2008-2009 HARTLEY TS16 NSW CHAMPIONSHIPS

South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club : 10-12 April 2009

Updated 7 pm 14.4.2009

The Venue

The series was sailed at Sunshine on Lake Macquarie on the southern fringe of Newcastle. It was again run wonderfully well in difficult circumstances by members of the South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club (SLMASC), especially starter Peter Charlton and OIC in the clubhouse Diana Charlton. The NSW TS16 Association also thanks members of the Association and SLMASC John and Cheryl Auston, who again played a very big part in the success of the series. A special thank you to John for the use of his newly built motor catamaram, which proved an ideal committee boat. Thanks also to Ann Cowper, longtime TS16 stalwart at SLMASC, who came out of retirement to act as Assistant Race Officer. The Association specially thanks members and families of members who gave so much assistance in the clubhouse and on the water. A special thank you also from the Race Secretary to Registrar Barrie Heath, who ran the race office extremely well.

The Regatta Overall

The series was the lightest in memory and was only able to produce a result thanks to the skill and local knowledge of SLMASC Race Officer Peter Charlton. The regatta got under way satisfactorily on Friday, but the last 2 days were frustrating. Saturday morning was spent sitting in the club and socialising until racing got under way after lunch. You can tell things are quiet when the Registrar spends his time playing Solitaire on his computer! Conditions were still quite light after lunch and the RO proposed that two races be attempted with shortened windward legs and the Race Committee agreed. In the light of later events this turned out to be an inspired decision. On Sunday morning there looked like the possibility of wind early, but no sooner was the fleet on the water than conditions again lightened. After a wait, the fleet was sent ashore and the Race Committee decided that if no start could be achieved by 2 pm the remainder of the regatta would be abandoned, and that was how events unfolded. Frustrating, but at least there was enough racing to ensure a series result. Again it was was very pleasing that a number of Clubs were represented among the 22 entrants for the Regatta - Queensland 2, Drummoyne 9, Saratoga 4, Kogarah Bay 3, Bayview 1, Wagga Wagga 1, Big River 1, and Chipping Norton Lake 1. Many thanks to Don Jelfs for his help with the individual heat descriptions which follow.

Heat 1

After a short postponement 21 boats started in a 3-5 knot ENE breeze. At the first windward mark Jackpot lead Triple G Cruising, Lesley T and Xtremely Sinister. The fleet sailed the full course for the only time in the series, Jackpot was the winner in 1 hour 44 minutes and 25 seconds.

Heat 2

After a long wait the race finally started with 22 boats at 1.25 pm on a course with a shortened windward leg to take into account the very light 1-5 knot ESE breeze. Rapscallion lead at the first windward mark from Jackpot, Triple G Cruising, Xtremely Sinister and Lesley T. At the second windward mark Jackpot had taken the lead from Rapscallion, Triple G Cruising, Xtremely Sinister and Uncle Roy. At the third windward mark it was Jackpot from Rapscallion, Triple G Cruising, Xtremely Sinister and Uncle Roy. There were very light patches and the course was shortened at the leeward mark after 1 hour 44 minutes to allow a further race to be sailed that evening.

Heat 3

The race started at 3.35pm in a light 1-5 knot ENE breeze. Jackpot lead Uncle Roy, Xtremely Sinister, Allons-y! and Didgeridoo at the first windward mark. At the widnward mark for the second time it was Xtremely Sinister leading Uncle Roy, Jackpot, Lesley T and Zipper. The race was shortened after 1hour and 22 minites in failing breeze and reducing light with Jackpot finishing 6 seconds in front of Uncle Roy and Xtremely Sinister another 12 seconds behind. Half the fleet paddled back to the club and the remainder were towed in.

Presentation

Race Secretary Bob Young advised the meeting that this would be his last Championships as Race Secretary, and thanked the many people who had helped him in his 8 years in the job, then handed over to Norm and Lesley Thompson. They thanked starter Peter Charlton, OIC in the Clubhouse Diana Charlton and their many helpers at South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club for a well run and enjoyable series in difficult circumstances.. They also thanked the members of the TS16 Association and their families who had assisted both on and off the water. They made special mention of John and Cheryl Auston, stalwarts of both the NSW TS16 Association and SLMASC. Norm then announced the handicap winners and the scratch winners. Runner up Dick Voorderhake thanked those who ran the regatta and reminded all of the forthcoming Australian Championships at Drummoyne in the Christmas New Year period. Champion skipper Robert Huckfeldt also thanked all associated with organising the series and invited all to the Queensland Championships to be held early next season.

LIST OF ENTRANTS

OVERALL RESULTS

SERIES SCRATCH RESULTS

See Results for 2008-9 NSW Hartley TS16 Championships

SERIES HANDICAP RESULTS

First : Didgeridoo - Glenn Ross and Ron Kerr

Second : Zipper - Graeme and Samantha Cook

Third : Silver Fox - Trevor Bell and Asa Jamting

Fourth : Plan B - Bruce Wales and Eelke Wouda

Fifth : Ally-oop - Colin Hinwood and David Mansfield

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