Flat Rock
Flat Rock to Cudgen Head
Cudgen Head to Cape Byron
Cape Byron to Abeam Ballina
Abeam Ballina to Abeam Coffs Harbour
Abeam Coffs Harbour to Abeam Port Macquarie
Abeam Port Macquarie to Seal Rocks
Seal Rocks to Nelsons Bay
Nelsons Bay to Abeam Newcastle
Abeam Newcastle to Sydney Heads
Sydney Heads to Darling Harbour
Best regards,
BENJAMIN MORGAN
President – Australian 12m Historic Trust
australian12m.com
Mobile: 0415 577 724
Email: benmorgan@australian12m.com
PRESERVING AUSTRALIA’S 12M AMERICA’S CUP HERITAGE
The Corsair Association of QLD website is up and running !
This Multi platform website makes it now easier then ever to view results, stay on track with up coming regattas, view photos & much more.
Soon we will be releasing our Facebook & Twitter pages to not only keep in touch with all of our members but to reach out to sailors that have lost contact with the association over the years.
Check it out -
Any Questions Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Enjoy !
Kind Regards,
Mitchell Tucker
Secretary
Corsair Association of Queensland
Easter in Sydney top a strengthened event schedule for 2012
The Australian Access Class Association is working with yacht clubs and State Sailability Associations to stage six class championships in 2012. The regatta season kicks off on the
15th January with the inaugural Tasmanian Access Class Championship, to be hosted by
Derwent Sailing Squadron in cooperation with Sailability Tasmania.
The climax of the Access regatta season will be the Access Class World & International Championships, to be hosted by Middle Harbor Yacht Club, with the support of Sailability Middle Harbor, Sailability NSW, Macquarie Group Foundation and the NSW Government. This is the first time that the Access Worlds have been staged in Australia.
The waterways around MHYC will be busy this summer with the NSW championships, an AACA National Coaching Clinic, culminating in the Worlds. IACA Executive Officer David Staley is expecting around 120 sailors to be competing in Access 2.3, 303, Liberty and SKUD 18.
| For the Access Worlds and the coaching programs that precede the racing, the AACA and MHYC are looking to charter Access boats and safety boats. Details from the event website www.2012accessworlds.mhyc.com.au or by emailing David Staley david@accessclass.org. Volunteers are sought in a variety of areas. Contact is Commodore Julie Holder commodore@mhyc.com.au |
Internationally, 2012 is a big year with the London Paralympic Sailing Competition being staged from 1–6 September at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, UK. Australian teams in each of the classes – SKUD, Sonar and 2.4mR – will be competing for medals.
In accordance with the Paralympic selection timetable, Yachting Australia will nominate team members to the Australian Paralympic Committee during the month of February unless the window is specifically extended for a particular class. A number of elite sailors who have come through the Sailability system are vying for selection.
Major sailing events 2012
15-16 January
Tasmanian Access Class Championship
Derwent Sailing Squadron
26th January
Australia Day Regatta
Manly Yacht Club/Sailability Manly – Access 303s
27th January.
Coaching Clinic for State Championships competitors
Middle Harbour Yacht Club
January 28 & 29
New South Wales Access Class Championships
Middle Harbour Yacht Club with Sailability Manly
www.accessclass.org/?Page=30801
3-4 March
South Australian Sailability Championships
Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club
11 March
‘Be Active’ West Australian Access Class Championship
Royal Perth Yacht Club
www.rpyc.com.au/index.php?id=69
17-18 March
Victorian Access Class Championships
Lysterfield Sailing Club,
24/25 March 2012
Special Olympics ACT Games Regatta,
Sponsor Bendigo Bank, hosted by Sailability ACT
Lake Tuggeranong
4-5 April
AACA National Coaching Clinic
Middle Harbour Yacht Club
(Supported by bequest from the late Jim Brown)
7-13 April
Access Class World & International Championships
Middle Harbour Yacht Club
www.2012accessworlds.mhyc.com.au
1–6 September
2012 Paralympic Sailing Competition
WPNSA, Portland, UK
http://www.london2012.com/paralympic-sailing
September tba
IFDS Blind Match Racing (Homerus) Worlds GBR, RNCYC,
Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland
27-28 October
Special Olympics ACT Multi Sports Mini-Games
Sponsor Bendigo Bank, hosted by Sailability ACT. Lake Tuggeranong.
17/18 November
Special Olympics ACT Race and competition training hosted by
Sailability ACT, Lake Tuggeranong
Issued by Graeme Adam, Public Relations, National Sailability Committee of Yachting Australia. Email: graemeadam@sailability.org Phone: 02 9959 3323
Sailability Australia is the Australian arm of the international Sailability movement, with eight state or territory Sailability associations and some 65 branches/programs nationally. Australian sailors with disabilities are represented nationally by delegates on Yachting Australia’s Sailability Committee (nominated by State Yachting Associations) and internationally through Yachting Australia’s membership of Sailability World, the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) and the Australian Paralympic Committee.
The Australian 12m Historic Trust is calling for crew members to help deliver the KA-5 Australia and KA-14 Steak n Kidney from Brisbane to Sydney Harbour, arriving for the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Departing Brisbane RIver we intend on sailing direct to Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, then onward to Sydney Harbour boxing day!
For more information regarding the voyage, please contact;
BENJAMIN MORGAN
President – Australian 12m Historic Trust
australian12m.com
Mobile: 0415 577 724
Email: benmorgan@australian12m.com
PRESERVING AUSTRALIA’S 12M AMERICA’S CUP HERITAGE
The two yachts are warhorses of Australia’s many challenges in the famed America’s Cup. Constructed to meet the design rule of the 12 metre class the two yachts represent an era of America’s Cup racing when the competing yachts were designed to be both elegant and fast.
Both yachts have been acquired by the Australian 12m Historic Trust which was formed for the purpose of acquiring, restoring and preserving Australia’s former America’s Cup 12 metre rule racing yachts. The trust is an all volunteer organisation, based in Sydney and is led by trust president Benjamin Morgan. ”It’s quite a privilege to be in a position to participate on such a historic venture and is also very challenging. You cant help but feel we are custodians to some very important pieces of history and I know I speak on behalf of our volunteer members in saying we are all very proud to be helping save these yachts”, he said.
Both yachts had been previously in port at Mooloolaba on the sunshine coast, sponsored by the Mooloolaba Yacht Club (MYC) at the wharf. During the three day stay, both yachts took part in an America’s Cup experience giving locals and the media an opportunity to see the two icons in action. The days activities were featured on both Channel 7 and Channel 9 news.
MYC members also took part in the delivery sail between Mooloolaba and Brisbane with the KA-5 Australia taking line-honours on arrival to the Brisbane River. With the 1983 America’s Cup battle song “I come from a land downunder” in full song, the crew of the KA-5 Australia were greeted by passengers aboard the departing cruise ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, chanting “Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie” and giving a big thumbs up to all aboard!
The two yachts are on display at the Brisbane Rivergate Marina and the public are welcome to come down to inspect across this weekend.
“Our crews will be on hand to give visitors the opportunity to inspect the two yachts and we welcome anyone who has an interest in the America’s Cup and in yacht racing to come see them.”, he said.
The two yachts have been sponsored by Tourism Wollongong and feature bold forestay flags carrying the “We Love the Gong” campaign messaging.
Membership to the Australian 12m Historic Trust is open to all persons. Should you have an interest in sailing, yacht restoration or history, you are invited to make contact.
Website: http://www.australian12m.com
For media contact:
Mr Benjamin Morgan
President – Australian 12m Historic Trust
Mobile: 0415 577 724
Email: bmorgan@australian12m.com
Website: http://www.australian12m.com
DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOS ATTACHED:
All images supplied are credited to: Tracey Johnstone – Mooloolaba Yacht Club at the wharf
IMG_8346.jpg KA-14 Steak n Kidney & KA-5 Australia engaged in a tacking dual
IMG_0513.jpg – KA-5 Australia Crew Crossing the Brisbane River Finish Line
DSC_0167.jpg – KA-14 Steak n Kidney Crew Sailing toward the Brisbane River Finish Line
By Ian Grant.
Sport loving Queenslanders will have a feast of entertainment to watch after they celebrate the traditional Boxing Day lunch with family and friends.
The colourful spectacle of the Rolex Sydney Hobart blue water classic start will be broadcast live on channel 7 while the Boxing Day test between Australia and India on channel 9 will no doubt provide the ‘arm chair admirals’ with the perfect excuse to leave the noisy lawn mower motionless in the garden shed.
There is an interesting challenge for the aquatic punters to make a choice on the first yacht to finish with the Hamilton Island Yacht Club super maxi Wild Oats X1 rated as the favourite to win the line honours title ahead of Investec Loyal, Wild Thing, Lahana, and Ichi Ban.
However even this possible prediction stands to be challenged by a number of important factors including the prevailing weather which again is expected to be controlled by the savage ‘Southerly Busters’ that roll over the horizon from The Great Southern Ocean.
As expected even the most experienced weather forecasters are not prepared to provide a long range forecast.
But they have retained an interest in the vigorous 992 low pressure system which gain turned the storm tormented Tasman Sea into a no go zone earlier this week.
Hopefully there will not be a repeat of the horrendous conditions of 13 years ago when the Hobart classic was dramatically turned into a test of survival.
Naturally the media attention will be focused on the big boat battle where the Bob Oatley owned and Mark Richards skippered Wild Oats X1 the current race record holder is favoured to record her sixth line honours from seven races.
Her crew were particularly impressive in winning the Gun Boat of the series during the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in August.
The Wild Oats Xl crew revelled in the challenge to cleverly master the moderate to fresh and frightening winds claiming a perfect score by winning all short course races with comfortable margins over Investec Loyal and Lahana however the warm water racing around the Whitsunday Islands has little comparison to racing on the cold waters of the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait when they are in a stormy mood.
Almost every minute of the 628 nautical mile blue water classic presents a challenge and while Wild Oats Xl remains as the line honours super star there are a number of equally impressive smaller yachts who have both the crew and the hard core Hobart race experience to win the race outright.
Among the top choices is the new sloop AFR Midnight Rambler co owned by experienced Sydney skipper Ed Psaltis and Mackay navigator Bob Thomas winners of the toughest Hobart in history in 1998.
Local Sunshine Coast skipper Bob Robertson and his talented crew have the potential to rate Lunchtime Legend as a major challenger along with Loki, Ragamuffin, Dump Truck, Victorie and the 2009 champion the Andrew Saies helmed Two True.
By Ian Grant.
Merit the former Globe race Volvo 60 will have plenty of loyal supporters when Whitsunday Sailing Club skipper Leo Rodriguez contests the gruelling Rolex Sydney Hobart Race starting on Boxing Day.
Every person who has either experienced sailing on this famed 1997 vintage Volvo race yacht along with her huge fan club of international, national and Whitsunday Sailing Club members will again monitor Merit’s progress.
However there is no written manual on the best tactical strategy to apply but the Merit crew who have the distinction of safely executing a rescue at sea and later awarded the Performance Handicap class win for their effort will be again testing their skills in unfamiliar conditions.
None of the previous 66 blue water classics have been the same with the race to experience standing on the stable Constitution Dock after 628 gruelling nautical miles of ocean racing this year expected to test the best against the rest.
Naturally the crew of warm tropical water sailors are not expecting another mid race rescue however should there be a call for help the Merit crew who are fully trained professional mariners will transform their role from racing to execute a safe rescue.
The Merit crew like all other Hobart Race crews are expecting to face another searching test of individual endurance which promises to be spiced with a number of hidden challenges.
They remain aware that the open waters of Bass Strait between Green Cape and the landfall sighting of the Tasmanian coast has a significant history of presenting a supreme test of combined endurance and team work.
Generally this stretch of open sea normally tormented by gale strength winds and foam crested waves has proved to be a decider in achieving a major result or finishing back in the pack.
However while Merit will be racing in her 14th year she has the proven design and construction pedigree to master the growling seas and howling winds.
Hopefully the Merit crew will not face to many hidden challenges when they set the course to finish in the top 20 on line honours and complete the course with a faster 3 day 9 hour 18 minute 53 second elapsed time from 2010 to feature in the Performance Handicap class top 3 in 2011.
By Ian Grant.
Wet and very windy weather is expected to prevail when the launching celebrations for the re-vamped AUDI Centre Sunshine Coast sponsored Alegria V are held on the Mooloolah River this Saturday.
Owner skipper Rod Jones has gambled on a tried and tested Bruce Farr designed former International champion 50 class ocean racer Heaven Can Wait for a personal challenge on Australia’s major blue water classics including the Rolex Sydney Hobart and the Brisbane Gladstone Race.
Under her original owner the popular Middle Harbour Yacht Club skipper Warren Johns the sloop showed her class winning major class regattas in Europe and taking line honours with former World Contender champion Peter Hollis at the helm in the 2006 Brisbane Gladstone Race.
All of the well proven speed potential has taken on a totally new prospective with Rod Jones winner of two AUDI Australian offshore championships with smaller yachts expected to inject a competitive challenge when the re-vamped Alegria V competes in the Queensland Cruising Yacht Clubs Surf to City race in mid January.
Meanwhile his core crew of champion sailors including World Etchells champion Bucky Smith, talented navigator James Walker, Beijing Australian Olympic team coach Adrian Finglas, and the highly skilled Gregor McAllansmith and Sean O’Rourke have the proven combined skills to honour the expense of injecting a modern rig into the older generation ocean racer.
This decision has become the result of intensive consultation with designers, riggers and sail makers and has promoted some interesting conversations around the Australian ocean racing scene particularly in her former home port of Sydney.
As expected Rod Jones and the high performance OceanBuro sailing squad who have the distinction of already displaying two AUDI Australian Ocean Racing championship trophies and a fourth place at the 2011 SB3 World championship in the trophy locker have created a lot of interest with this latest project.
But while the entire computer based predictions suggest the speed sailing modifications to Heaven Can Wait have theoretically introduced a promising new career it will be up to the crew to place the results on the board.
There is no doubt that both skipper Rod Jones and his experienced crew are looking forward to test the ‘sail-fast’ modifications in the maiden race in mid-January.
“All of the work in the boatshed is complete and following the launching it will be down to the business of crew training”. Rod Jones said.
Hi All
Well we have reached the half way point of the season – this Sunday is our Club Championship Heats 5 and 6.
I am really looking forward to a good turn out to finish this half of the season – our next race back is not until 29 January 2012.
I thought I would remind skippers of what they are racing for – please see the attached image of the trophy for the monohull Club Championship Trophy – the Bruce Hall Trophy.
Derek Bain was the last winner of this trophy way back 2001 – that tells you how long it has been since the trophy was awarded – we are so lucky to have our dam full again.
The Club Champions listed on this trophy are:-
81/82 Ian Templeman “Cooby Damsel”
82/83 Ian Templeman “Cooby Damsel”
83/84 Ian Templeman “Cooby Damsel”
84/85 Dave Phillips “Oh-Kay”
85/86 Steve Collins “Melandra”
86/87 Steve Collins “Melandra”
87/88 Brian Gale “Sailagere”
88/89 Steve Collins “Melandra”
89/90 Steve Collins “Melandra”
90/91 Ron Collins “Tecumseh”
91/92 Derek Bain “Serefinn”
92/93 Darryl Priaulx “Sailagain”
93/94 Brian Gale “Sailagain”
94/95 Ian Templeman “Gale Force”
95/96 Brian Gale “Sailagain”
96/97 Brian Gale “Sailagain”
97/98 Derek Bain “Serefinn”
98/99 Derek Bain “Serefinn”
99/00 Dale Blazely “Ralphie Too”
00/01 Derek Bain “Serefinn”
Before the next heats I will list out some of the past Catamaran Champions.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Safe sailing!
Jason Elliott
Darling Downs Sailing Club Inc
PO Box 2114
TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350
Ph W 07 4639 2511
Ph H 07 4632 7575
Fax 07 4639 2566
Web www.ddsc.com.au
Email ddscinc@gmail.com
Sailing at Loveday Cove Cooby Dam about every second weekend (other than school holidays) – see our website for a full calender
All welcome – come and enjoy the fun