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2016-17 Season Preview
Daylight savings has started & the days are getting warmer. The sailing season is here! Not sure about the other clubs but Teralba kicks off this weekend (8 October), straight into a club championship race. No warmup, pre-point score races anymore. And the newly refurbished (self cleaning) amenities should be ready to try out too. No reason not to rig up and have a sail. Another reason to get excited is to see what has changed in the VS class. The new mainsail rule was passed at the AGM (don’t panic if you weren’t there – it just formalised the rules we have been working to for the past few years) & the first new mainsail has been built. Even better it is from a new loft to the VS’s - it is a Barracouta sail. Mick Fairburn has seen the light & come across from the VJs, readying my favourite boat 2226. It’s had a great paint job & has at least 1 new sail. I can’t recall the crew but I’m sure all in the fleet look forward to welcoming 2226 back to the fleet. The reason I can’t be certain of the crew is because I haven’t spoken with half the fleet for a while. For those that don’t know Tim ‘half the fleet’ Dodds has been away practicing his sailing in Spain for a month. I’ve heard he can speak Spanish, eat tapas, drink a beer, mix the beats, steer a 45’ cat & work on his tan without thinking. That’s because Tim spends his time thinking VS. Don’t tell Liz but Tim now has 4 or 5 boats in his stable. And, as usual, crews are being shuffled around, hence why I have no idea who will be sailing on most boats. But I do know we will see more new sails (hopefully a few from Hugh at Norths) as well as the return of a few familiar faces. Good one Tim! But there has been activity outside the Tim sphere as well. Devocean 2229 has had a paint job & looks sensational, outdoing Paul Boslem Building’s 2233 silver deck. Meeks Real Estate has been less prominent with the painting, but has a new mainsail coming too. Down Hawkesbury way Battleship 2243 is working on a new mast and I’ve heard 2231 may have changed hands & might rejoin the fleet. And don’t forget Alex & Brian. These guys will reappear for sure. With the nationals confirmed at Hawkesbury there is likely to be renewed interest there so start planning now. Tentative dates are 7 to 13 Jan 2017. Plenty of time for you Sydney - Hobart ballasts. As for other dates to plan around,
Look out for NORs for the TT & state series soon. And don’t forget your memberships. Believe it or not I don’t get paid for writing this crap, but the association does need funds to cover insurance & other statutory requirements. If you are going to sail in VS association races & be counted in you have to be a VS member, so why not pay now. Forms are on the web site but of course contact a committee member if you need further info. Hopefully see you on the water soon… Cheers John |
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