Let's get this party started!!!!

Hi All, 
The Nor’easters are starting to fill into Cockle Bay so it must mean something. Yep, I’m dreaming.Teralba never gets good Nor’easters & we all know it. But the days are getting longer & warmer & sailors have been
spotted around the sailing clubs so the new sailing season must be on us.  So to get you motivated I thought I’d better let you know what is going on. Firstly a bit of housekeeping. 
Memberships, boat registration, capitations& other associated documents & fees are due now.All forms are posted on the website & have been forwarded byAdam. We need members to keep the association going (& pay insurances). And without an association you end up sailing a boat that was once a VS but is now nothing (like the VJs have become).  
Travellers & State series NORs have been completed and have also been distributed. These documents include all of the regatta dates so if you haven’t already done so have a look & start planning your season. 
And entry to both series is $0. But to be in either of the series you need to be entered before the series starts. It makes sense to me – the number of entrants affects all results. Also I cannot think of any other sailing class that would allow a boat to rock up mid regatta & accept an entry. The first regatta of the State & Travellers series is Taree on 27th October. Of course members don’t have to enter either regatta series to be eligible for individual race prizes, so if you are late with your entry or don’t want to be in either series don’t
worry – you are still welcome.  We award the race results amongst the association members at all races. 
So you can join the association at any time. But if you are not a member  when you get a good regatta result? 
What a shame!!!
And don’t forget this year’s National titles are at Sunshine.  6 – 12 January 2013. NOR will be available soon. 
The committee has listened to the members & elected a local, accessible,affordable, friendly, light to moderate breeze venue.  Could be the end of an era for some so we’ll be sure have a good time. 
OK. Enough of the soapbox!!!! I’ve been hibernating throughout winter so have not heard much except of the commotion around Ol’Yella. The boys took to her with a grinder & as you can see on the website she will emerge a different boat.  With a bit of rig work to come, this boat will be a scratch favourite. Also hitting (& kicking) the grinder was Tim & the SFC Computer boys. Tim is always tweeking & was worried about his nose. 
I’ll bet there are a few more changes in the pipeline…. I’ve also heard Bozo & Mick Turton have taken to their boats with grinders.  Just don’t forget to put them back together again….!!!!! 
Righto.  Some serious stuff for those who want statistics and like to analyse everything. Check this out…

OK. I agree this is not as exciting as seeing Miley Cyrus with a shaver but let me explain. The above table shows the proposed 2012/13 season handicaps & how they are derived. Each season I simply look at last season’s results & record for each heat the time a boat finishes behind the winner. These times are aggregated (minus the worst heat to avoid anomalies) & averaged to calculate the handicap. For a sanity check this is then compared to the last season carry-over handicap. Boats that are on higher handicaps are then generally given a lift, whilst the defending champions are usually given a slight penalty. Whilst other classes penalise boats for new rigs & crews by returning them to scratch I don’t think this is fair because if the scratch boat does the same it gets no penalty. As the season progresses handicaps may be adjusted but generally are not altered too much. It has been found that tying to manipulate a handicap based on early races results in the boat being slaughtered later in the season.  I am pleased that the handicap titles for the past 5 or so season have come down to the last race. The only tip I would give is to sail as many races as you can. If only 4 boats start you will finish no worst that 4th!! Plus you will get a handicap raise….!!!! 
Did I mention that?  Come the nationals the handicaps are allocated using a similar philosophy. The handicaps from the association races this season are averaged & compared to the seasons starting handicaps. The higher handicap is used.So if you sail any races before Christmas your handicap might rise (but definitely won’t be worse). 
Another reason to be an active member??? 
See you on the water soon.
 
John Hodda
VS Race Secretary