Tidings Magazine, December 2020

DECEMBER 2020

WA IRC STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SARACEN TROPHY 2020 JOHN CUNEO, ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS

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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2020 3

NEWS FROM OUR FLAG OFFICERS Robert Parker – Commodore Peter Chalmer – Vice Commodore Ian Burvill – Rear Commodore Sail Scott Monro – Rear Commodore Juniors Elise Manners – Rear Commodore Power

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2020 ICR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Susan Ghent

11 AKAMAI – COMPETING IN THE WA TOUR

Lucy Alderson 13 SARACEN TROPHY

Susan Parker

29 RACING RULES OF SAILING 2021–2024

John Standley 33 MELBOURNE CUP

14 NEW MEMBER OF STAFF 16 OCEAN RACING – WA IRC STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Susan Ghent 25 THE ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS

John Cuneo with foreword by Geoff Totterdell

CLUB STAFF Chief Executive Officer Accountant Communications Yachting Operations Mgr Sailing/ Power Administrator Training Centre Principal Dinghy/Junior Sailing Administrator Membership/Offshore Administrator Accounts Bosun Operations Manager Bar Manager Restaurant Manager Events/Weddings Executive Assistant

Western Australian Institute of Sport Athletes Kieran Bucktin (crew) and Axel Fleet (skipper).

Winners of the 2020 ICR regatta in the 29er Class, they are currently transitioning into the 49er Class.

Full story and pictures page 8 and 9.

Paul Bayliss Catherine Ramsey Deb Hanrahan Debbie Blaauw Sharon Skinner Shelley White Chelsea Hall Susan Ghent Zoe Rostron Nathan Stronach Nic Gaunt Lex Kuster Antony Botello Kaidy Raag Pic Lee

GROUNDS STAFF Timothy Donohue, Laurie Martin, Joel Sheppard

36 MEMBERSHIP – NEW CLUB MEMBERS 41 ASTERN – FROM THE ARCHIVES

Basil Twine 44 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FLAG OFFICERS Robert Parker - commodore@rfbyc.asn.au Peter Chalmer - vicecommodore@rfbyc.asn.au Ian Burvill - rearcommsail@rfbyc.asn.au Scott Monro - rearcommjuniors@rfbyc.asn.au Elise Manners - rearcommpower@rfbyc.asn.au HONORARY TREASURER Mark Caddy PUBLICATION Registered by Australia Post Publication No 63312300018 To contribute or advertise in the next issue send your copy by Friday 12 February 2021 to pr@rfbyc.asn.au

CONTACT US Keane’s Point, Peppermint Grove Western Australia T +61 8 9286 8200 www.rfbyc.asn.au rfbyc@rfbyc.asn.au

We value our members’ opinions. Feel free to send any comments, suggestions and feedback to rfbyc@rfbyc.asn.au

www.rfbyc.asn.au

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS The festive season is here already. Wishing all members and friends a safe and enjoyable Xmas and New Year.

While most national competition has been cancelled this year due to uncertainty with travel, there is still plenty of activity locally for our on water fleets and so much to be part of socially at the Club.

Since the last edition we’ve celebrated our 124th Sailing Season with a fun filled Opening Day, welcomed some great new members and hosted two major sailing events, offshore and on the river.

Wonderful to see the Club so vibrant and many people enjoying the social activities. We continue to welcome a healthy number of new members to the Club. Thank you to the members who have been spreading the word and welcoming new people to our friendly community.

All the best for the festive season, wishing you a very happy 2021.

rfbyc.asn.au Technology We’re getting ready for an upgrade to our digital services and a modern new look for our online presence. Stay tuned for the rollout of these new services including a fresh new website with member login area and an app for members.

Social media While we are on the topic of our online presence, remember to check in with us on social media to keep an eye on current activities and what’s happening at the Club.

Follow us on Instagram @rfbyc and Facebook @RoyalFreshwaterBayYachtClub where you’ll find plenty of great videos and images.

Training Centre The school holidays are the perfect time to involve kids in learning to sail and there are many opportunities through the RFBYC Training Centre. Navigate to the ‘Training Centre’ on the website for information and dates for upcoming sailing courses and other activities. Check out the Little Tackers for kids or an Adult Start Sailing course this summer.

What’s On Keep an eye on our weekly member emails, Gybe Sheet is distributed on Thursday afternoons and Front of House on Monday’s. There you will find out what’s happening at the Club whether it be a social activity, on-water event, New Members’ Night, handy information seminar or just some interesting news about your Club and fellow members. There is also a handy calendar on the Club website.

We welcome new applications for membership It’s an exciting time at the Club, our community is alive with activity. There are lots of things happening on Keane’s Point with upgrades in the marina and around the grounds. We have plenty of space to go around and invite new applications for membership. Visit the membership section of the Club website or get in touch with our Membership Coordinator, Suzzi, for assistance.

Thank you for introducing your friends A huge thank you to the members who have been introducing their friends to the Club and assisting them with the process of becoming members.

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John Chapman - SailsOnSwan

ROBERT PARKER COMMODORE

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INCE LAST TIDINGS WE HAVE of course enjoyed a wonderful 124th Opening Day to the summer sailing season. The weather was on our side, with a beautiful spring day and moderate breeze. Combined Junior and Senior dinghies and keelboats totalled over 180 boats on the water.

This is an outstanding result and augers well for an active summer season. The Power fleet made for a full raft up on the wharf and an excellent sail past for our visiting dignitaries, guests and members.

Despite some continuing implications of COVID-19, we are essentially back to normal operations. Where national and international events have been cancelled or deferred, several new initiatives have been introduced to keep competition active. Amongst others, the Masters Social Sailing (see Rear Commodore Juniors report), the WA Tour for youth sailors (see RC Sail report) are significant.

Participation levels in key events such as the Governor’s Cup, Retro Series, various offshore series, Westsail and more have been exceptional. Many Club members have enjoyed early season success in these events and my colleague’s reports provide details.

Our many capital projects continue to progress.

I am delighted to confirm that C Jetty and the Start Box were materially complete for Opening Day. Not a barge or pile driver in

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sight! Practical Completion has been signed off and only minor works remain.

Some functional issues with the Start box are being worked through.

The replacement fuel system is progressing in that the new tank has arrived in WA and is expected imminently. The limiting factor are the new bowsers, which we hope to receive late December, early January. Commissioning of the system, once these components are received, is a relatively short process.

We are near to finalisation of separate contracts for the western wharf replacement and for the Junior/Dinghy redevelopment. As per previous advice, the western wharf will be scheduled for immediately after summer season Closing Day. The Junior/ Dinghy redevelopment will commence as soon as practicable after the fuel system is functional.

Whilst final contract costs are yet to be settled, it is clear that the Junior/Dinghy redevelopment will be in the order of $3.2 million.

It is important to note that this is total project cost, not just the building itself.

Replacement sheds, modest

landscaping, lawn makegood, car park, boat park finishing and all preliminary/necessary professional services are included. We will have a walk-out, walkin project with minimal, if any, interruption to one of the busiest areas of the Club in that it handles all of our off-the-beach activities.

Myself and our fundraising group continue to seek support from members for the Junior/Dinghy redevelopment. Since last writing, we have had a modest increase to our donations tally and now sit just short of $2.5m. I am confident that many members will be encouraged, upon commencement of construction, to support this once-in-40yrs opportunity.

I welcome any member to contact me direct if you wish to support this campaign.

I have kept my interest in the Archives Group and our small band continues to progress the scanning, recording and safekeeping of our invaluable records.

Over 120 historical Year Books and Tidings and my sister Susan is ensuring that all those documents are searchable for people and boat names and other

unique references. This is a huge, ongoing task that will not only provide digital backup for our records, but ultimately enable members to do their own research etc.

With an occasional row, I keep one foot in the St Ayles camp as well. It’s hard to get a slot these days, as both the 6am and 7am times are regularly full! The Parmelia’s (canon) Ball Challenge Trophy race on Opening Day brought great interest from some of the visitors from other clubs. John Longley and I have continued talks with at least one local peer club and also recently presented

by Zoom to the General Committee of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club who see our model, and success, as something they want to achieve.

With Christmas imminent, the Club is thriving on-water and off-water. I hope you can join me and Tracey at the many events coming up over the next few months. Enjoy the great sea breezes for now, as the easterlies will with us all to soon.

Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

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PETER CHALMER VICE COMMODORE

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EMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS have seen a marked increase and the Committee is happy to report we are seeing rises across our membership categories. For females, all categories are increasing steadily. For males, the Junior and Ordinary categories are showing good increases.

Much discussion has taken place recently on strategic planning and implementation and good progress has been made although there is more to consider yet. A part of that discussion is the AS Prescription to Rule 46 which has an effective commencement date of Jan 2022. The Club is currently reviewing this change and assessing options for our compliance with it.

HOUSE & SOCIAL

There is a Government COVID requirement for all members and guests to register your attendance at the Club.

QR code signs are in place at entries to the Club. You can register by downloading and using the SafeWA app on your phone to scan the QR code. Alternatively, you can use the manual signin paperwork available in the foyer. The uptake on registration has been very good and I thank you all for your use of the system.

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Opening Day this year was a huge success with good weather and much celebration of the opening of the sailing season.

Congratulations to our Bosun, Nathan, and his crew for the presentation of the grounds, to our Head Chef, Derrick, and his team for the wonderful menu and dishes, and also to our F&B Manager, Nick, and his team for their combined hard work in making the day such a success. Reports from visiting guests were all very positive and appreciative.

The annual Mess Night at RPYC was booked out and all attendees agreed that the night held a reminder of the times and was slightly more solemn but was lightened greatly with the usual witty banter and camaraderie between the Clubs.

Melbourne Cup Day was fully booked at COVID capacity and the Fashions on the Field provided some interesting and flamboyant

race-wear. I thank the ladies and gents that entered the fashion stakes and also the generous members and guests who participated in the Silent Auction this year.

Other functions such as the Volunteer Sundowner, New Member Nights and themed dinners were all well attended.

Larger private functions that were deferred are now being rescheduled as restrictions ease. This trend augers well for the Summer and Autumn ahead.

A revamped menu was introduced to the Bar and the Bowline in October and has been well received by members. To complement the changes of the new look menu, smarter and more stylish uniforms for staff were also introduced.

I encourage all members to come down and enjoy the dining and social aspects to the Club.

I look forward to seeing you around our Club.

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IAN BURVILL REAR COMMODORE SAIL

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OYAL FRESHWATER YACHT CLUB held its 124th Opening Day on 17 October 2020. The event was well attended with 119 keelboats and six Contenders racing in the afternoon.

The next major keelboat event was the joint RFBYC/ RPYC Governor’s Cup on 14 November. A squall during the race caused damage to sails and rigs and tested the resolve of sailors. The handicap start event was won by over 3 minutes

by RPYC’s True South, a highly modified Diamond, skippered by Barry O’Toole, who is also a RFBYC member. In second place was Yo!, an Etchells, skippered by our Club’s Past Commodore Peter Ahern. Well done to both teams.

On the same day as the Governor’s Cup, Craig Carter’s Indian won Division 1 of ‘The West Coaster’, an ocean race organised by Fremantle Sailing Club.

Indian’s IRC corrected time was 28 minutes ahead of the second placegetter. It was an impressive outcome in challenging conditions.

Discover Sailing Day was held on 22 November. The

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event was well attended and resulted in many enquiries about sailing courses and membership. While much of the activity was on dinghies, many adult sailors and some family groups sailed on BW8s skippered

by Sandy Anderson, Barry O’Toole and Grant Alderson.

The Club hosted the Rockingham Race Regatta and the IRC State Championships over the weekend of 28 to 29 November.

Many thanks to The Cruising Yacht Club of Western Australia, which provided moorings and warm hospitality at its clubhouse.

Congratulations to our own Peter Chappell who steered his custom yacht, The Cadillac, to win five out of six races and the Division 1 State Championship. Congratulations also to David Davenport of EFYC (and a Reciprocal Member of RFBYC) who won the Divi-

sion 2 State Championship sailing his Sunfast 3600, Crush.

The Club’s next offshore event will be the Bunbury and Return Ocean Race, which will start on 12 February.

Many thanks to the members who responded to the volunteers’ survey, organised by our Membership Committee. As a follow up to the survey, experienced volunteers have commenced training some of the prospective volunteers in a variety of race management roles.

Two teams from RFBYC competed in the Women’s State Keelboat Champions on 5 December at South of Perth Yacht Club. Congratulations to the Club’s victorious ‘Youth Team’, consisting of Lucy Alderson (skipper), Hayley Clark, Holly Hunt, Emilia Horn, Ishbel Laing, Phillipa Packer and Chelsea Hall. Well done to the

Open Team, skippered by Sandy Anderson, which came third.

Travel restrictions have prevented The Warren Jones International Youth Regatta from proceeding in 2021. To fill the void for local youth sailors, the ‘WA Tour’ has been created, consisting of five regattas at SoPYC, RFBYC and RPYC between December 2020 and May 2021. RFBYC will host two events, starting with the JESS Match Cup from 22 to 24 January 2021. Seven teams have nominated for the WA Tour, of which five will be skippered by RFBYC members.

Good luck to Will Boulden, Lucy Alderson, Ethan Prieto-Low, Lachy Gilmour and Marcello Torre.

Best wishes for the festive season. I’ll see you on the water.

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SCOTT MONRO REAR COMMODORE JUNIORS

IT

HAS BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARILY busy and enthusiastic start to the summer sailing season. Opening day presented perfect sailing conditions for the sail past and the first Club Championship of the season. It was a very strong turn out with 58 dinghies and 68 sailors, with many of the younger sailors competing in their first summer season race.

The Junior Committee for 2020/21 has been elected, with George Elms the Junior Captain. George was awarded the Junior Club Person of the Year for the 2019/20 sailing season, receiving the Huck Scott Perpetual Trophy. George gave a great speech on Opening Day, acknowledging the strong support and encouragement the junior sailors receive from staff, coaches, members and volunteers, concluding with a special thanks to the donors of the Junior/Dinghy Facility Redevelopment.

The junior sailors have also been very busy participating and competing in WestSail, the WA Youth Championship and Sail Freo regattas. A special mention to Sam Rose (29er sailor) who received the Peter Hosking Trophy at the WA Youth Championship.

The RTYF Pacer Racing Challenge was also a very exciting event, which provided opportunity for 30 junior sailors to sail alongside the more experienced WAIS and WASS sailors. Congratulations to Lachy Gilmour and young Hudson Armstrong (O’pen Skiff sailor) for winning this event.

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The Club hosted the State WASZP and Moth Championship, with 25 sailors competing in this event. Congratulations to Will Bouden for a 1st place result in the Moth fleet.

Also, a big thank-you to the 44 volunteers that helped make this event such a great success.

Our Optimist sailors competed in the annual WAIODA Teams Racing event. Congratulations to the RFBYC team of Alex Molyneux, Jasper Stay, Charlie Stay and Valerie van der Hoek who won this event.

Discover Sailing was also hosted by the Club, which provided opportunity for the broader community to visit our Club and give sailing a go in the Optimist, Pacer and BW8. It was a very busy morning with 142 participants enjoying the sailing experience.

One of the initiatives recently introduced at the Dinghy Club is Safety Sam. Each month, Safety Sam delivers a simple message on Dinghy Safety intended to reinforce and strengthen the focus on existing safety culture at the Dinghy Club. Importantly, our staff, coaches, parents and volunteers have a lead role

in promoting and encouraging a strong and positive attitude to safety with our junior sailors.

Another initiative recently introduced is Masters’ Social Sailing on Friday afternoons for parents and adult members with dinghy sailing and windsurfing experience. Initial interest has been very strong with over 20 participants sailing on Pacers, Lasers and LT windsurfers.

There has been a significant re-organisation of dinghy storage at the Dinghy Club in order to relocate the dinghies housed in the main storage shed, which is expected to be demolished early in 2021 once the Junior/Dinghy Facility Redevelopment gets underway.

Lastly, I wish to acknowledge Rob Hubbard who has recently joined the Race Management team at the Dinghy Club as a Race Officer. It is great to have Rob on board, together with Geoff Brown, and all the other volunteers who assist every day and every week with race management and all the other onshore tasks at the Dinghy Club.

I wish everybody a very merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

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ELISE MANNERS REAR COMMODORE POWER

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ELL, POWER CLOSING DAY did not go quite to plan with bad weather causing the cancellation of the final time trial of the year, however, the Closing Day Presentations went ahead and were a great success! Congratulations to all winners, listed below: THE NAIAD TROPHY

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

for most improved skipper was awarded to Moby – Mike Kay

runner-up, with a total score of 93 points, Xindi – Geoff Wells and Diane Clarke

THE AVALON III PERPETUAL TROPHY

for the lowest number of points lost in any one consistency event, this year we had a three way tie, with each losing 3 points: Havana – Tim Cummins, Kizuri – Evan Moore and Stramash – Khaled Hejleh WM SCHOFIELD SHIELD

consistency winner, Inkognito – Steven Lewis LEM SHENTON MODEL

consistency navigator Inkognito – Chris Roberts PAT HEALY SEXTANT PERPETUAL TROPHY

lowest net score in any one consistency event, Inkognito – Steven Lewis 8 KNOT CUP

kindly donated by Rob Cameron, awarded to the winning boat with a nominated speed of 8 knots or less, Inkognito – Steven Lewis HIAWATHA TROPHY

kindly donated by Julian Wright, awarded to the Club Champion Classic boat, Puffin – Alan Anderson

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

winner of the Bernadene Perpetual Trophy, with a total score of 111 points, Havana – Tim Cummins CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

winning Navigator and winner of the The Pat Healy Barometer Havana – Ken Stevenson BOAT HOOK AWARD

John Hay – you will need to ask him why.

THE REAR COMMODORE POWER TROPHY

kindly donated by past Rear Commodore Power Maurie Woodworth, went to immediate past Rear Commodore Power Mark Tremain in recognition of his countless hours of support to our new Power Administrator, Sharon Skinner, and for the many hours he donated in ensuring the courses were correct following some major changes to grid co-ordinates.

Sailing Opening Day was held on Saturday, 17 October under clear blue skies. We had 17 power boats rafting up on the main wharf enjoying the festivities before taking part in the sail past, of which we had 20 boats involved.

The Rockingham Race Weekend was held on the weekend of 28 November with 10 power boats in attendance, 8 classics, Grand Marnie and Inkognito. The classics headed to Garden Island on the Sunday for a raft up, some stayed overnight whilst others retreated back to the river for protection from the winds. A huge thank you to Stephen Lewis, Inkognito, for monitoring the fleet on route to Rockingham on the Saturday, with a very late finish, and on their return to Fremantle on Sunday.

The annual Twilight Time Trial will be held on Friday, 12 February. This is a very popular event amongst our members and kindred clubs alike and both power and sail are invited to join in.

above: Closing day presentations – Club Champs and Rear Comm power trophy recipient bottom: Opening day raft up

Please get your nominations in to Sharon when called for and be sure to invite your friends and family to enjoy a BBQ afterwards.

I take this opportunity to wish all members and staff a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

I look forward to seeing you all on the water soon.

12 FLEETS

152 BOATS

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Susan Ghent

2020 ICR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

IMAGE BY TOM HODGE MEDIA

73 VOLUNTEERS AN

EXCELLENT NUMBER OF SAILORS and volunteers took part in the 2020 ICR at RFBYC. The annual event for invited off the beach classes was held over the weekend of 12 and 13 December and continues to be one of the biggest events on the Swan River.

What a fantastic weekend it was, lots of smiles, perfect wind and loads of fun.

Freshwater Bay greeted the fleet on Saturday morning with clear skies, warm conditions and very little breeze. Many sailors took the opportunity to have some fun in the water on the stand up paddle boards while the postponement flags were raised. They soon got underway, five races were held and the number of boats racing in the bay was a terrific sight.

1. OPTIMIST INTERMEDIATE 2. OPTIMIST OPEN 3. OPEN SKIFF INTERMEDIATE 4. OPEN SKIFF OPEN 5. MIRROR 6. NATIONAL 125

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7. LASER 4.7 8. LASER RADIAL 9. LASER STANDARD 10. 29ER 11. WASZP 12. CONTENDER As well as the racing fleets, Green Fleet were having a great time with their instructors learning new skills and practising their sailing within sight of the Club beach. These young sailors may one day aspire to be out racing on the big course in Freshwater Bay. For the moment they just had a lot of fun in the boats sailing around the training buoys and making new friends.

On Sunday afternoon the skies became cloudy and the competitors experienced some more challenging

conditions with the breeze increasing in strength and becoming unstable at times. There were a few rain squalls about, another four races were held bringing the total number for the weekend to nine.

A magnificent sight for the supporters looking out over the bay from the Clubhouse and what a fantastic weekend on the water for the sailors and volunteers.

The Club appreciates the support of the volunteer team who assist the Club staff with running these amazing events and the event sponsor MarinePlus with Gill gear as well as support from MonkeyFist Marine with the encouragement awards and pop up shop. #2020ICR 9

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AKAMAI COMPETING IN THE WA TOUR

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KAMAI RACE TEAM IS A NEW TEAM of female sailors, representing Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. ‘Akamai’ is a Hawaiian word meaning smart and intelligent, which represents our team of sailors who have many years of sailing experience at state, national and international events.

Lucy Alderson – Skipper Hayley Clark Emilia Horn Holly Hunt Ishbel Laing Zoe Thomson The aim of Akamai Race Team is to demonstrate the opportunities in sailing for both youth and adult females in WA, which give us the

potential to travel and compete overseas in international regattas.

Akamai Race Team is excited to have the opportunity to participate in the WA Tour, which will allow us to continue to develop our skills on and off the water.

We would like to thank Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club for their continued support and Debbie

Blaauw, Grant Alderson and Chelsea Hall. We are also currently looking for sponsors to help us with financial support for entry fees to regattas and team uniforms. We will be holding a raffle on Saturday 5th December at RFBYC following afternoon sailing. Akamai Race Team appreciates your support and we look forward to seeing you there.

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W O M E N ’ S H E L M R E G AT TA • WA

ARACEN TROPHY

Susan Parker

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In 2019 the WA IDA supported an initiative proposed by Sandy Anderson to run an invitation regatta for helmswomen.

he concept relies on the enthusiasm and generosity of Dragon owners making their yachts available to be helmed by a woman. The owner must be on board and either guest or regular crew can make up the team.

The inaugural regatta was won in October 2019 with Kaiella Taylor sailing Willy Packer’s Scoundrel with Willy and son Jock crewing.

Having proven to be a successful regatta, it was formalised and in 2020 was supported jointly by WAIDA and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht

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Club with the Saracen Trophy for the winning helmswoman donated by the Parker family.

The 2020 regatta was held on the Swan River on 4 October under challenging windy sou’south westerly conditions. 12 entrants contested four races with the best three to count. Race 1 was a lengthy roundthe-buoys race which helped settle the helm and crews into their roles and familiarise all with their yachts.

Races 2, 3 and 4 were set on a short windward leeward course of two or three laps.

Race Officer Rob Hubbard did a fantastic job getting the races started under gusty conditions on well laid courses in Freshwater Bay and the Club as usual provided a well-coordinated team of volunteers. The generosity of Mimi and Willy Packer in making their home available for the annual Dragon ‘Start of Season Get-together’ and for the Regatta’s trophy presentation extended a really great day on the water into a very pleasant evening soiree. continued overleaf 13

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The Club would like to welcome Pic Lee Song to the team.

Pic Lee was involved with Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships and up until recently the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation.

She will be working Monday to Friday in the main Clubhouse. For those who don’t already know her, pop into the office and introduce yourselves.

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rish Ford, sailing her Canewdon Witch with regular crew of David Hay and Graeme Fardon, was a very worthy trophy winner demonstrating her extensive experience in Dragon racing. However future talent was evident with a mix of heat winners including Lucy Alderson sailing Scoundrel who came first in Race 4, Zoe Thomson sailing French Connection winning race 2 and Jenny Spearman sailing Icefyre who won Race 1. The only all-women team of Susie Parker (helm), Sandy Anderson (owner), Caroline Gibson and Penny Anderson sailing Blue Marlin were consistent with a fifth place overall.

This competition allows Dragons and sailors to get boats ready for the forthcoming season and gives

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owners a chance to experience conditions in front of the tiller – where some may never venture! It has also led to a pool of crew available for the local Dragon fleet. Participants will also be invited to consider helm/ crew positions in the Women’s Dragon competition to be held as part of the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club 2021 Easter Regatta.

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he Saracen Trophy for the WA International Dragon Assoc and RFBYC International Dragon Women’s Helm Champion is named after DKA98 Saracen which was the first Dragon owned and helmed by a woman, Ruth Rynehart, at RFBYC .

DKA98 Saracen was co-owned from 1967 by former RFBYC Commodore and Vice Patron Stephen

Parker and past President of the WA Dragon Association, David Cruickshank. Saracen had an impressive record as a Club, state and national champion including the Prince Philip Cup in 1974 under the helm of Stephen Parker.

Ruth took on the ownership of Saracen in 1982 and helmed her for several years.

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he Perpetual Trophy for the Dragon Women’s Helm Champion was donated by the Parker Family in recognition of the beautiful Dragon class, of all RFBYC yachtswomen competing both past and future, and of the owners of the Dragons and the WA Dragon Association for keeping the Class flourishing on water and on shore.

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OCEA RACIN WA IRC State Champions crowned after a tight contest off the coast

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WA IRC STATE

AN NG Susan Ghent

CHAMPIONSHIPS

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IMAGES BELOW © JOHN CHAPMAN / SAILSONSWAN

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P

erfect conditions offshore in Perth for the Ocean Racing WA IRC State Championships hosted

by Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.

The weekend regatta was held over the 28 and 29 November as part of the Rockingham Race Regatta.

The big yachts were watched by beachgoers in Cottesloe on Saturday morning and the locals enjoying their brunch. Racing was tight and exciting to kick off the event, a fantastic spectacle for the public.

For the IRC State Championship there was a mix of boats and experience. The racing included two coastal passage races of up to 27 nautical miles and up to four around the buoys (windward/leeward) races with a target time of 45 minutes each.

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n Division Two, Hustler Race Team were out in their Etchells and Crush, a Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race contestant in 2019 is a Jeanneau Sunfast 3600. For Division One, great to see a couple of sports boats out from the river with Boom (Rob Scharnell’s Melges 32) and defending champions The Cadillac (Pe-

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ter Chappell). They were up against seasoned offshore racers and Siska winners Ian Clyne’s J122 Joss and Craig Carter’s Carkeek 47 Indian.

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he Race Management team were kept alert by the shifting morning breeze which was up and down in strength and coming from the south. This would eventually build to a fresh afternoon breeze that Perth is well known for. The Cadillac was off to a great start by winning the first two races. The MAT 1245 Obsession owned by Paul and Ceris Arns placed second in race one and race two went to Chris Higham’s Argo, an Archaumbault crewed almost entirely by sailors under 30.

There were a few navigation mix ups by teams for the afternoon passage race south to Rockingham. It was won by Geoff Bishop’s CheckMate a Summit King 40 and The Cadillac placed fifth, this would be their discard over the six race series.

In Division Two David Davenport’s Crush was looking for a win in the event after being runners up in the 2019–20 championship. They followed the same great start with

two wins in the short course racing in Cottesloe and then a fifth in the passage race. Racing on a chartered Farr MRX, Anthony Kirke’s team on Enterprise SP had two seconds and a third followed by Jason Poutsma’s Hustler with two third places then a second.

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eams moored overnight in Rockingham and enjoyed the hospitality at The Cruising Yacht Club. RFBYC’s Power fleet accompanied the yachts for the weekend to enjoy the social side and a weekend away with fellow yacht club members.

It was calm in Mangles Bay on Sunday morning but a southerly breeze again developed just in time for two short course races in view of the Rockingham foreshore. The racing was close, yachts crossing tacks many times and plenty of sudden moves ducking behind competitors who had right of way. It was a test of boat handling skills for the teams.

Both The Cadillac and Crush had perfect scores again in the morning session. In Division One Joss and Argo sailed consistently to pickup 19

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a second and third and for Division Two, Royal Perth Yacht Club teams Wyuna (Dennis Vincent/Hilary Arthure) and Atomic Blonde (Simon Torvaldsen) picked up a third place.

Perth turned up the wind strength for the run back to Perth in the afternoon’s passage race, the last chance for teams to get a good score on the board. For Division One The Cadillac collected a win with Indian in second and Boom in third. Hustler and Enterprise SP drew for first place in Division Two with David Lynn’s Adams 10.6, Adams RIB, in third.

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verall results in Division One had defending champions from RFBYC, The Cadillac in first. Joss was second and CheckMate in third.

The team on The Cadillac are mostly sailors from the Etchells class. The 31 foot lightweight racer was built to put the fun in to sailing.

She’s regularly seen with her large spinnaker set, charging up the Swan River in the Saturday afternoon keelboat racing at the Club. Owner Peter Chappell was pleased with the performance of his experienced crew.

He commented “there were very few unused wind shifts for us, our team made the most of our downwind speed using the pressure lines and shifts to full advantage. We had a plan for the series against the bigger boats and that was to get a clean start and have the ability to take the first shift, stay in phase with the wind and to keep out of the packs, to stay out of trouble”.

Peter was extremely happy with the hard work and performance of his team. They certainly prepared themselves well and ensured they

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put in their best effort. Even their hull trim was a priority with a lot of attention paid to minimising drag both upwind and downwind. It all paid off for the team, after discarding their worst result, a fifth place, they kept only wins on their scorecard. A great team to watch, we hope to see them back again next year.

The team of Crush were delighted to take the overall win in Division Two, they are keen to achieve this season throughout the Ocean Racing WA series. Runner up for 2020– 2021 was Anthony Kirke’s team on

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Enterprise SP, with a new yacht on the way for next year they are sure to be back for another go at the state title. Jason Poutsma’s Hustler came in third.

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he event wound up with a Cocktail Party at RFBYC a few days later. It was a fun evening to present the awards and included the lucky draw for the IRC Youth Cup Series. Thirty-five youth and young adult names in the event this year with the full set of Gill wet weather gear won by Amelia Catt from the Argo team. This generous donation

of Gill kit by sponsor MarinePlus is a very exciting addition to the event for the young sailors.

The volunteer Race Management Team ran an excellent series of races. It was a great weekend for the yachts contesting the Ocean Racing WA IRC State Championship and the additional eight yachts who joined in for the passage races. The Dolphin Race and Gordon Craig Ocean Race are part of the RFBYC 44th Farrawa Cup Series and the Dolphin Race is one of the eight ORWA Short Haul races towards the Siska Trophy.

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r f byc

SAFETY

SAM

Back to School Party Lore m

2021

Sunday 7 February 12:30 to 15:30

Junior members and their families are invited to a party at the Main Clubhouse to celebrate heading back to school for the New Year

A cone of chips voucher will be given to each sailor who competes in Dinghy racing or Green/Orange fleet training in the morning.

Lunches can be purchsed from the the Casual dining menu

Results from the morning racing will be announced at 12:45pm on the main Clubhouse lawn overlooking Freshwater Bay. We encourage sailors to attend the presentations and stay on to enjoy the activities.

Activities on the top lawn

Come along and have some fun!

RSVP to Chelsea Hall juniors@rfbyc.asn.au

by the late John Cuneo

THE ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS

In the September 2020 edition of Tidings we included the writings of our esteemed past Vice Patron Tony Manford, recently deceased, about the early history of the Dragon Class in Western Australia.

Tony had rightfully earned the respect of Dragon sailors throughout

Australia as the most accomplished helmsman of his era. Although Tony was a reserve helmsman in the 1964 Olympics and yachting team manager in the 1968 Olympics, selection to sail his own boat had alluded him. His nemesis was Queenslander John Cuneo who

represented Australia in the Dragon class in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics winning the Gold medal in 1972. Sadly, both Tony and John passed away in June of this year within one day of each other, both having suffered long illnesses.

Following is John Cuneo’s story.

Geoff Totterdell

IT

WAS 1966. I HAD SAILED sponsored boats for 14 years and now, having just finished the 505 campaign for the Australian and world championships, it appeared I had come to the end of my sailing career as I had known it.

The Olympics was something I had always wanted to do – but how? Looking at the different classes of boat being used I determined that the only class I might succeed in was the Dragon. There was a small newly established fleet in Brisbane with a number of keen owner/skippers. As luck would have it Ray Andrew who recently bought the ageing Marjorie Ann (DKA6) from Sydney asked me to skipper her in some of the selection races to determine which would be the only sponsored boat to represent our Club in the Australian championship to be sailed in West Australia in 1967. Marjorie Ann finished with the most points but as two different skippers had sailed her the points were divided. The selected boat was Roger Nielsen’s Mistral.

Later I was talking to Barney Steven who was a good friend and mentor. He knew of my sailing ambitions and suggested I approach Ray Andrew to see if he was willing to allow me to have Marjorie Ann if Roger would step down. Both parties readily agreed, with Roger to be

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the middleman in the crew. For the forward hand Ross Bradbury who sailed in the third boat – Jennifer, agreed to join the team.

The old Marjorie Ann was in poor condition and needed a lot of work.

The bottom was burnt off and gloss enamel applied. We ordered a new mast and a set of working sails from Jack Hamilton who had made all my sails for many years but had not produced Dragon sails before.

We received wonderful support from the Dragon sailors in the Club.

The punch line now – our Commodore Nick Lockyer had agreed to help raise funds to purchase a Dragon for me to try for Olympic selection provided we did well in Perth. Much to everyone’s surprise we gained second place in both the WA State and the Australian Championships.

Nick Lockyer started to put a syndicate together to raise the necessary funds. This syndicate was to be called the Jock Robbie syndicate in honour of our previous Commodore John Robinson who was lost at sea. We raised sufficient funds

to purchase Norman Booth’s no.2 Dragon – Southern Cross which we renamed Jock Robbie (DKA107).

The next year we won the Prince Philip Cup and the selection races to represent Australia in the Mexico Olympics in 1968. My crew was Tom Anderson and John Ferguson.

The races were held in Acapulco where we finished 5th – not bad but not good enough to satisfy me.

At the very impressive Closing Ceremony I got the inspiration to compete at the next Olympics in 1972 in Germany.

The trick again was how? By the deed of gift the syndicate had agreed to sell Jock Robbie and return the funds to the subscribers.

In 1969 the Squadron was to host a double series on Waterloo Bay – the Prince Philip Cup and the English Speaking Union Championship.

Jock Robbie was not available as she was still in Mexico. Nick Lockyer who was organising these races offered to charter a Dragon ex Sydney for the Olympic crew.

Eric Strain offered his yacht Cynthia 25

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THE ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS CONTINUED

(DKA87) and we subsequently won both these series. Later that year Past Commodore Greg Cavill offered to loan me his Brisbane built Dragon – Jennifer to compete in the World Championship to be held in Majorca, Spain. After a close fought series Jennifer came second missing out by only one point.

Time was running out as we needed to compete in the World Championship which was to be held in Hobart in 1970. I went to Sydney to inspect dragons which were for sale. I felt none on display were capable of Olympic selection until the RSYS boatswain said that George Bate had ordered a new boat and his old boat was for sale.

He agreed to take me out to her mooring. When I lifted the cover, it was so obvious that she was a sister ship to Jock Robbie.

When ashore I rang George.

The asking price was $7,000 and when I advised him that we only had $4,000 he agreed to accept this provided that we sell the boat after the selection races if we failed or, sell after the Olympics and pay the balance then. Ray Andrew was the new chairman and he agreed. This boat was Wyuna (DKA131). So, we

then started to prepare her for the World Series in Hobart.

Our first series was the Australian Championship. Unfortunately, we were very slow and were extremely fortunate to finish in third place of all the Australian boats as only three Australian boats were allowed to race in the Worlds. Once we were in a smaller fleet (16) our poor speed became apparent.

Later a friend said, “I bet I know who learnt the most”. He was referring to me and this made me rethink a lot of things and I started to become positive again.

I signed on a new middle crew hand; the crew now was Tom Anderson and John Shaw.

We got an aluminium set of spars which were now allowed plus new sails, sorted out the mechanics, spruced up the hull and she looked a million dollars.

The selection races were tougher than in 1968 but we won and this was a necessary baptism of fire for us.

So, we were on our way to Kiel, Germany where we were to race for Olympic Gold.

Luckily, we were obliged to race in another regatta before the Olym-

pics. We selected the Gold Cup which was to be sailed in Denmark.

We were not up to speed there even though we won one race.

So, we were off to Kiel for the big one. We had about two weeks to prepare and we spent all this time working out what sails to use.

Mike Fletcher had given us a set of working sails and the mainsail was finally selected as the best. We had trained a lot with the Canadian representative and was able to go with him but never beat him. When we finally had a short beat with the East German entry, he beat us quite easily. We then changed to a North genoa and inspected it very carefully. I noticed that the shape in the head had a marked “V” in it. We took this to Mike Fletcher who eliminated this fault. This sail proved to be the final straw in our quest for boat speed and it was only two days before the first heat.

Our results were three wins, a 19th, a 3rd and a 4th for a convincing point win of 38.7 points. The gold was ours. Second went to East Germany with 59.7 points and USA third on 65.7 points.

bottom left image caption reads in part: Kiel, Sept [3?] (AP) – OLYMPIC DRAGON YACHT WINNERS Left to right: the East German Dragon team (silver medal); centre, the Australian team (gold medal); and right, third placed American team (bronze)

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Entries are to be submitted to Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club by 5:00pm on Monday, 4 January 2020

2021

JESS Match Cup

A World Sailing Grade 4 Open Match Racing Event in BW8s

Friday, 22 January to Sunday 24 January, 2021 The 2021 JESS Match Cup forms part of the Swan River Sailing WA Tour

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club Perth, Western Australia For information

Contact the Sailing Administrator at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club Phone (08) 9286 8200 or email sailadmin@rfbyc.asn.au Notice of Race available at www.rfbyc.asn.au

John Standley

RACING RULES OF SAILING 2021–2024

AS

MOST OF YOU WILL ALREADY KNOW, the Racing Rules of Sailing are reviewed and updated every four years and the latest version comes into effect on the 1st January 2021.

Again, this time, most of the changes that have been made have come about from issues and problems that have arisen over the last four years. Whilst this had led to many word changes and reorganisation you will be pleased to hear there are no big changes to the way you should be applying the rules on the water.

The Australian rule book, which differs from the World Sailing book only by the addition of the local prescriptions, can be found at https:// cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/pcy1xuzrtdpdsp2x.pdf World Sailing has also published a study version available at https:// www.sailing.org/tools/documents/ StudyVersion20212024WorldSailingRacingRulesofSailing-[26383].pdf which highlights the changes and also gives a link to the submissions that led to the change so you can see some of the reasoning.

To shortcut the process for you I have listed below the significant changes to the various sections of the book and how they apply to sailors and race officials.

CHANGES THAT AFFECT SAILORS AND SUPPORT PEOPLE DEFINITIONS AND PART 1

• For starting and finishing it is only the hull that counts, not bowsprits, spinnaker positions etc. For overlap situations it remains as hull and equipment in normal position.

• Decision to race now RULE 3. All Si’s to be updated.

• Hails for protest and room can now be made in your own language.

No need to use English.

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• World Sailing regulations no longer included as a part of rule definition.

• You cannot correct a course error after crossing the finish line other than an error made at the finish.

• Sailing the course now in definitions not in a separate rule.

• Support people now have to give help (Rule 1.1).

• Unfair sailing (Rule 2) now only DND (Do not discard).

• Rules now apply to an event NOT just a race.

• All World Sailing regs now in rule 6.

PART 2

• Exoneration for rule 14 and 21 and 64 now all together in rule 43.

• Rule 18 no longer applies when mark-room has been given.

• Rule 20.4 Hails now need to be amplified by a signal in windy or noisy conditions. (A boat that may need to give room now needs to keep a lookout for any signals).

PART 3

• Notice of race has to be available before a boat enters an event (rule 25.1).

• Unable to correct course errors after finishing (rule 28.2).

• Monitor RC communications if ‘V’ displayed – Applies to support persons for which boats are responsible (rule 37).

PART 4

• Rule 40 – Wearing of PFD’s can now be specified in NoR or Si’s (as well as safety regs as in AUS rules) as well as by display of Y flag.

• Rule 43 now includes all redress that was previously in rules 14, 21 and 64.1(a). Exoneration now allows a boat to exonerate herself if she thinks a rule breach has caused her to break a rule.

• Rule 47 was rule 55 now also applies to support persons. Competitors are responsible for their support persons so could end up being penalised if a support person drops trash.

• Rule 50 requires a trapeze harness to have a quick release fastening from 1st January 2023.

• Rule 56 Appendix TS available on WS website. Read this if Traffic Separation lanes come into your course area.

PART 5

• Protest form now downloadable from WS website. Now 2 forms - one for hearing request and one for hearing decision.

• Protests and requests for redress are now both ‘hearings’.

• Rule 60.1 allows a boat to report support people to the PC. • No real changes in the hearing procedure.

• Rule 63.6 now allows hearsay evidence, however, under 63.6(d) the PC shall give appropriate weight to the evidence presented (which may be no weight!).

• 64.6 allows discretionary penalties to be taken for rules so specified.

Penalty to be assessed by the PC. • Rule 78.2 now gives time when certificates have to be produced or verified. continued overleaf

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“GENEVIEVE” FOR SALE

The cover you want to have but hope not to use!

AUS18129 / 1218

SWAN RIVER GUNTER RIG 22’

Call Manfred Speicher (RFBYC member) on 0416 018 407 to find out more.

Sydney · pantaenius.com.au To determine if our insurance products are right for you please access our PDS from our website.

AFSL 410502 - ABN 95148013085

NZ kauri planking on karri ribs & stringers; jarrah keel, stem & transom; marine plywood deck; Brazilian mahogany coamings; cast silicon bronze fittings; oregon mast & spars.

• 1906 built in Fremantle • 1996–1998 wholly rebuilt

by Wooden Boat Works, Fremantle • 2015 – Yanmar 1 GM 10 diesel motor installed • 2017 – hollow steel foil keel with lead shoe fitted providing both lift & stability; & an extended cockpit after removal of the plate case • Sails – Mainsail, Jib (new 2019) & asymmetrical cut ‘ballooner’ (not a spinnaker), both on furlers • Full history available.

Inquiries to Rory Argyle 0411 749 252

RACING RULES OF SAILING CONTINUED

Under the current rules this boat would be called OCS as her bowsprit, wing and crew is over the start line.

From January she will be OK as her HULL is not over the line.

RULE CHANGES THAT APPLY TO RACE OFFICIALS

• New flag signal ‘V’ monitor communications for safety instructions.

• Orange flag at start, blue flag at finish.

• Request for redress now a hearing.

• Officials now also governed by the rules.

• Changes to starting signals may be given in NoR and/or SI’s.

• Now only judge the hull at start and finish not equipment in normal position.

• Rule 60.2 allows a RC to report a support person action or a rule 69 breach to the PC and request action.

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• Rule 64 now give standards of proof.

• 64.6 allows discretionary penalties to be taken for rules so specified. Penalty to be assessed by the PC. • 66.3(b) advises at least one new PC member if PC is reopening because it may have made a significant error.

• Rule 70.5 no national juries for events with overseas competitors.

• Rule 87 any allowable changes to class rules MUST be in the NoR. • Rule 90(e) limits times after when scoring changes cannot be made but must be activated in the Si’s.

• Appendix A allows RC to score a boat NSC (not sailed the course) when they do not sail the course.

For those of you who wish to make a more in-depth study the Australian Sailing Rules Committee has prepared some video presentations on the changes. Please follow the links below.

• For sailors at https://youtu.be/ RnbpBm_xQdE • For Race Officials at https://youtu. be/Gt1Kl5gDYU8 • An explanation of starting and finishing at https://youtu.be/00UdJENGLPk

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D E N M A R K

Silverstream is an award winning producer of cool climate wines from the wonderful Denmark sub region of the Great Southern.

Built on biological farming and minimal intervention winemaking.

Silverstream Wines is a proud supporter of the mid-week racing at RFBYC.

C E L LA R D O O R O p e n i n g H o u r s : T h u r s d a y – S u n d a y, 1 1 a m – 5 p m 2 4 1 S co t s d a l e Ro a d , D e n m a r k , We s te r n A u s t r a l i a

w w w . s i l v e r s t r e a m w i n e s . c o m

MELBOURNE CUP NOVEMBER 2020

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MELBOURNE CUP NOVEMBER 2020

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MELBOURNE CUP NOVEMBER 2020

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MEMBERSHIP NEW CLUB MEMBERS

ORDINARY

Member Aidan Flynn Andrea Murphy-Laid Richard Evans Tom Carmody Lara Moltoni Anton Thysse Raleigh Finlayson Aaron McDonald Gordon Lucas Ben Watkins Ron Dickinson Simon Charly Ishbel Laing Grant Powell Tim Crosland Robert Goodwin Michael Fry Adam Fleet Anthony Kirke Natalie Martin Justin Tremain Leon Boyatzis Anil Ahluwalia Clare Macfarlane Lloyd Houthuysen Richard Manners Roland Tyson Brett Ibbitson Larry Cherubino Nick Fennessy Rebecca Richardson Ronald Weekes Lucy Golding Shannon Bodeker Shane Jones

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Proposer Seconder Graham Hogg Tim Gardner Peter Massee Bun Lynn Ken Stevenson Bryant McLarty Anthony Packer Peter Packer Barbara-Dene Jones Paul Ostergaard Karl Els Andrew Miller Rob Black John Hannaford Stephen Davies Joel Yeldon Commodore Rob Parker Geoff Totterdell Tom Hunter Irwin Hunter David Joyce Hugh Spiers Scott Monro Chelsea Hall Will Boulden Grant Alderson Evan Moore Scott Bailey Scott Bailey Guy Bailey Hamish Carnachan Chris Nelson Commodore Rob Parker Tony Parker Grant Alderson Evan Moore Ian Clyne Brad Stout Humphrey Hale Bernie Lenny Don Tremain Clive Beeton Scott Monro Evan Moore Richard Cargeeg Mark Tremain Geoff Totterdell Steven Cole Bernard Hockings Commodore Rob Parker Clive Hawkes Elise Manners Evan Moore Tom Lovelady Chris Nelson Hamish Carnachan Lloyd Clark Cameron Shephard Julian Walter Alicia Kelly Chelsea Hall Susan Ghent John Cassidy Anthony Vlachou Ross Norgard Sandy Anderson Philippa Packer Hamish Vinnicombe Scott Bailey Guy Bailey

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MEMBERSHIP NEW CLUB MEMBERS ASSOCIATE

Member Laura Stone Ashleigh MacDonald Ryan Hawkins Vanessa Finlayson Heather Charly Karen Thysse Olivia Humphrey Anna Goodwin Marisa Tribe Anna Fleet Anureet Ahluwalia Richard Macfarlane Didi Caddy Carolyn Hartz Tegan Flynn Edwina Cherubino Rochelle Fennessy David Martin Mark Richardson Sara Aveleyra

Proposer Seconder Robert Stone Robert Towner Alan Fisher Steve McAlinden Anthony Packer Peter Packer Rob Black John Hannaford Scott Monro Chelsea Hall Karl Els Andrew Miller Evan Moore Scott Bailey Hamish Carnachan Chris Nelson Alan Tribe Julian Walter Grant Alderson Evan Moore Richard Cargeeg Mark Tremain Geoff Totterdell Steven Cole Mark Caddy Commodore Rob Parker Clive Hartz Lynton Chalmers Commodore Rob Parker Tony Parker Lloyd Clark Cameron Shephard Julian Walter Alicia Kelly Humphrey Hale Bernie Lenny Chelsea Hall Susan Ghent Scott Bailey Guy Bailey

RECIPROCAL

Member Louis Sammut Matthew Neal Richard Oates Len Randell

Proposer Seconder Matt Lovelady Tom Lovelady Tim Cummins Ken Stevenson Robert Gould Adrian Momber Geoff Totterdell Steve Ward

JUNIOR MEMBERS

Member Audrey Stone Henry Finlayson Finn Carmody-Hawkins Hugh Davies Vincent Crosland Isabel Atkinson Maddy Richardson Siena Johnston Alex Arnold Ash Duffield Sebastian Coxon Jessica Wilson James Craib Edie Fennessy Xavier Craig

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Member Member Astrid Fleet Freja Fleet Matilda Finlayson Scarlett Finlayson Guy Davies Miles Davies Alexander Martin Ellery Thysse Ari Crosland Emilio Cherubino Santiago Atkinson Olivia Richardson Tania Holldack Asha Johnston Lawson Wedding Tabitha Roche Harry Powell Julian Bailey Cahill Baker Isabella Coxon Luke Brennan Kai Duffield Hugh Healy Charlotte Craib Piers Brinkmann-Gray Lachlan Compton Luella Fennessy Adit Ahluwalia

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MEMBERSHIP NEW CLUB MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP NEW CLUB MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

For membership information, please visit our website rfbyc.asn.au and use the tabs ‘Participate’ then ‘Join the Club’. The menu on the left side of the page can be used to navigate through our membership section.

Alternatively, membership enquiry packs can be collected from the main noticeboard or from reception.

Questions to our Membership Coordinator, Susan Ghent, at the Club.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

Membership applications (with signature and endorsement of two Members with five+ years membership) must be submitted to the Membership Coordinator by post, deliver to the Club, or email to, membership@rfbyc.asn.au • Submit completed application forms to the Club by the last Monday of the month.

• General Committee reviews applications on the last Tuesday of the month.

• Ordinary membership applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the Membership Committee on the second Monday of the following month or thereafter.

• Membership applications are placed on the notice board for a period of 26 days (except Juniors).

• All membership applications which progress to the final stage of the membership process will be ratified

by General Committee on the last Tuesday of the month.

73rd Bunbury and Return Ocean Race Join us for the challenge of WA’s oldest blue water ocean race.

The race will start at midday on Friday 12 February 2021.

The fleet will be in view of Port Beach for the race start and leg to the first turning mark. They’ll sail west to a mark just inside Rottnest Island and then make the journey south to Bunbury. After rounding the mark boat in Bunbury the course will bring them north to the finish line at South Mole in Fremantle.

Follow the 180 nautical mile challenge online with race tracking and on social media. Part of the Ocean Racing WA Siska Series and the RFBYC 44th Farrawa Cup Series.

rfbyc.asn.au

Basil Twine

ASTERN SHARPIES & THE PHOTO OF HUBERT MILLER

THE

STORY OF HUBERT MILLER’S PHOTO is not very long so these notes can stand a bit of fleshing-out! The original ‘12 square metre Sharpie’ was designed in 1931 by Krogen Brothers of Warnemunde in Germany and is still sailed in several European countries.

Specifications are as follows: Length 19.58 ft / 5.97m, Beam 4.7ft / 1.43m, Sail area 137sft / 12.73sm, Displacement 510lb / 231 kg The mainsail had three or four short battens. There were no extras (spinnakers) and crew comprised a helmsman and one other.

The ‘Sharpie’ we sailed in Australia basically followed these specifications but some of the differences included a slightly narrower beam, a fully battened mainsail, a crew of three and two spinnakers.

There was a large fleet of ‘sharpies’ in WA: around 100 with at least 50 on the river but also at several country clubs including Bunbury, Albany, Geraldton and later Walpole. The Walpole group was started by the Swarbrick brothers Terry and Harley. The Bunbury group included such notables as Newton Roberts, Reg Willis and Laurie Armstrong and the shenanigans over their Easter Regattas were legendary.

The beginnings of the fleet in WA was pre-World War 2 and post-war in 1953, there were still numerous boats lying unused in sheds such as East Fremantle Yacht Club. I was one of a crew of three who resurrected a boat named Vivid in that year and set about making it water-tight again. Other boats at RFBYC included: Falcon (Rolly Tasker), Wyvern (Bruce Robinson), Mischief (Max Dimmitt), Margaret (Syd Deykin), George Ross II (David Cullen), Frolic (Brian Leary), Zeus (Barry Johnston), Melody (Jock Morrison), Elusive (Bernie Prindiville), Volan-

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te (Peter Jones), Hornet (Maurice Fisher), Havoc (Graeme Brown), Hi Fi (Andy White), Sprite (Dick Camm) and Vivid (Brian Kirby). Notables at other clubs included: Des Piesse, John Maxfield, Alan Tough, Jim O’Grady, Eric Ablett, the Addison brothers, John Gaunt, Viv Downing, Keith Clifford, Cliff McShearer and Gordon Jones. In total there were around 100 boats on the river alone at several clubs.

Adherence to the racing rules was a little ‘ad hoc’ to say the least: I recall Des Piesse commenting that they didn’t rely too much on the ‘Protest’ procedure; it was generally sorted out on the water or afterwards on the slips. Protesting was regarded as almost a form of ‘whinging’. Des mentioned that the brass rubbing strip on the stem was important because if someone was an habitual port tack offender you just moved your weight forward to lower the bow and hit him in the soft part below the gunwale.

Hmmmm!

It was partly this culture of ‘not protesting’ that cost Rolly Tasker and Huck Scott the Gold Medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Rolly had virtually won the medal but in the last race he was involved in a multiple boat maelstrom in which he was unable to manoeuvre to avoid another competitor because a third boat was blocking him. When he failed to protest against that third boat he was disqualified and relegated to the silver medal. That story alone is worth telling but not here.

THE BOATS WE SAILED

I will get around to the photo eventually…

Like most small yachts they were generally home built. Sides and bottom were built using 9/16 inch thick pine planks and a ¼ inch pine deck all held together with copper nails with roves and brass screws into 1 inch pine or jarrah frames and a jarrah keel. Marine glues had not been developed at that stage.

Any gaps were filled with caulking or putty which was squeezed out as the planks became wet and swelled.

They had a Gunter rig (a high angle gaff) with spars made of wood – generally oregon or spruce with cast bronze fittings. Centre plate was ¼ inch and rudder blade was 3/16 inch, both steel. Before each race it was the sheet hand’s job to take both these plates of rusty steel and polish them using a lump of limestone, soft brick or something and then burnish them with shoe polish.

Rigging was galvanised wire – spliced not swaged. Deck fittings comprised jarrah ‘dead eyes’ and ‘T’ cleats or maybe belaying pins.

Turning blocks were either wooden cheeks or bronze. There were no trapezes; it was hike out over the side and guts it out. It was said that some skippers used the end of the main sheet to whip a crewman if he tried to sit up!! I don’t believe that but ask Barrie Manners about the days we crewed for Brian Leary!

continued overleaf 41

ASTERN CONTINUED FROM THE ARCHIVES

‘Boom Vangs’ and ‘Cunningham Eyes’ had not been invented but there was one boat named Shadow which had a ‘floating’ boom. The gooseneck fitting was just a set of jaws with lashing at the front. It was held down by a length of spear-gun rubber and the principle was that when the mainsheet was pulled on the boom came down, flattening the luff. Off the wind when the mainsheet was eased, the boom floated up giving the sail more depth.

Sails were cotton and darned heavy when they got wet. Sheets (ropes) were generally cotton if you could get it or sisal which was rough as hell on the hands. Gloves were never worn.

Two spinnakers were carried: one a full symmetrical and the other a ‘shy’ reaching spinnaker probably derived from the skiff ‘balloon jib’.

Either was flown using a simple pole. This was tapered at both ends.

The outer end was secured into a cringle in the corner of the spinnaker and the inner end in a ‘snodder’.

This was made from a short length of rope with a loop spliced into each end. It was then fitted around the mast by passing one loop through the other. The inner end of the spinnaker pole was then held in the free loop.

The class rules specified a minimum weight of 510 pounds (or 231 kg) which is too heavy for a crew of three strong men, so for launching it was a case of ‘all help’ using large wooden rollers. To ease this and protect the keel there was generally a brass rubbing strip fastened from the stem to the keel, either side of the centre case right to the transom.

42

Despite their weight, their long sleek shape made them fast to windward. There was a tendency to go through the waves rather than over them although off the wind under spinnaker they were quickly on the plane. To cope with water they had a pair of ‘splash boards’ on the foredeck and pumps attached to either side of the centre case. These pumps were a typical Australian innovation – they were made from galvanised tin down-pipe and had a flange made from a couple of pieces of wood with a rubber gasket in between. This flange was held down near the bottom of the pump with a furniture spring but had a short rope attached coming out of the top. It was the Sheet Hand’s job to pull on this rope so the flange moved up and down thus expelling the bilge water through into the centre case.

The other method of expelling water was by means of a bucket!

OH, THEM WAS THE DAYS – WHEN MEN WERE MEN!!

The weight of the Sharpie centreplate was fine while the boat was upright but in a capsize situation it was different; there was nothing to hold it in! I recall an incident when sailing with Bruce Robinson at a Cockburn regatta. The sheethand Kevin Myers was a big, tall, strong fellow but we had capsized and he was missing. I swam down underneath to find him with an arm around the thwart and the other hand holding the handle of the centreplate which was disappearing into the depths. I managed to tie the end of a jib sheet through the handle of the plate so that Kevin could surface and get a breath.

Laurie Armstrong from Koombana Bay SC had a better idea: he had a centreplate made from duralumin – a very light aluminium alloy used in aircraft construction. Not really legal, so he would sneak it down to the beach and bury it in the sand then swap it over for the steel plate when he thought no one was watching. He got caught of course.

Gordon Jones’ boat was named Mariner and always beautifully maintained but disconcerting in a race; all the boats were painted different colours in those days but Gordon went a bit further – one side was white and the other black so as he tacked you weren’t sure who was there.

THE PHOTO OF HUBERT MILLER

Frederick Miller succeeded Edward Keane as ‘Captain’ (Commodore) of FBBC in 1897. His son Hubert Miller was Commodore from 1914 to 1917. Hubert’s grandchildren Past Cdr John Anderson 2004 – 2006, John’s brother Alan and their sister Miria Cummins share this illustrious pedigree. A keen observer will notice the photo of Hubert in the Aubrey Sherwood Room ‘Rogue’s Gallery’ is different from others of that era in that he is posed in a smart business suit rather than uniform or with a cap. You may well ask, “Why is this so?”

I think it was 1957 (or certainly thereabouts) that an Australian (heavyweight) Sharpie Championship was held on the Swan River.

Our local champion was John Maxfield (sailing Betty) who included Phil Prosser and Don West in his

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ASTERN CONTINUED FROM THE ARCHIVES

crew. At that stage they sailed out of Claremont Yacht Club.

The reigning Australian champion was John Cuneo (sailing Daring) from Queensland. There was a large contingent from South Australia led

by Jim Hardy (later Sir James and sailing Tintara). This SA contingent was formidable, particularly as they sailed as a team which was not really in the spirit of the contest which we believed was an individual championship. That team included a young 19yo tearaway named Fred Neale. I don’t recall the name of his boat but the emblem sported on the sail—that was the fashion—was a hand pointing forward. Fred told me he copied it from a sign outside a public toilet and I believed him.

Fred’s job was to cover Cuneo wherever possible so that Hardy could get free to sail his best. Only in one race did Cuneo break free from this cover and after a titanic struggle on the tack up Lucky Bay to Bricklanding he was first to break out his spinnaker. He won by over 100 yards. Jim Hardy won every other race but the surprise packet was the performance of young Fred Neale who finished well up in the overall results.

NOW THE PHOTO

As mentioned, Fred was a tearaway so David Wedderburn and I were delegated his ‘keepers’ (to try and keep him out of mischief) and this task particularly applied on the last night of celebrations before the SA mob were going home. Fred was determined to have a souvenir of his trip and after imbibing a lot more Swan Lager than was good for him needed to be body searched.

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Chief Steward George Seeley was not impressed particularly when Fred failed to return to the bar after a visit to the toilet. In those days the centre passage was the main access to all the rooms and it housed all the photos of past Commodores. An investigation showed a gap in the sequence of Commodore’s photos and what appeared to be Fred’s figure weaving its way toward the front gates. David and I pursued the figure with some urgency only to lose it just before Irvine Street.

It was laboured breathing and an occasional moan that disclosed that Fred had rolled over a hedge and was lying face down among some prized rose bushes. We got him to his feet and recovered what was the remains of the missing photo from inside Fred’s shirt – somewhat blood stained, broken frame and glass.

While David Wedderburn took Fred back to his digs, the Claremont Hotel opposite the railway station, I went back to the Club and reshuffled all the photos in the Rogues Gallery to cover up the gap. The following day I took the damaged photo to have it cleaned up and reframed with new glass before rehanging it. We were all supposedly sworn to secrecy but somehow a complaint got back to Fred’s yacht club in South Australia and they saw fit to have him serve a period of suspension. I think George Seeley may have had a hand in this.

Several years later I noticed that a new, squeaky clean photo of Hubert had appeared. Sadly, it stands out from the others but no one seems to know who was responsible for the replacement.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT FRED NEALE

Fred proved himself to be a formidable yachtsman in Flying Dutchman and 505 Classes as well as various keel boats. He was also helmsman of the 12 metre yacht South Australia, one of the contenders to defend the America’s Cup here in 1987. Like many very talented men he was a real character with a delightful if not cheeky disposition.

After having managed Binks Yachts in Adelaide for many years Fred sadly died of cancer about 10 years ago.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 06 DECEMBER

DINGHY RACING

06 DECEMBER

SWAN RIVER RETRO SERIES RACE 3

09 DECEMBER 10 DECEMBER

12 FEBRUARY

73RD BUNBURY AND RETURN OCEAN RACE

TWILIGHT SAILING

12 FEBRUARY

POWER YACHT TWILIGHT TIME TRIAL

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

13 FEBRUARY

KEELBOAT RACING

17 FEBRUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

11 DECEMBER

2020 ICR REGISTRATION 1600 – 1800

18 FEBRUARY

12 DECEMBER

2020 ICR

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

12 DECEMBER

KEELBOAT RACING (SPECIAL COURSES)

20 FEBRUARY

ADVENTURERS CLUB

20 FEBRUARY

KEELBOAT RACING

13 DECEMBER

2020 ICR

21 FEBRUARY

DINGHY RACING

16 DECEMBER

TWILIGHT SAILING

21 FEBRUARY

SWAN RIVER RETRO SERIES RACE 5

17 DECEMBER

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

24 FEBRUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

19 DECEMBER

KEELBOAT RACING

25 FEBRUARY

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

20 DECEMBER

NO CLUB DINGHY RACING

26 FEBRUARY

KEELBOAT EVENING/NIGHT RACE

23 DECEMBER

TWILIGHT SAILING

03 MARCH

TWILIGHT SAILING

31 DECEMBER

NEW YEAR’S EVE TWILIGHT SAILING

04 MARCH

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

06 JANUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

06 MARCH

07 JANUARY

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

KEELBOAT MORNING WINDWARD LEEWARD RACING FOR SELECTED FLEETS

09 JANUARY

KEELBOAT RACING (SPECIAL COURSES)

07 MARCH

COUTA BOAT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

07 MARCH

DINGHY RACING – PM TWILIGHT SAILING

2021

44

13 JANUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

10 MARCH

14 JANUARY

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

11 MARCH

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

16 JANUARY

KEELBOAT RACING

12–14 MARCH

DRAGON STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

17 JANUARY

DINGHY RACING

13 MARCH

KEELBOAT RACING

17 JANUARY

SWAN RIVER RETRO SERIES RACE 4

14 MARCH

DINGHY RACING – PM

20 JANUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

17 MARCH

TWILIGHT SAILING

21 JANUARY

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

18 MARCH

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

22–24 JANUARY

JESS MATCH CUP

19 MARCH

23 JANUARY

KEELBOAT RACING

SWAN RIVER SAILING CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS REGATTA

24 JANUARY

DINGHY RACING

20 MARCH

SWAN RIVER SAILING 2021 WOMENS’ STATE KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

27 JANUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

20 MARCH

KEELBOAT RACING

28 JANUARY

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

21 MARCH

SWAN RIVER SAILING 2021 STATE YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

30 JANUARY

KEELBOAT RACING

21 MARCH

DINGHY RACING

31 JANUARY

DINGHY RACING – PM

21 MARCH

SWAN RIVER RETRO SERIES RACE 6

03 FEBRUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

24 MARCH

TWILIGHT SAILING

04 FEBRUARY

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

25 MARCH

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

06 FEBRUARY

KEELBOAT RACING

27 MARCH

ADVENTURERS CLUB

07 FEBRUARY

DINGHY RACING

27 MARCH

KEELBOAT RACING

07 FEBRUARY

DINGHY FLEET'S BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY

28 MARCH

DINGHY RACING

10 FEBRUARY

TWILIGHT SAILING

31 MARCH

TWILIGHT SAILING

11 FEBRUARY

KEELBOAT SPRING/SUMMER MID WEEK RACE

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Join us to Farewell 2020!

Thursday,31 December Doors open at 5:30pm

$59 adults $25 children

Ticket price includes entertainment, a meal choice from the food stations and an ice-cream for dessert.

Bookings: rfbyc@rfbyc.asn.au or phone 9286 8200