2007-2008 HARTLEY TS16 NSW CHAMPIONSHIPS

South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club : 21-23 March 2008

Updated 11 pm 24.3.2008

The Venue

The series was sailed at Sunshine on Lake Macquarie on the southern fringe of Newcastle. It was again run wonderfully well by members of the South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club (SLMASC), especially starter Les Poole and chief caterer Heather Poole. The NSW TS16 Association also thanks members of the Association and SLMASC John and Cheryl Auston, who played a big part in running the series.

The Regatta Overall

The series started off wet and windy, but the weather moderated and showers became less frequent and not so heavy as time went on. The wind was from the south and south east and moderated during the series. There was some heavy rain early on Saturday. Sunday was still overcast with occasional light drizzle. Again it was was very pleasing that a number of Clubs were represented among the 20 entrants - Queensland 1, Saratoga 3, Bayview 2, Drummoyne 5, Kogarah Bay 4, Wagga Wagga 1, Big River 2, Richmond River 1 and Chipping Norton Lake 1. Many thanks to Don Jelfs for assistance with the detailed writeups which follow.

Heat 1

18 starters faced a fresh southerly breeze varying from 10-15 knots most of the time but with strong gusts in the middle of the race. The weather resulted in four retirements. At the first windward mark The Ambulance lead Rapscallion, Xtremely Sinister and Plan B, which was a foretaste of the battle for the entire series. By the second windward mark rounding Rapscallion had taken the lead, followed by Plan B, Xtremely Sinister and The Ambulance. At the third windward mark rounding Rapscallion lead The Ambulance, Plan B and Xtremely Sinister. At the finish it was a good win by 1 minute 16 seconds to Dick Voorderhake and Craig Jelfs in Rapscallion, followed by Terry McLeod and Brian Sach in Xtremely Sinister, Ken Marlsew and Nigel Short in The Ambulance and Eelke Wouda and Todd Helton in Plan B.

Heat 2

Strong winds and heavy rain in the two hours before the start dissuaded a number of skippers form taking to the water for Heat 2 and there were only 12 starters in this heat. Just before the start the southerly wind moderated and the showers reduced and the race was sailed in a 5-10 knot southerly breeze. John and Sean Horler in The Matrix lead arounf the first mark, followed by The Ambulance, Plan B and Xtremely Sinister. At the second windward mark rounding it was Xtremely Sinister, followed by The Ambulance, Plan B and The Matrix. At the third windward mark rounding The Ambulance lead Plan B, Xtremely Sinister and Minke. At the finish Terry McLeod and Brian Sach in Xtremely Sinister won by 11 seconds from The Ambulance, followed by Plan B and Minke.

Heat 3

18 starters again faced a 5-10 knot south easterly breeze. At the first windward mark rounding The Ambulance lead Allons-y!, Rapscallion and Xtremely Sinister. At the second windward mark rounding The Ambulance was still leading, followed by Xtremely Sinister, Rapscallion and Allons-y! At the third windward mark The Ambulance, had a good lead from Rapscallion, Allons-y! and Xtremely Sinister close together. Conditions were light and shifty near the finish line and minor placings changed several times. The Ambulance won by four minutes 15 seconds from Rapscallion, Plan B and Xtremely Sinister

Heat 4

18 starters face a 5-10 knot south westerly breeze so enthusiasically that the starter called a general recall, which was particularly welcomed by one entrant running very late for the start. Despite the starter using the I flag on the second start, John and Sean Horler in The Matrix were still a bit too enthusiastic and caused the starter to give them an individual recall. At the first windward mark rounding The Ambulance lead Rapscallion, Old Dog New Tricks and Plan B. At the next windward mark rounding the it was The Ambulance, Rapscallion, Xtremely Sinister and Allons-y! By the third windward mark rounding The Ambulance lead Rapscallion, Old Dog New Tricks and Xtremely Sinister. At the finish The Ambulance won by 31 seconds from Rapscallion and Xtremely Sinister. An excellent race by Peter Jackson and Tony Batch in Old Dog New Tricks saw them finish in fourth place

Heat 5

The wind had increased to 8-12 knots and moved to the south southeast for the final heat as 17 starters began the race. The Ambulance established an early lead and was never threatened, going on to win by four minutes. It was a tussle between Xtremely Sinister and Minke for second place throughout the race, with Xtremely Sinister prevailing at the finish and Minkie in third place. Rapscallion was in fourth place for most of the race and finished in that position. This resounding win by Ken Marslew and Nigel Short in The Ambulance confirmed them as clearcut winners of the series. XTremely Sinister was second in the series closely followed by Rapscallion. Plan B and Minke filled the other placings

Presentation

President Norm Thompson thanked starter Les Poole, chief caterer Heather Poole and their many helpers at South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club for a wonderfully well run and enjoyable series both on and off the water. He then announced the handicap winners, including himself and Lesley in Time as the overall handicap winners. Norm then announced the scratch winners. In an entertaining speech, successful champion skipper Ken Marslew thanked all associated with organising the series for a very successful and enjoyable event. Lesley Thompson made special mention of Les and Heather Poole, who are retiring from running sailing regattas, and thanked them for their contribution to Hartley regattas over many years. A round of applause from all present supported Lesley's comments.

LIST OF ENTRANTS

OVERALL RESULTS

Low Point Scoring System, RRS Appendix A Clause A2 - Five Races, four to count

DNS = Did not start (21 points)
DNF = Did not finish (21 points)
DNC = Did not compete (21 points)
OCS = On course side of line at start (21 points)
RAF = Retired after finishing (21 points)
DSQ = Disqualified (21 points)

SERIES OUTRIGHT RESULTS

SERIES HANDICAP RESULTS

First : Time - Norm & Lesley Thompson

Second : Hirondelle - Geoff & Andrew Smith

Third : Zipper - Graeme Cook & Paul Zielinski

Fourth : Old Dog New Tricks - Peter Jackson, Bill White & Tony Batch

Fifth : Uncle Roy - Eric Partland & Pat McDonough

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