Sailing Reports

November 26, 2018November 26, 2018

Sandy Steals The Show

The Corsairs were out in force again this weekend – this time back on their home ground at Fingal but venturing further afield than the usual Fingal reach. And for a change the aim wasn’t first across the line, it was first to the Chinderah Tavern to get our orders in for an excellent lunch. Eight boats sailed from Fingal and with the big tide were tied up at the pontoon only 45 minutes later. It was the maiden voyage for Corsair “One Too Many” with new owners Michael & Liz Grace taking advantage of a fun sail with other members to support them as they learn the ropes. Michael and Liz are new to sailing but were instantly keen enough to look for their own boat and sons Charlie and Oliver regularly attend Juniors sailing squad sessions. Some of the Juniors were also out sailing today – Kooper Wheeler getting some more practice on the Corsairs & Taj Krasna on an X3. Keep a look out for the bright pink Flying Ant “Flippant”, a donated boat newly restored by dad & daughter team Gunnar & Layla Scholz. These are a great class of boat to be crewed by two 10 to 13 year olds. With a spinnaker and trapeze they’re a big step up and just what the club needs for those who like a bit of excitement.

There are of course many exceptional people amongst the Tweed community and we’re glad it turns out that lots of them love to sail! This week’s shout out has to go to Sandy Sorenson who has been a member of TVSC since 2013 being involved in many different ways from our first women’s learn to sail course, crewing on Corsairs, helping out with timekeeping and now in training on the safety boat. This is all when she wasn’t busy with grand-kids or caring for her partner Jim in his last years. Jim was another great character in the sailing world and helped Sandy restore her beautiful Heron sailing dinghy. It was an auspicious day, 25 November, she chose to relaunch “The Good Ship Lollipop” and surprise us all by sailing solo to meet us at the Chindy. She kept it quiet, but sailing club records do not lie, so a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sandy – you’ve now reached “level 70” in the game of life. Long may you continue to be part of our sailing community and may “Lollipop” take you on many more adventures.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to pitch in, we’d love to see you. Come and have a go at sailing or safety boat driving, timekeeping, restoring and repairing boats and trailers or putting together fabulous post sailing spreads of food… there is always something creative to do – or just chill out on the bank and watch the boats.

Liz and Michael’s new Corsair, One Too Many

We sail next Sunday 2 Dec from Fingal boat ramp – 3 short Sprint Races round the buoys kicking off at 1pm. Contact the club for more info. Our next social sail Sunday 9 Dec.

November 20, 2018November 21, 2018

TVSC Competes on the Mighty Clarence – record Corsair numbers

Last weekend nearly 40 TVSC members, friends and family headed south to Big River Sailng Club’s Bridge to Breakers Regatta at Harwood on the Clarence River. The 10 TVSC boats, including 7 three handed Corsairs, competed in the marathon race on Saturday starting in a moderate breeze and sunny blue skies. An hour later, up the other end of the course, the tide was raging and the swell and wind gusts had picked up. One of TVSC’s best sailors, Peter Skinner from Terranora, on Corsair Epic went for a couple of swims with his crew Mark Storrier & Greg Martin from Uki – they were up and sailing again quickly though. Greg was completely new to the sport of dinghy sailing and loved his wild adventure as did wife Christine and son Konnor also sailing on Corsairs. As they came to the finish line 3 hours later, the sky had turned a threatening black and thunder rumbled close by. Most of the boats made it to the finish as the rain started to pelt down but two of the TVSC Corsairs, Adrift & Nimbus, had to pull in to the safety of the bank and were welcomed by local prawn fishermen to shelter in their shed until the storm passed… stories of eating freshly cooked prawns and sipping champagne may have been scurrilous rumour.

TVSC Commodore Bill Fenelon, with junior crew Kynan Luescher from Fingal and Konnor Wheeler from Uki on Corsair 199 Minnow, were the first Corsair to cross the line in the marathon race. Corsair Swell Lady still managed to finish, and in 2^nd place, despite their jib sail ripping off the wire. Deborah Flannery was the hero of the day fixing the sail as they continued to race!

Sunday saw clear skies again and racing started early getting 2 short sprints in before lunch and finishing up the regatta with another longer race in the afternoon. TVSC’s Dave Chester on Hobie 16 Sledder flew round the multihulls course beating everyone home on Saturday and did well against the Nacra’s on Sunday too until a freak wind shift stole his lead and left him in last place on the final race. He still took 2^nd place in the multihulls. Monique Smith won 1^st place in the Corsair Class on Swell Lady with Matt Andrews & Deb Flannery with Bill Fenelon’s Minnow coming 2^nd. Peter Skinner, Mark and Greg on Corsair Epic took a hard earned 3^rdprize – well done everyone.

As always, the weekend provided many stories to entertain us all at the evenings BBQ and memories to last as we look forward to the next Big River regatta next March. Nothing beats a weekend of camping and sailing adventures with friends to clear the cobwebs before we hit the silly season. The kids had a ball too – lots of space to run around together when they weren’t sailing. It was too hard to leave for some of us so we stayed an extra night but it still felt like the weekend was over in a flash. Come and join us for the next one!

Some of the SYC boys camping setup…buy one get five free???

There’s a lot more photos on our Facebook Page.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to pitch in we’d love to see you. Come and have a go at sailing or safety boat driving, timekeeping, restoring and repairing boats and trailers or putting together fabulous post sailing spreads of food… there is always something creative to do. TVSC sails next Sunday from Fingal – fun sail down to the Chinderah Tavern for lunch and back again. Start approx. 10.30am. Email tvscmail@gmail.com or call 0434 982 922 for more info.

Next racing at Fingal on Sunday 2 Dec – Sprint Series first race starts 1pm.

November 14, 2018November 14, 2018

NS14 Class going strong, race ends in disaster for Tornado

A total of 18 Boats raced on the Fingal Reach in Pointscore Race two. Five boats competed in the NS14 Class Championship, two in the Lasers and three in the Impulses. Another stunning day on the Tweed River enjoyed by 30 crew.

Epic with only big grown up people on board???

The only downside was a group of jetskis and wake boats driving at speed through the sailing fleet! The huge wave from one wake boat caused the dismasting of classic timber NS14 “Tornado”.

As a courtesy to other river users, the sailing club advises all sailors to stay out of the channel on the east side of the river so that power boats have a clear passage through and only uses a small section of the river so there is plenty of room for everyone. TVSC sails under a council permit and NSW Maritime has notice of all events (permit not required).

Based on the sail number, how old is this Laser Mauri?

Well done to 1st placed Impulse Tim Brown, 1st placed NS14 Dave Robinson & son Cooper who had a lucky break when the 2 NS’s ahead both had equipment failure and then showed great boat speed to beat previous club NS14 champion Adam Hurt to the line.

Mike often needs a massage after getting all ‘hippocampus’ on his Taser.

1st placed Laser Gary “Macca” McCrohon. Novice Junior skipper Konnor Wheeler from Uki also put in another good effort on his Sabot but the strong tide got the better of him.

Sammy on her Sabre, ‘Yeah Buoy’, getting close to the buoy…yeah!

Thanks to Val Skinner and Suzanne Blatcher in the timekeeping tent and Adrian Colnan, Bryan Townsend and Jude Allen safety boat driving.

Scott and Debbie going the distance…on ‘Nimbus’!

Our next home event is a lunch cruise to the Chinderah Tavern on the 25th of November. Please get in touch for more information. We’ll be at the Big River sailing club’s Bridge to Breakers regatta next weekend.

by Alison Blatcher

November 6, 2018November 6, 2018

Big fleet contests sprint races in hot conditions

20 boats with 37 crew raced on Sunday in the Tweed Valley Sailing Club’s 2^nd sprint race series, comprising 3 short races of one lap each. Joining the regular fleet were three “Division One” Juniors boats competing in their own race this year for the first time in the club’s history.

It was a hot afternoon on the river, with only a light breeze and a strong tide running, plus the small sailing boats had to contend with numerous Jet skis being driven through the fleet at high speed.

Just after the start of Race 1 (Division 2)

The racing was extremely close with the first finishers separated by only seconds, and several dead heats which are very rare in sailing.

Highlight of the day was the Juniors races. With Race 1 being won by Manly Junior team, Kynan Luescher (Fingal head) and Aron Colwill (Uki). Then Race two saw a determined effort from Uki youngster, Konner Wheeler sailing a club Sabot, coming from behind and won this race by a respectable margin. This was only the second time a junior’s fleet has competed with the club, and with this group learning the skills over the past years racing in the senior boats and morning training sessions, we look forward to some intense competition in this division.

In the Senior class, all 3 races came down to a very close tussle between Laser “Siesta” sailed by Great grand Master, Gary McCrohan, and NS14 “Mantana,” sailed by semi- professional sailor, Matt Andrews with junior Rigby Andrews (NOT Related!) Gary is always a top competitor and, in the past, scored 2^nd in the World Championships in Rio, in this highly competitive Olympic Class, while Matt Andrews was sailing an NS14 for the first time, with crew Rigby Andrews, also a first timer in this class. Club NS14 “Mantana”, showed it had boat speed to burn, and Matt is likely to be a very strong competitor in this class this season. Between the two boats, Siesta scored 1^st, 1^st & 2^nd, while Mantana scored 2^nd, 2^nd & 1^st.

Gary finishes just in front of Matt and Rigby.

The remaining fleet competed strongly with all 20 boats finishing within 5 minutes of the first boat.

Six boats competed in the 3 handed 16ft Corsair Class today; fastest was “Minnow” (Gunnar Scholz & Layla Scholz), 1^st, 3^rd & 2^nd; second “Capers” (Geoff Colwill & Anderson Sanders) 3^rd, 1^st & 3^rd; third Keenas”(Mark Reynolds, Craig Foley & Tara Gough) 4^th, 2nd & 1^st while fourth placed was “Melita 3” (Alison Blatcher Marg Walgers & Marcela Willis) Melita looked set to win race 2 but stalled just short of the line and dropped to 4^th place as all boats finished within 10seconds.

Seven single handed boats competed, split between 2 Lasers, 3 Impulses 1 Sabre and 1 “X3”. Fastest was Laser “Siesta” (Gary McCrohan) with 3 bullets, second Laser “Vickie 3” (Maurie Meyer) , and 3^rd was Impulse Itchy Coo (Tim Brown)

A 4-boat fleet in the Two Handed 14ft monohulls; NS14’s MG14’s Tasers and 125’s, was won by NS14 Mantana (Matt Andrews & Rigby Andrews) scoring 3 bullets, second went to MG 14 “On & Off” (David Robinson & Hugh Robinson) and third to Taser “Hippocampus” (Mike Mansted & Imogene Mansted)

There were several family teams racing; Gunnar Scholz and daughter Layla sailed Corsair “Minnow” and were fastest in this class; Scott Jones lead his team with partner, Debbie Jones and daughters Caitlyn and Sahara sailing Corsair “Nimbus”; sailing 4 up, placed Scott & family back in the fleet, but Scott is a serious sailor and Nimbus is a good boat. We will see Scott win races with the club this year. Mike Mansted sailed with daughter Imogene in 14ft Taser “Hippocampus”, and David Robinson sailed with son Hugh is MG14 “On & Off”.

Next Sunday the club gets back to long course racing with the first heat of the 14ft Division, NS14 Class Championship, as well as the Single Handers Class championship, the club is expecting to see a large and competitive fleet.

New sailors are always very welcome at our club and no experience is necessary to crew. Volunteers to drive or crew the club’s rescue boats are also very welcome. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the racing in our official tent on the river bank. Contact us.

Sid’s Mum, Marcela racing for the first time on Melita III

Bill Fenelon

October 22, 2018October 22, 2018

The Corsair Battle Commences

21 boats with 43 crew competed at Fingal Head last Sunday for the first race the season. That is quite something for only the 7th Summer Series of our local sailing club. Even the 40+ year old clubs don’t get that kind of a turn out. So, a massive shout out to all the people who have worked hard to get this club up and running and are now joined by a many others who keep it running.

We’re a hands on, everyone muck in kind of a club but as always there are some key members who form the backbone. Our Commodore Bill Fenelon is definitely the stand out here, fixing the breakages that occur in the club’s junior fleet and the seniors club boats and trailers, helping with Junior sailing and always willing to take beginners out for a sail to pass on his passion for the sport. He hotly contests both the NS14 and the Corsair Class championships every season supporting these 2 important classes of boat which have grown in number at TVSC each year.

The club now has 16 Corsairs creating a true revival of this 60 year old, 3 handed class of versatile sailing dinghy.

Eight Corsairs competed in the start of this year’s Northern Rivers Corsair Championship – Monique Smith on Swell Lady, last year’s runner up took the 1st place with Matt Andrews & Deborah Flannery her faithful crew. Close on their tail was “Keenas” skippered by Mark Reynolds providing some serious competition keen for their first taste of Corsair glory. The next four Corsairs were close together. Corsairs Nimbus – Scott & Debbie Jones; Minnow – Bill Fenelon with new crew Alfred Summers and Gunnar Scholz; Melita III – Alison Blatcher, Marg Walgers & Cara Austin and “Beards Essential” 616 Peter Ross, Mark Storrier and Andrew Jaggers are also in the running. Full Results are here.

Winners of the first Corsair Race, Monique and crew on Swell Lady.

Two Junior skippered boats also competed for the first time – Taj Krasna and Sid Willis in Manly Junior “Deep Thought” competed against Rigby Andrews and Aron Colwill on X3 “Vogsphere”. Both boats finished the tricky course – a good start for their racing careers. This was after they had helped out with Clean up Grafitti Day at Fingal.

Sid and Taj on the MJ. Winners of the junior division race.

Grandmaster Laser sailors Gary McCrohon (Tyalgum), Mauri Meyer and John Hayward were up the front of the pack as usual – Gary took the line honours this race. We also welcome another grandmaster – Paul Hargan from way out west towards Kyogle is back on his Sabre “Momentary Lapse of Reason” after a five year break. Great to have this high-level standard of sailor mixing with all levels of ability on the water.

Mauri Meyers, second place in the Lasers on Vicki II.

So, if you’re the kind of person who likes to pitch in, come down to Fingal and have a go at sailing or safety boat driving, timekeeping, restoring and repairing boats and trailers or putting together fabulous post sailing spreads of food… there is always something creative to do.

TVSC Juniors Helping Graffiti Removal Day at Fingal

Juniors & adult try sailing this Sun 28 Oct – booking essential. Email tvscmail@gmail.com or call 0434 982 922.

We’re racing again on the 4th of November with a 1 pm start time. (NSW Time)

Alison.

September 13, 2018September 13, 2018

Tweed River Passage Race. Sunday 9th September 2018

22 boats competed in the Fifth Annual Tweed River Passage Race on Sunday, sailed in sunny conditions with a variable light Southerly breeze and a strong ebbing tide.

The race started with a light sou-westerly wind and the fleet quickly drifted away from the start at Condong, with all Corsairs setting spinnakers. The breeze came & went; the fleet remained tightly together as they drifted past Tumbulgum, but after winding through the Stotts island narrows, boats started to spread out. It was a day of light and variable winds which frustrated the fleet all the way down the river until it finally settled down at Chinderah. The final leg along the Fingal reach gave the fleet a steady breeze and an opportunity to set spinnakers and have a fast finish.

The fastest boat completed the river passage in 3 hours and slowest was 4 hours.

This year’s “winners circle” was dominated by visitors; line honors going to Southport Team, Jabin & Zac Crisp in NS14 1592 “Enter the Dragon”, completing the river passage in 3 hours 6 mins, although it took a long time to separate from the fleet, the freshening afternoon breeze in the lower river, gave them the speed to get ahead and win by five minutes.

Second boat to finish, 4mins 30 seconds behind, was Laser “T”, (Tom Slocombe), from Paradise Point and third placed Laser “Dreadnought” (Peter Fell) from Tweed.

4^th was Tweed Laser “Bluey”, (Kate Yeomans) then 5^th local Laser, Silent Partner”, (John Heywood).

The Lasers got 7 of the top 8 positions and enjoyed a very close race.

Yardstick Results, First Place went to Laser “ T”, (Tom Slocombe), 2nd was Laser “Dreadnaught” (Peter Fell), 3rd Impulse “Itchy Coo” (Tim Brown), 4^th Impulse “Splitter” (Lex Branch), 5^th NS14 “Enter the Dragon” (Jabin & Zac Crisp) and 6^th Corsair “Swell Lady” (Monique Smith, Deb Flannery and Matt Andrews)

3 divisions of One Design mono hulled sailing boats competed, which included 12 single handers with results based on yardstick, (8 lasers, 3 impulses & 1 X3) 3 x 2 handed NS14’s and 7 x 3 handed Corsairs with a total of 41 sailors 7 rescue boat crew and 10 shore side support crew.

Single handers; 1^st Laser “T”,(Tom Slocombe), 2^nd “Dreadnaught” (Peter Fell), 3^rd Impulse “Itchy Coo” (Tim Brown), 4^th Impulse “Splitter” (Lex Branch)

NS14’s; 1^st “Enter the Dragon” (Jabin & Zac Crisp), 2nd “Zarzan” (Adam Hurt & Tom Busbridge) 3^rd “Impulsive Max” (Robert Preston & John Taylor).

Corsairs; 1^st “Swell Lady” (Monique Smith, Deb Flannery and Matt Andrews)

, 2^ndKeenas (Mark Reynolds, Craig Foley & Dave Chester), 3rd “Minnow” (Bill Fenelon, Elizabeth Gough & Jacob Loughridge) 4^th Capers (Alison Blatcher, Matt Colnan & Adrian Colnan) and fifth Odin” (Daniel Sieders, Andrew Jaggers & Bron)

The Tweed Valley Sailing Club would like to thank all those people wo help out to make this event possible.

The clubs next event will be the first Race of summer season on Sunday the 7^th of October.

Bill Fenelon

August 7, 2018

The race that turned Swell Lady pink

At the helm with B. Townsend & A. Blatcher

Commodore Bill Fenelon is away again at the helm of tall ship “South Passage” this week sailing from Townsville to Palm Island and then around Hinchinbrook Island. Back at the ranch, down at Fingal the sailing club races go on without him.

Last Sunday afternoon a zephyr light breeze blowing with a strong incoming tide almost thwarted the first race of the final day of the Winter Race Series. 15 boats, including 7 Corsairs and 4 NS14’s, lined up for the downstream start with 36 sailors on board. Race 1 saw the early lead by the Lasers eroded by the NS14’s and Corsairs on the following legs. Lex Branch on Impulse “Splitter” had a very satisfying day with a first on scratch in race 1, 10 minutes ahead of half the fleet. Mark Reynolds, Matt Andrews & Charlie Grace were next taking 1st in their class on Corsair “Keenas”.

The pink lady crew of Corsair Swell Lady.

A light breeze was no barrier to having fun on the water with the crew of Corsair “Swell Lady” dressing up in an array of pink paraphernalia to entertain the fleet when the wind died. Even wearing a pink mohawk mask, ace crew, Deborah Flannery still managed to set their pink spinnaker to great effect giving them a well-earned 3rd place in their class in the 2nd race.

Double Winner Lex Branch on Impulse Splitter.

The single-handers came back again in race 2 with the first 3 places on scratch taken by Lex Branch, (first again) and then John Pring and Kate Yeomans on Lasers. Alison Blatcher, Liz & Oliver Grace got a 2nd in the Corsairs on Melita III and a 1st in the next race with Camille Lettieri taking over from Oliver. Russ Timbs with Rave Chester & Sid Willis also had an exceptional couple of races, leading the Corsairs for a long time in race 2 but the unpredictable Tweed River wind shifts took them down to 5th. The NS14s/MG14s were also struggling – Junior Tom Busbridge put in an excellent effort with on board coach Adam Hurt on “Zazen” to take 1st in their class in race 1 and was just pipped by Dave Robinson & son Cooper in race 2. Dave & Cooper also got a 1st place on handicap – a great result for them. New members Sandie Williams & Roger Clark got some on board coaching in the second race from ace sailmaker and usual Swell Lady crew, Matt Andrews and they took 2nd in the corsair class on club boat “Rockin’ Robyn”.

Sid Willis crewing on Corsair 677 with Russ Timbs & Sleepy Rave

The Juniors put on a good show today too. Thomas Busbridge skippering NS14 Zazen and Kynan Luescher and Taj Krasna sailing a 125 for the first time. Taj & Kynan were so impressed with having a spinnaker to play with that they made the most of a the wind when it arrived and sailed passed the course mark and on up the river. The tide beat them trying to get back – our kind safety boat driver gave them a tow. These two 11 year olds likely won’t be crewing on the seniors boats in races anymore now they’ve proved themselves capable of handling their own boat, the river is theirs! The day finished with the usual sausage sizzle and plenty of time to sit around and chat. Our safety boat drivers and timekeepers were Bryan & Muriel Townsend, Geoff Carter, Suzanne Blatcher and Marcela Piackova. If you would like to join this friendly support team do get in touch – training given. If you would like to get involved with the sailing club, on or off the water please get in touch.

Taj and Kynan rounding the bottom mark in the 125.

Our next event is the 5th annual marathon “Tumbulgum Passage Race” from Condong to Fingal Head on Sunday the 26th of August. Open to all entrants who can fit under the Tumbulgum Bridge! Following the race from the river bank makes for a perfect day out. Starting at Condong about 10am with breakfast available from 8am at Clarrie Purnell Park. Bring your camera, best photo emailed in after the race gets a TVSC T-shirt !

July 24, 2018

Ideal Winter Sailing

Perfect conditions were experienced by the fleet racing in the Tweed Valley Sailing Club’s Race 5 of the 2018 Winter Point score Series.

Racing followed a different format this week, with three short sprint races replacing the usual one long race.

This meant a lot more work for our timekeeper, Suzanne Blatcher, but kept the action closer to the spectators, for those watching from shore.

Another big fleet got involved, with 16 boats and 34 crew, split into 3 main divisions, single handed: Lasers and Impulses, two handed 14ft NS14’, and three handed 16ft Corsairs.

Dave getting his lean on in the morning.

One multihull joined the races Hobie 16, “Sledger” (Dave Chester and Rigby Andrews and was able to complete each race in just over 15 minutes, while the closest monohull was 3 minutes behind.

Corsairs were the biggest fleet with 7 boats and 22 crew competing. Fastest today over 3 races was “Swell Lady” (Monique Smith, Matt Andrews & Deb Flannery) winning two races, and second was “Keenas” (Mark Reynolds, Taj Krasna & Craig Foley) , and third was Minnow (Bill Fenelon and a whole bunch of kids).

It was a good fleet of these one design boats with two crews in new boats having they’re first race.

New Members Scott and Debbie Jones racing with their daughters on their new Corsair, Nimbus.

In the NS14, two new boats competed and both boats show good boat speed and kept up with the leaders.

Peter on his Laser in the lead at the start of Race 2. Kate not far behind!

Fastest today was Single Handed Laser “Bluey” (Kate Yeomans). Kate has only been sailing for a few season but is winning everywhere she goes at the moment. Today Kate scored first finisher in 2 races and second in the other.

Second in the single handers was Impulse “Rosie” (Adam Hurt) and third was another impulse “Splitter” (Lex Branch)

Sid on the helm of a club X3, enjoying the winter sun.

Juniors and Adult Learn to Sail was held in the morning in fairly light conditions.

Michael and Liz Grace from Banora on their third lesson with TVSC and loving it.

Next club event on the Fingal Reach will be the final race of the winter series, Race 6 on the 5^th of August, followed by the long-distance river passage race from Condong to Fingal on the 26^th of August.

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018

Juniors Sailors Steal the Show

At the helm with … Taj Krasna

Commodore Bill Fenelon is at the helm of tall ship “South Passage” this week sailing from Cairns so two of our younger sailors have taken over the report writing task.

17 boats raced this week with 34 people sailing in race 3 of the TVSC Winter Series at Fingal. Breeze was 7 – 15 south easterly which meant an upstream start. The Lasers, missing trophy winners Gary McCrohon and John Hayward, were led by Peter Fell the whole race. Peter Redmond kept a frustrating few seconds ahead of Mauri Meyer with Mauri getting it down to a 2 second gap at the finish line. Peter Fell took 1^st on Yardstick time corrected results with Kate Yeomans on a Laser 4.7 second and Monique Smith on Corsair Swell Lady up with the leaders again at 3^rd.

The 7 Corsairs were quite spread out after Swell Lady with Daniel Sieders and Marg Walgers on “Odin” only a minute and a half behind but the next finisher was a whole 6 minutes later. Corsair “Capers” with Mick Okeefe, Jana McGeachy & Kirby Edwards brought up the rear of the fleet but still did well beating NS14 skippers Andrew Jaggers & Mark Banbury on yardstick.

Peter on his Laser with Robert on his NS14, with Tara crewing.

Tara Beth (Burringbar) has recently returned from a womens coaching weekend in Townsville with Olympic bound sailor Shelley White. As a relative beginner she was keen to try out her new skills crewing with Robert Preston on the club’s new NS14 “Impulsive Max”. She was pleased with their result – 7^th across the line and 1^st in the NS14 class – and is looking forward to getting more racing experience with the club’s varied fleet.

The heroes of the day were juniors Taj Krasna and Aron Colwill who got the chance to sail in their first race on the club’s X3. You can read their reports of the experience below. Sid Willis filled in for Taj’s usual crew spot crewing on the adults boats –with Corsair “Keenas” and Kynan Luescher and Nina Colwill on Corsair “Melita III”

Taj Krasna with crew Aron Colwill on X3 Heron

Taj Krasna skippered his first race last Sunday on X3 “Heron” with crew member Aron Colwill. Taj and Aron set off on a cautious start but soon picked up pace. On the second lap they had a malfunction to the centreboard rubber, sending Taj overboard. He had a bit of a swim back to the capsized boat. They shivered their way back to shore, accompanied by a pair of dolphins, also out for a fun time! All in all it was a pretty good day! (Taj Krasna – Fingal Head)

This was my first experience as a 10 yr old sailing a boat with Taj an 11 yr old, I felt really excited and cold. Taj fell off the boat and I knew I was going to capsize if I turned around to pick him up, but I still did so. The water felt freezing. I waited with the boat whilst Taj swam back. He had lost his water bottle and his cap. I got up on the centreboard to pull the boat upright. But we were facing the wrong direction so we got the safety boat to pull us around. My sister Nina 12 was helping on the safety boat. Finally I got the boat upright with help from Taj. We went back in, having completed two laps, to get warm and dry. One of the other sailors retrieved Taj’s cap and returned it to him and he was very grateful. We are planning to do it again soon, without the capsize next time! (Aron Colwill – Uki)

Next race Sunday 8 July midday briefing and crew allocation at Fingal Boat ramp. Come down and join the timekeeping team in the spectators’ tent and see if Mauri can get ahead of the two Peters next time.

If you would like to get involved on or off the water email tvscmail@gmail.com or call Alison 0434 982 922.

June 4, 2018

Strong Winds Decimate Fleet in Race 2

15 boats carrying 34 crew turned up to race on Sunday but after viewing the cold and rough conditions on the river, some boats were to remain dry on their trailers, as the clubs Lasers “Great Grand Masters” (over 65 YO’s) elected to stay dry and watch from the spectator’s tent.

Gusty and difficult conditions, with a strong ebbing tide combining with a 25 knot Southerly made for a challenging afternoon sailing on the Tweed River, with only half the fleet completing the course. Many boats capsized and the water was cold.

12 boats started the race and only 6 boats finished, as the challenging conditions wore the fleet down.

Perennial winner, Dave “Chest bond” Chester, on his Hobie 16, and sailing new crew, Sid Willis, got back in his usual position in the front of the fleet, lapping everybody and getting home 24 minutes ahead of the first mono hull. Dave likes to be in front!!! and measures his success by how many boats he can lap, and so was very happy with today’s performance.

Back in the real race, (the monohull fleet) first to finish was single-handed Laser “Black Duck”, sailed by Grand Master (or rather, Mistress!) Kate Yeoman, getting the gun from 2^nd placed monohull, Corsair “Minnow” by 20 seconds. It was a typical tenacious effort for Kate who once worked in the NT as a crocodile wrangler. Kate never gives up and came from behind to take the lead in the final lap as the two leading monohulls crossed tacks and change positions several times in a battle to the finish. No more than 30 seconds separated these two boats the entire race.

Again, the Corsairs were the dominating Class with 6 of these Classic Aussie 16ft three handed boats competing and all setting spinnakers. It was a good day for the crew on “Minnow” (Bill Fenelon, Kynan Luescher, Miles Browne and Scott Jones). Always a front runner in the stronger breezes, and this week sailing with 4 crew, lead the entire fleet for the first two laps and won the Corsair class.

3^rd boat to finish and second Corsair was “Keenas” (Craig Foley, Mark Reynolds and Taj Krasna.) The Keenas boys were always in the hunt and are definitely the major improvers in the Corsairs. Eventually finishing 3 minutes behind Minnow after a brief disaster when Mark went for a quick swim.

Next to get home and in an unfamiliar position 7 minutes back, was Club Champion Corsair “Swell Lady” Monique Smith, Matt Andrews and Deb Flannery), after also suffering a minor disaster, dropping their spinnaker into the water (which is like a giant and very effective sea anchor and caused an explosion of loud sailor talk on the boat!!!). Until this mishap, it was business as usual on Swell Lady and they fought a very close battle for the lead with Minnow. They never recovered their position following this disaster but did manage to sail on and finish after completely re rigging their spinnaker while sailing up the beat to windward.

Another Corsair has joined our fleet, sailed by Peter Ross, Mark Storrier & Roger Clark, making a total of 15 of these boats registered to race with the club.

Three boats competed in the two handed 14ft class, which featured a new Club owned boat, NS14 “Impulsive Max” kindly donated by the South Brisbane Sailing Club. This boat sailed its first race with the club, crewed by Robert Preston and Racheal O’Hagan. It was hard work in the 14ft division with many capsizes. Impulsive Max was first home in this class and followed by another club NS14 Blu Tack sailed by Andrew Jaggers and Matt Colnan.

Juniors sailing is growing strongly on the Tweed with large group coming down each weekend and learning the skills. Juniors sail in the morning on small boats, then double up as crew on the racing boats in the afternoons.

Many thanks to our shore-based support team that make racing possible. Suzanne Blatcher (Head Time Keeper) assisted by Barry Callanan and Sandy Williams, and our rescue boat team, skipper Bryan Townsend and crew Adrian Colnan.

Next Race on the Fingal Reach will be on the 24^th of June.

New sailors are always welcome and experienced is not required to crew.

Rescue boat drivers and crew are needed, you need a NSW Boating licence, or crew in the rescue boat and log your time towards a licence.

For any enquiries, please phone Bill Fenelon on 0411 123 405.

Category: Sailing Reports