RACING REPORT

The last three months have been enormously challenging for yacht racing everywhere in the world, with no exception for the CYCSA. The Club worked with Australian Sailing and local authorities to get boats out on to the water to start the winter season in June, a little over a month later than originally planned which is a great result. The Racing Committee thanks the Club volunteers and officials for getting things re-started. We hope to maintain a sense of normality as we prepare for the summer season, so fingers crossed. The Short-Handed Series has been tremendously successful this winter with a strong fleet of ten entries with six from the CYCSA, three from the RSAYS and one from the PASC plus at least two casual CYCSA entries in most races. The first race (13 June) was abandoned due to high winds, with Race 2 on 27 June held in very light conditions which is typical of the winter weather patterns. This race was won by Robert Large in Inukshuk, the re-named New Morning III, a Northshore 38 set up for double-handed racing. As a side note, Robert is aiming to compete in the Sydney to Hobart race this year in the new short-handed division. Second and third places were taken out by Take 5 (Steve Martin) and The Tribe (Dan O’Connell). School’s Out (Adrian Wotton) held out Inukshuk on AMS handicap by just 30 seconds to take the win in the unofficial AMS race. Race 3 on 11 July saw light conditions continue challenging the Race Officer to get all boats in before the time limit expired (apologies to The Bottom Line and Golden Cowrie who didn’t make the cut). The win was taken out again by Inukshuk from Touch ’N’ Go with School’s Out the best performing CYCSA entry. Finally Race 4 on 25 July saw a bit more breeze but it was still pretty light. First place went to The Tribe from Touch ’N’ Go and Shilo’s sailing couple, Tony (Snow) and Sarah Belton, new members to the Club. With two races left Inukshuk has a four point buffer over the fleet and we understand Robert Large has been ably assisted by CYCSA’s Guy Wogan-Provo, making them the team to beat this year.

The Port River Marine and Combined Winter Series got underway on 21 June with only five entries which is a little disappointing and due partially to the early decision by the RSAYS to not be involved in winter racing this year with COVID-19 except for the Plympton Cup. Nonetheless, those who have ventured out have enjoyed the camaraderie of being out on the water. Andy Shipp with Kinetic Energy won AMS and PHS handicaps across the board in a stiff breeze in Race 1 on 21 June. In Race 2 on 5 July under lighter conditions the chocolates went to Julian Newton with Game On 2 on PHS and Wayne Coonan with Doctor Feelgood 3 on AMS. For Race 3 which was being run by RSAYS as the Plympton Cup, the threatening strong wind warnings did not eventuate and the pleasingly large 26 boat fleet enjoyed a nice run to West Beach and back. The Plympton Cup winner, awarded on PHS, was Adrian Wotton’s School’s Out, with Game On 2 in third. On AMS Adrian was triumphant in beating Doctor Feelgood 3 from a fleet of 18 RSAYS/CYCSA entries. In Race 4 on 2 August Trevor Conyers with Rock On scored maximum series points and the AMS win with a number of visitor boats to fill out the fleet. At the time of writing Game On narrowly leads the PHS series from Kinetic Energy and School’s Out while on AMS, Doctor Feelgood 3 leads Kinetic Energy on count back, however they are carrying a DNC from the first race after not being able to get the boat in the water for the first race so it should make for a close finish.

Mike Holmes FIEAust GAICD Chair, CYCSA Racing Association