NOVEMBER 2011
1
DOWNWIND Racing Association Newsletter Diary Dates December Sat 3:
Offshore R3 / IRC R5 / Mini 2
Sat 3:
Coaster 4
Sun 4:
RSAYS Ladies R2
Wed 7:
Twilight R8
Sat 10:
Inshore R6 / IRC R6 / Multi R5
Wed 14: Ladies Helm Standalone Twilight Sat 17:
Coaster 5 / Multi R6
Sun 18: RSAYS Ladies R3 Wed 21: Twilight R9 SERIES PRESENTATION
Mon 26: Proclamation Day
January New Years Day
Sat 7:
Coaster 6
Wed 11: Twilight Series 2 - R1 Sat 14:
Inshore R67 / Multi R7
Sun 15: RSAYS Ladies R4 Wed 18: Twilight R2 Sat 21:
Many of us have experienced the challenging agony of a slow offshore race and the recent Haystack race was yet another example of how fickle the winds can be at this time of the year. In an attempt to elicit comments from his crew at a particularly frustrating point of the journey Geoff Boettcher was prepared to listen to anything “even lies”, whereupon one brave crew member quipped “Your nose isn’t big and it looks good !” Crew camaraderie, even in a less than ideal situation, is without doubt one of reasons we love to race and Offshores in particular have the ability to make good crews stronger whilst fragmenting weaker teams. As we look towards Lincoln Week this is the ideal time for skippers to begin finalising crews and confirming accommodation arrangements. The rumour mill is buzzing with speculation that we could expect to welcome an even larger contingent of interstate boats than usual as there seems to be some disgruntlement across the border regarding the finer details of Geelong Week. The washup remains to be seen but the welcome mat is certainly out for any boats who might choose to race with us in February. Our Phil Hoffman Travel Twilight Series is well underway and once again I remind skippers to check with Jess if conditions look to be a bit iffy on the Wednesday. We are mindful that many people travel a considerable distance to make the start line so we do try to make a final decision by 4pm (then cross our fingers that it was the right one!)
Sun 25: Christmas Day
Sun 1:
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Kaesler Cup / Inshore R8
Thur 26: Australia Day Standalone Twilight
We thank Sportsmed.SA for their sponsorship of this years’ Premier’s Cup Regatta, a weekend which had it all. Challenging conditions on Day 1 saw the fleet fighting out windward leeward battles in gusty conditions. A broken boom fixture saw the retirement of Two True and other incidents included bingles on the water, crew members in the drink and (unfortunately) casualties requiring ambulance assistance. Thankfully day 2 provided more benign conditions for the long fixed mark race and it seems that overall the weekend provided plenty of topics for Patio talk. We thank Deputy Premier John Rau for making the time to attend our Presentation (fantastic also to see his son, Jack crewing on Another Planet). REX congratulates Geoff Boettcher and his Secret Mens Business 3.5 crew on their Division 1 win, yet another prestigious title to add to the long SMB 3.5 list. Congratulations also to the crews of Young Einstein (Division 2) and Jumping Jack Flash (J24 PHS and OD).
Sun 29: Chairman’s Cup Sun 29: RSAYS Ladies R5
TRACI AYRIS RACING CHAIR DOWNWIND • CRUISING YACHT CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA RACING EXECUTIVE WWW.CYCSA.COM.AU