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News & Events - Victoria
Dear Skippers and Crews of the Vic Classic Fleet.
Our 2011/2012 Summer Series of races restart this Sunday, Feb 5.
This race will be conducted for the Association by RYCV Race Director David LeRoy.
Attached are the documents that carry the Entry list, assigned Handicaps and Sailing Instructions.
Although our race this Sunday is the 5th race of the series it’s designated as Race 3.
Postponements of our previous Summer Series races in 2011 for weather reasons have bought about this situtation.
In a race series, the race subsequent to a postponed race carries the race number of the postponed race until that particular race is completed.
One small note about the Sailing Instructions for this race.
Section 11 Radio Communication states the RYCV Race committee will monitor VHF Channels 16 and 73. If a yacht is required to contact the Race committee the process is to use channel 73 for the first call up attempt. If no response is received on Channel 73 and if the call up requires verbal contact with the race committee then Channel 16 can be used as the call up channel to the race committee . The Race committee is then to be requested to use Channel 73 as the working channel.
The Australian Maritime College web site has a pdf copy of the Marine VHF Radio Operators Handbook
2012 Festival of Sails Results.
The overall winner of the Parks Victoria Trophy for the Classic Division of the 2012 Festival of Sails was Martini.
Consistent sailing by Ross Clark and Michael Williams, as a two up team throughout the series, allowed Martini to repay Ross and Michael for the time and effort they have given her.
Another piece of inspired sailing was that shown by Windward II in race 4 of Series. She gave Jim Woods and his team of crew members a line honours and first on handicap performance.
The Association was represented at the 2012 Festival of Sails by Windward II, the signature Classic boat of the series. Martini for the best of the series performance, Wanita with Richard Gates and his crew performed better than expected in the prevailing wind and sea conditions and Ella, with Michael Mactavish, competed well when permitted to the RGYC sailing committee.
The Association is working with the RGYC Sailing committee and the Festival of Sails event people to make a notable Classics Association participation at the 2013 event.
A comment about start line barging
At the start of race 4 in the Classic Division of the Festival of Sails a serious barging incident that ended with the spearing of the race committee boat occurred.
This incident is a reminder our boats are displacement hulls. Because of forward way they are not easily turned away to avoid collisions.
The start of our races is one of the great moments of our Classic Yacht racing. Stirring and heart stopping stuff. That’s why we race our boats.
Barging incidents are caused either by too early a commitment to the start line or looking for clean air prior to the start and approaching to the start above the committee boats windward approach line. These start tactics will always lead to barging. At the last moment the person on the helm finds there’s no weather room to tack away. Boom goes the dynamite with right of way leeward boats required to take collision avoiding action.
As well as racing under the rules of the Blue Book that we all know and love, remember we also sail under the prevention of collision convention provisions and local marine safety regulations. These provisions and regulations apply all the time when either sailing or racing.
No one is in the right when a collision occurs.
That’s it for now.
Weather permitting we can hit that start line safely and on the dot of 10:30am
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
Classics Association Handicapper
Dear Classics Skippers and Crews.
A short note on various items to start our 2012 Classics racing calendar.
New Members
First up the Association extends a welcome to our two new members.
Robin and Diane Kerr with their truly great Vanessa.
Vanessa is known globally as one of the best ever 8 metre yachts to be on the water.
Festival of Sails Geelong Jan 26/27/28
10 entries in the Classic Division. 6 from the Associations Fleet.
The Association will promote the 2013 Festival of Sails as a Classic Yacht event.
Feb 5 1st race of 2012
Race 3 of our Summer Series is scheduled for a Royals conducted race with a 10:30 start on Feb 5
Although this will be our 5th attempt at racing in this 2011/2012 summer series, the Feb 5 race is designated Race 3, due to its postponement from December 11 to Feb 5.
The usual paper work will be generated next week.
Our sailing weather has to be better this year.
Feb 10/11/12 NZ Classic Yacht Regatta
The signature event of Classic Yacht Racing in New Zealand.
A fair sized contingent is set up to represent our association at this kindred association event.
Cameron Dorrough is our contact person for those who dream of up close classic racing from yesteryear.
Feb 19 Summer Series Race
Normal Mass start at 10:30 over one of the Classic courses set by HBYC.
March 4 Pursuit Start Co-event Mental Health Cup
This race, a pursuit, starts at Royals. Scratch boat 10:30am.
For the first time this race will co-event with the Royals conducted Mental Health Cup for the Mental Health Research Institute.
Racing with us, over the same course, will be performance yachts from Royals and other keel boat clubs.
Give way to the elderly will be the racing rule of the day.
The Mental Health Cup is a Royals fund raising event, ongoing since 2007.
If skippers or crew of any yacht from our fleet that know someone that can assist by sponsoring their yacht then contact David Seaman, Royals V/Cmmdre, at 0411141271.
Below is a link to the page on the MHRI web site that promotes the Mental Health Cup.
http://www.mhri.edu.au/event-detail/title/Sailing%20for%20Sanity%202012
March 10 &11 Geelong Wooden Boat Festival
Details of this event have been sent by RGYC to previous event entrants.
These details have been mounted on our web site.
The Festival presentation dinner, sponsored by Tim Phillips “Wooden Boat Shop” is set for the Sunday evening, Larry Pardy, guest speaker.
The Classics Association has arranged for a table of 10. Let’s know if interested, $50.00 a head.
March 24 Queenscliff Maritime Festival
A no fee Queenscliff Marina berthing deal has been set up by Tim Phillips of the Wooden Boat Shop. Tim is the organiser of the racing part of this event.
It will allow skippers, intending to enter this event, flexibility to time their sail to Queenscliff.
The option exists to sail there after the Wooden Boat Festival.
Transportation of skippers and crews to and from Queenscliff at various times is an issue to be sorted out.
April 1 Pursuit Race Conducted by Royals
End of series celebrations and knees up on Royals lawn.
So till next week.
Best of Sailing to the Skippers and Crews of the Classic Associations fleet entered in the Festival of Sails Classic Division.
Best of sailing weather for our first 2012 race to the rest of us.
Regards
Peter Costolloe
Dear Classics Skippers and Crews.
A short note on various items to start our 2012 Classics racing calendar.
New Members
First up the Association extends a welcome to our two new members.
Robin and Diane Kerr with their truly great Vanessa.
Vanessa is known globally as one of the best ever 8 metre yachts to be on the water.
Festival of Sails Geelong Jan 26/27/28
10 entries in the Classic Division. 6 from the Associations Fleet.
The Association will promote the 2013 Festival of Sails as a Classic Yacht event.
Feb 5 1st race of 2012
Race 3 of our Summer Series is scheduled for a Royals conducted race with a 10:30 start on Feb 5
Although this will be our 5th attempt at racing in this 2011/2012 summer series, the Feb 5 race is designated Race 3, due to its postponement from December 11 to Feb 5.
The usual paper work will be generated next week.
Our sailing weather has to be better this year.
Feb 10/11/12 NZ Classic Yacht Regatta
The signature event of Classic Yacht Racing in New Zealand.
A fair sized contingent is set up to represent our association at this kindred association event.
Cameron Dorrough is our contact person for those who dream of up close classic racing from yesteryear.
Feb 19 Summer Series Race
Normal Mass start at 10:30 over one of the Classic courses set by HBYC.
March 4 Pursuit Start Co-event Mental Health Cup
This race, a pursuit, starts at Royals. Scratch boat 10:30am.
For the first time this race will co-event with the Royals conducted Mental Health Cup for the Mental Health Research Institute.
Racing with us, over the same course, will be performance yachts from Royals and other keel boat clubs.
Give way to the elderly will be the racing rule of the day.
The Mental Health Cup is a Royals fund raising event, ongoing since 2007.
If skippers or crew of any yacht from our fleet that know someone that can assist by sponsoring their yacht then contact David Seaman, Royals V/Cmmdre, at 0411141271.
Below is a link to the page on the MHRI web site that promotes the Mental Health Cup.
http://www.mhri.edu.au/event-detail/title/Sailing%20for%20Sanity%202012
March 10 &11 Geelong Wooden Boat Festival
Details of this event have been sent by RGYC to previous event entrants.
These details have been mounted on our web site.
The Festival presentation dinner, sponsored by Tim Phillips “Wooden Boat Shop” is set for the Sunday evening, Larry Pardy, guest speaker.
The Classics Association has arranged for a table of 10. Let’s know if interested, $50.00 a head.
March 24 Queenscliff Maritime Festival
A no fee Queenscliff Marina berthing deal has been set up by Tim Phillips of the Wooden Boat Shop. Tim is the organiser of the racing part of this event.
It will allow skippers, intending to enter this event, flexibility to time their sail to Queenscliff.
The option exists to sail there after the Wooden Boat Festival.
Transportation of skippers and crews to and from Queenscliff at various times is an issue to be sorted out.
April 1 Pursuit Race Conducted by Royals
End of series celebrations and knees up on Royals lawn.
So till next week.
Best of Sailing to the Skippers and Crews of the Classic Associations fleet entered in the Festival of Sails Classic Division.
Best of sailing weather for our first 2012 race to the rest of us.
Regards
Peter Costolloe
Dear Skippers and Crews of our 2011/2012 Summer Series
Another serious disappointment to all the skippers and crew intending to start in today’s Summer Series Race 3 when informed today’s race was postponed.
My concern with the increasing number of races abandoned over the last year is the impact on our enthusiasm. Race after race we prepare and then comes another let down.
A decision to abandon a race is a decision of the last resort. Protest jury’s I sit with, rake over every fact made known to them, before an abandon race decision is made. This same process was applied by the conducting yacht club race director and your association’s handicapper regarding the race 3 postponement decision.
Our Sailing Instruction clause 10 states a race on the Bay, when existing and forecast wind conditions exceed 25 knots on the Bay, will not start. This wind speed base line is safety based and has evolved from the association’s Classic Yacht sailing experience on the Bay in wind gusts and rough seas.
Below are some items that I wanted to mention after our last race of the year BBQ.
Australian Register of Historic Vessels activity.
Maybe this news is already known, but the historic importance of our Classic Yacht racing fleet continues to be recognised. The Australian Register of Historic Vessels is a process used by the Australian Maritime Museum to place on record, the importance and the contribution that individual boats have made to Australia’s maritime history.
Recently Camerons Dorroughs, “Bungoona”, was included on this register. Cameron’s detailed and comprehensive presentation of “Bungoona’s” provenance allowed the ARHV Council to make a unanimous decision for inclusion of “Bungoona” on their register. This ARHV inclusion and recognition is not easily attained. Every boat on this register is special to Australia. Congratulations to “Bungoona” and to Camerons efforts. No doubt her previous owner, our great mate “Col Bandy”, who, in his long sleep still sails in her, was a guiding spirit to bring about this recognition. Cameron’s story behind the process to have “Bungoona” included on the register is told in a great article, included the current issue of the Classic Yacht Association magazine.
The second boat of our fleet to be included on the ARHV is a yacht that until “Australia II” came along was the most celebrated racing yacht in the country. This yacht came about from a combination of the best minds of associated with Australian ocean racing to take on the rest of the world in this endeavour. The culmination of this national effort was the winning of the 1967 Admirals Cup. This yacht was the lead in design for Ben Lexan of “Australia II’s” fame and history. The ARHV Council recognise this inclusion on their register would never happened had not her current owner applied the care and effort, over his 25 years of ownership, needed to sustain a powerful ocean racer to the condition she was originally built to.
The Classic Yacht Association offers their congratulations and the Australian Maritime Museum say thank you to Martin Ryan for his sustained efforts and affection to that still premiere Australian Ocean Racing Yacht, “Mercedes III”.
A search on the ARHV website for “Bungoona” and “Mercedes III” will show the full story on the importance to Australia’s Maritime History of each yacht. A presentation of the ARHV listing documents will take place at a later date.
So when we are out there competing in our Summer and Winter series of races, our fleet is not only an eclectic showing of yachts from the Golden Era of Classic Yacht racing, we are also a fleet that is representative of Australia’s Maritime History. We now have 7 yachts from our fleet on the ARHV. On going work with the ARHV curator, David Payne, will lead to several more of our fleet being nominated for inclusion on the ARHV.
Of note as well, is the recognition the Australian Maritime Museum place on Classic Yacht Association and the assistance the association provides, in the national promotion of the Australian Register of Historic Vessels. Damian Purcell of “Scimitar” and one of our association’s executive members is a member of the ARHV council.
Some other items I wanted to mention at today’s BBQ.
The scheduled date change for the first two 2012 summer series races.
We now enter the time of the Big Sleep. To awaken us, our 2012 first race is now on Feb 5 followed by Feb 19. These date changes will allow members to participate in the New Zealand Regatta on Feb 12 and will provide a better time lead into the busy 2012 March sailing activity. Our web site calendar has been modified to show these changes. The RYCV and HBYC sailing calendars also show these date changes.
The Geelong Wooden Boat Festival.
The story I put out this week to skippers regarding the start of the Festival passage race from Portarlington has been received with no negative comments. The GWBF people have been informed of this and will shortly issue a Notice of Race. This means the Classic Yachts will race as a fleet to the festival and generally will arrive as a group. How the fleet makes the sail to Portarlington can be worked out next year.
I’ve been informed the GWBF after dinner speaker for this event is Larry Pardy of the Lyn and Larry Pardy fame.
The postponement of Race 3 has caused a logistical problem for our onshore presence at the GWBF. I had arranged for a video to be made of this race. Hopefully we can obtain copy of sufficient quality, namely lots of sailing action, in the next 2 races. The GWBF people want us to make a big splash of our fleets sailing action.
So that’s it for the year.
As you read this, after the race that never happened, you’ll have to imagine you can hear the pipes of David McKenzie of “Mercedes III” providing us the tune of Auld Lange Syne, telling us to say goodbye to the old year of 2011 and reminding our boats to look after us in the year of 2012 with the words of that great Scottish melody, “Speed bonny boat, like a bird on the wing.”
All the best to our boats, skippers and crews for the soon to be Christmas Season and New Year
Regards
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear skippers and crews of yachts starting in the Classics Summer Series Race 3,
Attached are the Race 3 Sailing Instructions and the list of Entries with their allocated handicaps. As race 2 was abandoned there have been no handicap changes.
Race 3 will be conducted by the Hobson’s Bay Yacht Club under the direction of Tony Dawson, Race Director and Bob Tanner ex-ORCV Commodore.
There have been two amendments to the sailing instructions. The first in Section 11 Radio covers the VHF Radio call up procedure to contact the Race Committee. The second is a new section 14 that covers procedures for use of engine power to keep clear of the shipping channel.
In today’s press there have been reports of a big rise in the marine safety infringement fees. I’ll have more to say next week. The Association made a submission to the Dept. of Transport Marine Safety on the subject.
As this weekends race is our last for 2011, our exec people requested me to put out a special call to all members to join in our BBQ at Royals. As well as being our last after race get together for the year, it’s a chance to remember our boats with some pre-festive season cheer and Auld Lang Syne celebration.
So, it’s time to start living again and get set to hit that line on the button at 10:30 am. Safely, of course, not like last week.
As a message wrap up I’d like to send a cheerio call to Reg Walsh from Renene. I met up with Reg last week in the place where all old croc’s meet. An ultra sound imaging clinic. Say no more except Reg is working hard to be to back racing on Renene.
So regards to all and ready about,
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear Skippers and Crews of our Classic Yacht Summer Series.
Abandoned race. That’s 2 out of 3 this series. Disappointment for sure about the abandoned race.
What wasn’t abandoned was the enjoyment of a great day on the water with our boats. Although the wind and water conditions were difficult, some spectacular classic yachting images have been recorded by Scott McDonald. Take a look here.
We had 15 starters on the day. It’s always a great sight to see our fleet assembling to prepare for the start. Jim Harrison on the helm of Dingo hit the line, just in time, after a tortuous beat against the river out flow from St. Kilda. Shamrock with Rod Fuller on the helm was also again on the water with us.
As usual Mercedes III had her start well timed and cleared out on the fleet with Boambillee powered up and crew working hard to stay in touch. Tortuous is hardly a sufficient word apply to Cyan. She also had a blinder start but the river flow, or better still Rip, did her in when attempting to round the first mark.
Although Dingo and Ellida did well on the first beat, it was the boats using spinnakers, such as Marie Louise III, Wanita, Boambillee and Mercedes III, that cleared out and kept the wind with them till the run back up the river. The other larger canvassed boats such as Pastime and Sayonara also had the good luck to miss the dying wind in the Station Pier vicinity. Jean and Ellida also did well on the run to the number 70 turning mark.
Lily Guy with Bil Johnson and his 1st mate Garfield also reported a great start. But sad to relate, they were done in by the spinnaker using boats.
Sometimes those boats leading the fleet don’t have all the luck. Due to the wind direction, Mercedes III was forced into the river outflow. Lots of boat speed but no great speed over the ground. Boambille and Sayonara made the O mark before the wind died. Wanita, Pastime and Marie Louise III found wind and minimal river outflow by staying close inshore along the Dockyards. However after the O Mark, Boambillee, Sayonara and Wanita had sufficient following wind that allowed them to rock their way rather than sail through the River outflow and tide inflow to reach the Mark 81. Not so for anyone else.
Around this time our Royals race director stepped in with an abandon race decision. The determination was a combination of continuation of no wind at mark 70 and the high speed of the river outflow that would not allow the 3 leading boats to finish within the maximum elapsed time allowed. A shorten course decision was not possible as the boats still stuck at Mark 70 the first time would not have been given a fair chance to finish in time and redress claims would not be possible to resolve.
We all know these light or no wind conditions happen from time to time. With this in mind the disappointment of the abandoned race was overcome by being on the water with our boats and living again.
Speaking of disappointment, there was a barging incident at the start of today’s race.. While skippers are forgiving of other boats being caught in situations that lead to barging, the big problem is the flow on effect. That is, other boats forced into manoeuvres that comprise their safety. That start line is there for all of us to hit on start signal, provided it’s done within the Racing Rules of Sailing. In today’s incident, Wanita was forced to take collision avoiding action which in turn caused her subsequent problems. Apart from costs due to boat damage , in this case nil, and loss of boat use, all on water incidents have to be logged in the Classic Yacht Safety Incident Register. When damage to boats occurs on Port Phillip due to an on water incident, the current Marine Safety regulations require an incident report to be submitted to our Water Police. Who wants that?
So on to the next race. This will be run by the Hobsons Bay YC on Dec 11.
Summer Series Race Date Changes.
Next Feb in 2012 two Summer Series race dates have changed. Feb 12 has been bought forward to Feb 5 and Feb 26 has been bought forward to Feb 19. these changes now give us a week break leading up to the March 4 Summer Series race and the following weekend at Geelong Wooden Boat Festival on March 10. Before these changes it was going to be full on for 3 and a bit weeks.
I’ll put out constant reminders as confusion was caused with the previous sailing date changes. Our Web site calendar and those of the conducting clubs now reflect these changes.
2102 Geelong Wooden Boat Festival March 10
We are now in touch with the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival organisers. More details requesting member support for the Classics on shore presentation will be provided at the time of the next race.
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear Skippers and Crews of our 2011/2012 Classic Yacht Association Summer Series Race 2
Attached are the entries, handicaps and Sailing Instructions for Race 2 of our 2011/2012 Summer Series.
The penultimate race for 2011 will be conducted by the Race Director of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, David LeRoy.
The wind forecast for Sunday looks good.
As previously mentioned, our Association has committed to an onshore presence at the March 2012 Geelong Wooden Boat Festival. Heading up this effort for the Classics is Cameron Dorrough and myself.
To start the process of mounting a professional presentation, I’ve asked Scott McDonald to assist with our multimedia and web page stories. In addition to those images of our Melbourne Classic fleet racing, we are looking for national and global Classic yacht racing material.
To complement the still images that Scott provides to us after each race, we welcome other still and video images, captured during our racing this Sunday, for a start. From my experience, taking any type of image during racing is not an option. It’s full on concentration and any lapse is met by comments from the skipper. So to those who can multitask, see what you can do. We can quickly review images using the Royals system in the bar.
After Cameron and I meet with the Geelong people to find out their onshore display rules, we will do a virtual set up run through. This will be our first step to determine what support we need from our members. Any suggestions or support offers from members who have been through similar ordeals are welcome. I’ve been involved in organising and setting up several corporate displays, they are ordeals. We want this display an enjoyable experience.
The theme of our on shore presentation is to present a meeting place for all those dreamers and practitioners of Classic Yachting. The guidelines for our presentation are the objectives as defined in the Rules of our Association. I included an attachment to refresh our memories of these objectives.
No doubt I’ll be using this platform to update the membership on what’s going on from time to time and issue requests for help from time to time. By the time the Festival comes around, I expect to have an enthusiastic and organised team ready to go. It will be a challenge and great fun as we will also be involved in on water activity while attempting to run an on shore activity.
The first request is simple. I’m asking for indications from those members considering attending the Geelong WBF. Either on water or on shore.
So with these comments in mind, it’s time to start living again.
It’s time to nail that start line on the dot, (safely of course), at 10:30 am this Sunday.
Let’s go
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear Skippers and Crews of the Classics 2011 Summer Series Race 1.
Attached are the results, including the Back Calculated Handicaps, for Race 1. The record of the current series points and Presidents Trophy point’s status is also attached
Finally our sailing weather favoured us. A warm 10-15 knot northerly with no burning sun. Not often these conditions happen, particularly for our Classics racing.
To see Classics appearing from all points around the top end of the bay to start in the race is one of the rewarding sights of the day. There was Ellida and Galatea coming out to battle with Zephyr and Dingo. Pastime stretching herself like a greyhound before a race. Bungoona pacing herself with Jean and Serifa. Behind the fleet’s race preparations was Sayonara, that definition of power and elegance preparing to hit that line hard. Amongst all this were those two perennial no holds barred performers, Cyan and Marie Louise III. Who’s day was it to be between these two?
The effort taken by all those skippers and crews who started on Sunday was rewarded with a day where our boats had an opportunity to show us their thanks for looking after them. I suspect our boats comments about some of their skippers and crews racing them best not be heard.
When the racing was all over, congratulations went to Martini’s skipper and crew for their top performance of the day. With Ross Clark on the helm and calling the starting shots, Martini hit the line on the gun, with clear air and a drama free beat to the top mark and giving Marie Louise III a scare, she never looked back. Clean shy kite handling, kite gybing and minimal digs to the finish on the right side of the course gave her handicap honours. Martini definitely found her slot and kept it. Ross and his crew were the guns of the day.
Consistency is the word for Dingo with Jim Hutchinson on the helm. With a second on corrected time, she has maintained the pattern that in every race since returning to the water part way through the previous winter series, she has always improved on her previous result.
Martin Ryan on the helm of Mercedes III took out line honours and a third on corrected time. His call for a wind shift 10 seconds before the start put him into clean air. Rounding the top mark a full two minutes + ahead of the fleet and his crews shy kite handling allowed him to pull away to lead the fleet home.
The corrected times of Wanita and Boambille indicted how tight the racing was between them. After a kite handling battle, George Fisscher on Boambille’s helm finally shook off Richard Gates on the helm of Wanita on the final beat. The fleet behind Wanita owe her some thanks for pointing them in the right direction to the mark after the run.
Matilda with Richard Hart bought some Couta Boat competition to the fleet. His 4th on corrected time performance reminded us to never underestimate the Couta’s. His beat back to the finish line was text book sailing.
There was one Classic performance that stood far above the fleet’s performance on the day. This was the race performance by Lily Guy with Bil Johnstone on her helm. The spirit of Bils grandmother had to be onboard. I watched Lily Guy for most of the race. Never a foot wrong with her handling. The most stirring sight was to see her beating across from the channel, a faultless tack and then to the line. The definition of Classic Yachting was the sight of Lily Guy coming to line to greet the race committee for a fifth on corrected time. The Hobsons Bay Yacht Club Race Director, Tony Dawson, and his committee made a special mention to me of Lily Guy’s performance. I was requested to pass their applause to Bil Johnstone and his 1895 Corio Net Boat, Lily Guy.
When looking over the corrected times and comparing them with the 47 minutes difference between elapsed times that varied from 97 to 144 minutes, the allocated handicaps for the fleet that has a wide performance diversity seem to be working. Discounting the 1st two and the last three the corrected times are in multiple groups of boats with close corrected times over a corrected time variation of 6 minutes for 12 boats.
The tender mercies of the handicapper will revise allocated handicaps of the first 3 corrected time placing getters. Maybe the last on corrected time too.
So that’s one race of our Summer Series finally in the can. We can only ask for a repeat of the Sundays sailing conditions on November 27.
Some house keeping comments
There’s a small number of additional items we need to start work on now that our Cup Regatta is put away.
We have to work out how the Association can support those skippers that decide to enter the Classic Division of the RGYC Festival of Sails Regatta held over the 2012 Australia Day weekend. Geelong are anxious for Classic Yachts from the Association to be part of their Festival. Those skippers that are considering going to Geelong for the Australia Day Regatta, let me know if they want crew support to / from or during the regatta. This process of Association based crew support is the what we are considering for the Classic support for 2012 Queencliffe Weekend.
The Association has committed to supporting the 2012 Geelong Wooden Boat Festival over the Labour Day Weekend. The Assoc. exec. wish to set up a specific group of Classic people to look after all aspects of the Associations participation at this Festival. Classic people wanting to be involved creating our onshore presence at the GWBF let me know.
The guide to our presentation at the GWBF is found in the Objects of the Association as described in the Associations Rules.
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To promote and encourage the restoration, preservation, research, knowledge and ownership of Classic Yachts.
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To organise, promote and hold events of any and all descriptions for Classic Yachts or their owners, former owners, crews or former crews and their families.
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To promote and increase public awareness of Classic Yachts and their history.
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To do anything necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Executive Committee that may advance the interests of Classic Yachts, their owners, former owners, crews or former crews or Members of the Association.
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To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects powers of the Association
Last be not least, our AGM is on at 6.30 pm Friday Nov 25 at RYCV.
Any apologies pass them on to me.
Enough for now. Next race is Nov 27
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear Skippers and Crews of the Classics 2011 Summer Series Race 1.
Attached are the results, including the Back Calculated Handicaps, for Race 1. The record of the current series points and Presidents Trophy point’s status is also attached
Finally our sailing weather favoured us. A warm 10-15 knot northerly with no burning sun. Not often these conditions happen, particularly for our Classics racing.
To see Classics appearing from all points around the top end of the bay to start in the race is one of the rewarding sights of the day. There was Ellida and Galatea coming out to battle with Zephyr and Dingo. Pastime stretching herself like a greyhound before a race. Bungoona pacing herself with Jean and Serifa. Behind the fleet’s race preparations was Sayonara, that definition of power and elegance preparing to hit that line hard. Amongst all this were those two perennial no holds barred performers, Cyan and Marie Louise III. Who day was it to be between these two?
The effort taken by all those skippers and crews who started on Sunday was rewarded with a day where our boats had an opportunity to show us their thanks for looking after them. I suspect our boats comments about some of their skippers and crews racing them best not be heard.
When the racing was all over, congratulations went to Martini’s skipper and crew for their top performance of the day. With Ross Clark on the helm and calling the starting shots, Martini hit the line on the gun, with clear air and a drama free beat to the top mark and giving Marie Louise III a scare, she never looked back. Clean shy kite handling, kite gybing and minimal digs to the finish on the right side of the course gave her handicap honours. Martini definitely found her slot and kept it. Ross and his crew were the guns of the day.
Consistency is the word for Dingo with Jim Hutchinson on the helm. With a second on corrected time, she has maintained the pattern that in every race since returning to the water part way through the previous winter series, she has always improved on her previous result.
Martin Ryan on the helm of Mercedes III took out line honours and a third on corrected time. His call for a wind shift 10 seconds before the start put him into clean air. Rounding the top mark a full two minutes + ahead of the fleet and his crews shy kite handling allowed him to pull away to lead the fleet home.
The corrected times of Wanita and Boambille indicted how tight the racing was between them. After a kite handling battle, George Fisscher on Boambille’s helm finally shook off Richard Gates on the helm of Wanita on the final beat. The fleet behind Wanita owe her some thanks for pointing them in the right direction to the mark after the run.
Matilda with Richard Hart bought some Couta Boat competition to the fleet. His 4th on corrected time performance reminded us to never underestimate the Couta’s. His beat back to the finish line was text book sailing.
There was one Classic performance that stood far above the fleet’s performance on the day. This was the race performance by Lily Guy with Bil Johnstone on her helm. The spirit of Bils grandmother had to be onboard. I watched Lily Guy for most of the race. Never a foot wrong with her handling. The most stirring sight was to see her beating across from the channel, a faultless tack and then to the line. The definition of Classic Yachting was the sight of Lily Guy coming to line to greet the race committee for a fifth on corrected time. The Hobsons Bay Yacht Club Race Director, Tony Dawson, and his committee made a special mention to me of Lily Guy’s performance. I was requested to pass their applause to Bil Johnstone and his 1895 Corio Net Boat, Lily Guy.
When looking over the corrected times and comparing them with the 47 minutes difference between elapsed times that varied from 97 to 144 minutes, the allocated handicaps for the fleet that has a wide performance diversity seem to be working. Discounting the 1st two and the last three the corrected times are in multiple groups of boats with close corrected times over a corrected time variation of 6 minutes for 12 boats.
The tender mercies of the handicapper will revise allocated handicaps of the first 3 corrected time placing getters. Maybe the last on corrected time too.
So that’s one race of our Summer Series finally in the can. We can only ask for a repeat of the Sundays sailing conditions on November 27.
Some house keeping comments
There’s a small number of additional items we need to start work on now that our Cup Regatta is put away.
We have to work out how the Association can support those skippers that decide to enter the Classic Division of the RGYC Festival of Sails Regatta held over the 2012 Australia Day weekend. Geelong are anxious for Classic Yachts from the Association to be part of their Festival. Those skippers that are considering going to Geelong for the Australia Day Regatta, let me know if they want crew support to /from or during the regatta. This process of Association based crew support is the what we are considering for the Classic support for 2012 Queencliffe Weekend
The Association has committed to supporting the 2012 Geelong Wooden Boat Festival over the Labour Day Weekend. The Assoc. exec. wish to set up a specific group of Classic people to look after all aspects of the Associations participation at this Festival. Classic people wanting to be involved creating our onshore presence at the GWBF let me know.
The guide to our presentation at the GWBF is found in the Objects of the Association as described in the Associations Rules.
- To promote and encourage the restoration, preservation, research, knowledge and ownership of Classic Yachts.
- To organise, promote and hold events of any and all descriptions for Classic Yachts or their owners, former owners, crews or former crews and their families.
- To promote and increase public awareness of Classic Yachts and their history
- To do anything necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Executive Committee that may advance the interests of Classic Yachts, their owners, former owners, crews or former crews or Members of the Association.
- To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects powers of the Association
Last be not least, our AGM is on at 6.30 pm Friday Nov 25 at RYCV.
Any apologies pass them on to me.
Enough for now. Next race is Nov 27
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear 2011/2012 Summer Series Skippers and Crews
Attached are the entries, allocated handicaps and Sailing Instructions for our Nov 13 Re-sail of Race 1 of the 2011/2012 Summer Series.
This race is officially race 1. When our first attempt to conduct Race 1 on Oct 16 was postponed due to high winds, the signals flown from the Royals Signal mast by the Race Director indicated a race postponement to be sailed another day.
Sunday’s race will be conducted by Hobsons Bay YC.
Weather wise, present forecasts indicate decent racing conditions for once.
To those Classics members in Victoria that wish to participate in our Associations racing action on the Bay, let me know. With some early warning we can arrange a sail for you. The deal will be to be ready to go aboard about 9.00 am with a return of about 1.00pm. You need to equip yourself with wet weather gear.
To stop ourselves going stale, we need to keep sailing.
So it’s hit the line time again
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear 2011/2012 Summer Series Skippers and Crews
Attached are the entries, allocated handicaps and Sailing Instructions for our Nov 13 Re-sail of Race 1 of the 2011/2012 Summer Series.
This race is officially race 1. When our first attempt to conduct Race 1 on Oct 16 was postponed due to high winds, the signals flown from the Royals Signal mast by the Race Director indicated a race postponement to be sailed another day.
Sunday’s race will be conducted by Hobsons Bay YC.
Weather wise, present forecasts indicate decent racing conditions for once.
To those Classics members in Victoria that wish to participate in our Associations racing action on the Bay, let me know. With some early warning we can arrange a sail for you. The deal will be to be ready to go aboard about 9.00 am with a return of about 1.00pm. You need to equip yourself with wet weather gear.
To stop ourselves going stale, we need to keep sailing.
So it’s hit the line time again
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
Dear Regatta Skippers and Crews Weds Nov 2 2011
Congratulations to all participants in the classic 2011 Cup Regatta.
The number of boats and people that competed in this Regatta event provides stimulation to all of us for sustaining that committed effort we put in our Classic Boats.
Regatta highlights were never ending.
In fact, they started from the previous Classic Cup Regatta of 2010 when our kindred Classic people from New Zealand made accommodation bookings for a return to this regatta. Their presence and participation would have to be the first of the many notable events in the 2011 Regatta.
With the CYA flag from New Zealand flying from the Royals signal mast port cross arm we were constantly reminded of our close Trans Tasman friends and affiliations.
The Regatta happenings actually started on the Wednesday with the arrival of Mark Bergins Couta Boat “Blondie” from Blairgowrie assisted by that well known supernumerary, Roger Dundas.
Next day our Regatta fleet from Mornington arrived. First Was “Athena” with Martin and Anne Bryan and then followed by our Regatta Beauty Queen from Greek Mythology “Oenone” . “Renene” with Kent Bacon arrived in the afternoon of Friday and Tim Phillips with “Storm Bay” arrived late Friday night after battle with the Bays northerly storm. On the Total Commitment Index, Tim is at 1. The TCI for rest of us will always be at a fraction of that number. A special thanks must go to Peter Lloyd, “Marie Louise” for the early liaising with Steve Ioniades, the Royals Yard Manager, and Martin Bryan, “Athena”, on the Thursday to make the tie up of our Classics a drama free event.
With the Classic/Couta Guineas Challenge abandoned due to adverse Bay conditions the sensation of “Oh No” not again for the Regatta passage race after the cancellation of the previous Regatta passage race was quickly put the bed. From that previous experience, the Regatta Race Committee modified the Sailing Instructions to allow the Royals Race Director, David LeRoy, to assign suitable Regatta courses based on prevailing conditions. A wise move it turned out to be.
Our Friday night Classics cocktail session and follow on dinner was a big numbers event. At the time it was not understood, in hindsight though, the enthusiasm at this Regatta cocktail event was an indicator as to how the Regatta was to be.
That Friday night enthusiasm carried over for our Saturday morning Regatta passage race. With the visiting Kiwi crews, assigned by Roger Dundas to their allocated boat, our Classic fleet hit that start line for a short windward beat before settling down to the race.
Weather, sun and sea conditions turned in our favour to produce those wished for sailing conditions.
All the fleet from “Oenone” to “Acrospire”, “Storm Bay” and “Sayonara” with their finish line tacking duel, stirring stuff, and Jim Hutchisons “Dingo” showing who was the top Tumlaren of the day, revelled if these Port Phillip Bay champagne sailing conditions. Producing those Admirals Cup winning ways, race line honours were taken by “Mercedes III”. “Oenone took Classic Yacht division handicap honours after a wind seeking battle with Kent Bacon’s “Renene”.
Inside the Couta Boat division another consistent performance by the “Loama” threesome led by Joe Tuck gave her a corrected time 1st for her division with Jean pushing hard. Hayden Warszewski with “Scoundrel” showed how it’s done with his line honours attack.
The Ann Street puff added its share to the racing evolutions of the day by delivering a knockdown puff to Alwyn. With lee gun’ell under and her cockpit coaming taking in the overflow, those 1923 Classic lines, of her designer Alfred Blore of Hobart, kicked in. Under a balanced helm, she went higher and faster as she used to in her prime Hobart racing days.
Subsequent discussions with Beaconsfield Parade foreshore spectators confirmed the St. Kilda to Port Melbourne Classics windward beat, to be a people and car stopper show of Classic Yachting at its best.
To remind the fleet whose really in charge, the Bay provided conditions that caused the two round the sticks Sunday races to be Cancelled.
For the fleets Monday Pursuit race the Bay slightly relented. Race Director, David Leroy provided a fair course for the sea and weather conditions and a distance that would provide a close pursuit race finish for the majority of the fleet. Scratch boat Col Andersons “Acrospire III”, having a dream race with topsail flying and lee gun’ell down, ran the fleet down to take out lines honours. Between the 2nd placer of Richard Gates “Wanita” and the 10Th placer of Cameron Dorroughs “Bungoona” 6 mins and 50 secs seperated them after a elapsed time of 2½ hours. Helen Lovett and her crew held their nerve to keep “Oenone” sailing in her slot and not be run down by the chasing fleet of “Dingo”. “Athena”, “Zephyr” and “Mercedes III” .
Taking a combination of Pursuit Race line honours and a 1st on corrected time was John Raff’s net boat“Jean” for the Couta Boat division. Joe Tuck’s “Loama” and Mark Bergins “Blondie” were done in by the fading breeze.
Bring up the respectable Pursuit Race tail end was Peter Costolloe’s “Alwyn” of the Classics and Richard MacRae’s “Claire” of the Couta’s
In addition to the pursuit race action there was action a plenty inboard on Sayonara. Doug Shields with Dave Allen on the helm had no worries, they had the Kiwis. With the usual Kiwi resourcefulness and inventiveness the problem was resolved. Although she missed the racing action Sayonara’s presence provided a visual spectacle to the fleet.
After all Regatta racing evolutions were completed it was time to relax at the Classic BBQ and discuss with the skippers and crews of competing Classic yachts those memorable moments. Moments that provide our Classic yachts the opportunity to show their love of their owners and skippers.
Our exceptional Classic BBQ didn’t happen by itself. Providore activity by Col Anderson and Richard Gates and the cooking implement skills of Roger Dundas and Mark Bergin assisted by the Royals catering staff provided the finishing touch with variety of salads. I’m happy to report justice was done to the effort of our BBQ people by a complete demolishment of all the presented sustenance.
Overseeing and managing all the Regatta social activities was Pip Todd. On top of managing the financial aspects of our annual subscription renewal program, Pip handled the financial and ticketing process of both the Regatta social events, the Classics Cocktail and Classics BBQ. A performance handled with Pip’s usual skill and grace. Assisted by Mark Bergin, Pip handled the arrangements to provide the BBQ with a great live music background. The Regatta is indebted to Pip.
An introduction to Regatta Trophy presentation was provided by the pipes of David McKenzie from Mercedes III with a rendition of the Skye Song to remind us of those dreams the skippers and crew have of our beloved Classic yachts. “Speed, bonny boat like a bird on the wing”
CYAA President Doug Shields provided words of solace to all those that participated as sailors or spectators and presented the various trophies.
2011 Cup Regatta Trophies were awarded as follows.
Couta Boat Division
1st on corrected time
Race 1 Loama with Joe Tuck and Mathew Fewster
Race 2 Jean with John Raff
1st Overall Couta Boat Division was Jean with John Raff
Classic Yacht Division
1st on corrected time
Race 1 Oenone with Helen Lovett
Race 2 Acrospire III with Col Anderson
The Col Bandy Trophy for 1st Overall Classic Yacht Division was Oenone with Helen Lovett.
Stradbroke II Trophy for best performing yacht across combined divisions.
Awarded to the Classic Beauty Queen of the Regatta, the 1901 Linton Hope designed
Oenone with Helen Lovett. (Loud and generous acclamation when result announced)
To complete Regatta trophy award ceremonies the Trans Tasman trophy, awarded to the visiting Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand member based on the performances of each yacht crewed during the Regatta.
The Trans Tasman trophy for the 2011 Regatta
Larry Paul of Waitangi for his crewing performance on Oenone. (Riotious Kiwi and Aussie acclamation when result announced)
Trophy winners were each presented with a 2009 vintage generously provided to the Classic Yacht Association by Portsea Estate Vineyards, through the good offices of Martin Ryan of Mercedes III. For those that wish to have a better acquaintance to this vintage from Portsea Estate Vineyards. Their vineyard is a few moments down the road from Tim Phillips Wooden Boat Shop in Hotham Rd. Portsea. Take a look at their web site to for their story and sales outlets. http://www.portseaestate.com/
The 2011Classic Cup Regatta had a significant Australian Maritime History flavour. 5 yachts in the 2011 Regatta fleet are listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels. Storm Bay, Alwyn, Avian, Sayonara and Windward II. Unfortunately for Jim Woods “Windward II”, mast stepping logistics took over and prevented her from starting. A top drawer 1929 Classic Yacht from our fleet that was sadly missed.
One other historic aspect of the 2011 Cup Regatta was the presence of Storm Bay and Alwyn sailing together. Both yachts participated in the Hobart Regatta’s of 1920’s. This 2011 Cup Regatta was the first time they had sailed together since those days.
Now we say goodbye to our 2011 Classic Yacht Cup Regatta and farewell to our kindred classic yachts men from New Zealand.
On water photos of boat in both races snapped by Scott McDonald of Pastime can be viewed at
So with dreams of our bonny boats speeding like a bird on the wing we can bide awhile. Our next CYAA regatta event will be our on shore and on water participation with the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival March 10/11th 2012.
There’s an open invite to all our members to reciprocate and participate in the CYANZ Regatta in Feb 2012.
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper