1
AUGUST 2014
DOWNWIND Racing Association Newsletter
Diary Dates
August Sat 2: PASC Icebreaker Series Sun 3: PASC Port Line Cup Sun 10: Winter R6 & Presentation (RSAYS) Sat 16: Short-handed R7 Sat 30: Short-handed R8 & Presentation
September Sat 6: Commodore’s Dinner Sun 7: Father’s Day Sun 21: CYCSA Safety Day
October Mon 6: Labor Day Public Holiday Wed 8: Skipper & Crew Briefing Sun 11: Inshore R1 Sun 12: RSAYS Women’s R1 Wed 15: Twilight R1 Sat 18: Offshore (Orontes) R1 Sat 18: Coaster R1 Wed 22: Twilight R2 Sat 25: CYCSA Opening Day Wed 29: Twilight Standalone Sternchaser
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT This is my final Chairman’s report before the reins are officially handed over to Rob Sellick who will head up the ongoing Racing Association Committee. For more years than I care to count I’ve been a part of this committee in various capacities and it has been both a challenging and rewarding experience in that time. My reasons for stepping down completely from the Racing Association Committee revolve around work commitments, the fact that I am now spending quite a lot of time interstate and that I have also taken on a Board position with the South Australian Living Arts Festival. I’ll certainly remain a member of the club though and intend to join in with future racing and social activities as time allows.
In my tenure I’ve seen many changes and, without doubt, there are more challenges ahead however I’m sure that Rob and his Committee (Vice-chair William Strangways and members Adrian Wotton, Shevaun Bruland, Mark Hutton and Steve Power) are more than up to the task. In recent times it has been interesting to see many skippers embracing AMS and I look forward to seeing how that progresses over the seasons ahead. I do believe that high-level competitive yacht racing as a sport will continue to evolve but there is, and will always be, a strong component of “social” racers who remain a fundamental component of all keelboat clubs. It seems to me that there are many boats within our marinas which don’t get to stretch their legs very often, even in a sedate way, and I find it a little sad. I hope that we’ve been through the J curve and that we’ll soon see more and more “cruiser-racers” wishing to step back aboard and rediscover the wonderful social life that revolves around Yacht Racing at the CYCSA.
I’d like to thank all members of past racing committees and the entire CYCSA staff for their support and help whilst I was carrying out my role as Chair and in particular I wish to thank our wonderful racing manager Jess Hargreaves whom I was constantly in contact with. Jess is the glue who holds everything together and I’m sure my inbox will be far less cluttered from this point onward. Please continue to communicate your thoughts and suggestions for the committee via Jess or an elected member as it’s so important that they understand and can deal with any concerns from members. In closing, I thank you for your friendship and camaraderie over the past ten years or so. I wish you all a wonderful Spring/Summer season of racing and look forward to catching up now and again on the Patio.
TRACI AYRIS OUTGOING RACING CHAIR
DOWNWIND • CRUISING YACHT CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA RACING EXECUTIVE WWW.CYCSA.COM.AU