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DECEMBER 2010
DOWNWIND Racing Association Newsletter
Chairman’s Report…. Traci Ayris
Diary Dates December Wed 1:
Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight R7
Fri 3 :
Boating Showcase at CYCSA
Sat 4:
MUSTO Offshore R3 - Tapley Shoal & Inshore / Offshore R3
Sat 4:
Coaster R4
Sun 5:
Kids Christmas Party
Sun 5:
RSAYS Women’s Racing Series R2
Wed 8:
Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight R8—RSAYS Combined, River Race
Sat 11:
Club Inshore Series R5/ J24 Club Inshore Series R7 & 8 / Multihull R3
Sat 11:
CYCSA Club Christmas Party
Wed 15:
Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight - Ladies Helm Standalone / Chairman’s Cup
Sat 18:
Coaster R5 & Inshore / Offshore R4
Sun 19:
RSAYS Women’s Racing Series R3
Wed 22:
Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight R9 / Series Presentation
Sat 25:
Christmas Day
Mon 27:
Boxing Day Public Holiday
Tues 28:
Proclamation Day Public Holiday
Ballast Head Cup
Mon 3:
New Years Day Public Holiday
The recent combined Twilight race hosted by the RSAYS saw a fleet of fifty boats racing in the river. Whilst REX appreciates that some skippers eschew river racing, there are others who enjoy races such as the Portline Cup simply because they provide exciting close quarters racing. It was great to see some club boats who don't usually make it to our regular twilight races out racing in the river as well that night. The next combined twilight will be held in the leadup to Lincoln Week. Hosted by the CYCSA, this race will be conducted along the same lines of our usual twilight races in that the course will be set out in open gulf waters with no river component. You may have noticed the J80 around our club during the Premiers Cup. I seized the opportunity to head out with Ray and Sandra (JBoat agents) and Rob Sellick for a bit of fun and even in an extremely light and flukey river breeze the boat was fun to sail. As I understand, a number of boats are under consideration at this point in time but my short ride aboard the J80 had me thinking forward to the day when, thanks to the CYCSA/RSAYS Sail Development Committee, we will be able to program some exciting inter-club match racing for a fleet of brand-new, versatile one-design boats.
January Sat 1:
It's hard to believe that we are already nearing the half-way point of our racing season, it hardly feels like Summer is here at all! Weather-wise we've had a bit of a mixed bag so far: some races have been postponed following extreme predicted winds while other races were sailed on mirror seas. Due to my own time and previous work commitments I've been unable to make a commitment as a full-time crew member on a boat this season, instead, I've been out sailing when I can on many different boats and I have to say I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I joined Andy and the Two True crew for an Offshore race, I've raced down the coast on Another Planet, jumped aboard Rapid 1 and Dr Feelgood for the odd Twlilight race and (almost) sailed an inshore with Rob Sellick on Young Einstein. Perhaps there are other racing members out there at the moment who also could be finding it hard to commit to a full Summer campaign but, as I'm finding, that doesn't mean one has to give up sailing altogether. Many of our Skippers are always happy to grab an extra hand on race day and the social aspect of jumping aboard different boats can be extremely educational and in the main, always enjoyable.
Sat 8:
Coaster R6 / Multihull R4
Wed 12:
Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight Series 2 R1
Sat 15:
Club Inshore Series R6 / J24 Club Inshore Series R9 & 10
Sun 16:
RSAYS Boat Picnic at the Bay
Mon 17:
Marine Academy School Holiday Program
Tues 18:
Marine Academy School Holiday Program
Wed 19:
Marine Academy School Holiday Program
Wed 19:
Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight Series 2 R2
Sat 22:
Club Inshore Series R7 / J24 Club Inshore Series R11 & 12
Sun 23:
RSAYS Women’s Racing Series R4
Wed 26:
Australia Day
Wed 26:
Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight Standalone—Early start (1500)
Sat 29:
Club Inshore Series R8 / J24 Club Inshore Series R13 & 14
Sat 29:
CYCSA Garage Sail
Looking forward in the shorter term, a number of activities and events are in the planning for Easter/ Anzac Day at Port Vincent. Mostly, it's not a lot of fun to set ground tackle when you're aboard a racing yacht so if your boat is "windlass-less" a marina berth should be booked as soon as possible. Our Port Vincent Marina is expected to be extremely popular with recreational boating enthusiasts and it would be a pity to turn away our own members during that holiday season if the marina is fully booked. In closing, we thank our valued sponsors and I urge you all to recognise and consider them whenever possible. I myself am looking forward to serving some of Greg Patten's most excellent Canegrass Lamb (available at the Central Market) for my family Christmas dinner and there's no doubt at all that a few Yalumba, Penfolds and Georges wines will be consumed along the way. On behalf of the Racing Executive I take this opportunity to wish all racing members and their families a safe and most happy festive season. I also thank my fellow REX Members, volunteer Duty Crew and our Racing Manager Jess Hargreaves for their time and hard work to date and I hope they enjoy a wonderful Christmas break until racing resumes again in the New Year.
DOWNWIND • CRUISING YACHT CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA RACING EXECUTIVE WWW.CYCSA.COM.AU