In this issue...◆ Easter Cruise ◆ Commodore’s Ball ◆ Sails Awareness Program

◆ Pittwater Centenary Regatta ◆ Two Island Race ◆ Race Re-scheduling and more

JibSheetAn Avalon Sailing Club Publication April/May 2007

A

www.avalonsailingclub.com.au

Two Island Race

Phot

o by

Ian

Crai

g

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From the TillerBy the time this edition of Jibsheet goes to press we will have completed the 2006/07 sailing season and be heading into our winter program of activities. So it is an appropriate time to say a big thank you to all our members, competitors, parents, helpers, sponsors and committee members who have contributed to the successful running of Avalon Sailing Club throughout the season. I look forward to celebrating the season with you at the presentations for both the yacht and centreboard divisions on 26th and 27th May.

After a week of rain, the Interclub Picnic at Portuguese Beach on 29th April was a glorious day in all respects. The Avalon flotilla of response boats and numerous private vessels shuttled everyone across Pittwater for a day of socializing and fun. In the tug-o-war, Avalon regained the interclub trophy (no opposition), whilst kids v parents and boys v girls were hotly contested events. Sack races and the egg tossing and catching competition entertained the crowd who were quietly enjoying the now traditional oyster shooters. Thanks to Geoff Sherman whose secret shooter recipe has been a part of the picnic day for more than 10 years. Also my thanks to Angus Gordon and Henry Zylmans, the Commodores of RPAYC and BYRA, for personally supporting the event.

The Pittwater Centenary Regatta proved to be a highly successful event over the weekend of 21/22 April. Probably the most spectacular aspect was seeing the fleet of historic 18’ skiffs racing the length of Pittwater each day. More than 100 boats competed in centreboard and inshore and offshore yacht divisions. Avalon boats were amongst the place-getters on day 1 with Dragon Lady (Robyn and David Hyde) 2nd on handicap in the inshore yacht division. I had the pleasure of sailing with Peter Gale on Ozad Force 8 and taking two firsts on handicap in the offshore sprint races. Avalon crews also took out the handicap results in MJs, Panda (Clare Costanzo and Hanna Lanz), Flying 11s, Ooching (Wil Coxon and Oliver Bell) and 29er/420/Cherub, Sparta (Tim Forbes-Smith and Matt Mayall). Congratulations to all who participated for being a part of this historic event. Full centerboard results appear later in Jibsheet and photos and yacht results can be viewed on the RPAYC website and Afloat.

The wine tasting evening on 24th March was a very pleasant evening for the small number who attended. Damian Percy hosted the evening with a delightful range of West Australian and South Australian wines tasted. Sales on the night raised money for the club. Any ongoing sales will also raise funds for the club, so please take advantage of the order form included with this Jibsheet.

The statistics for our centreboard division for the 2006/07 season are pretty impressive…….around 80 new sailors were introduced to the sport during the season, 62 through Blue Division and remainder through Red and Gold. At the end of the season we had 34 sailors active in Gold and 25 in Red. For the coming season, I expect there will be more growth, with the Flying 11 fleet growing to 18 boats and a nucleus of 29ers being established. It is also likely that we will also see a fleet of Lasers starting to grow!!

In order to ensure that the yacht division is similarly invigorated, the Committee resolved at the last meeting to:

• Run a sprint racing day on Sunday 20th May, with up to three short windward/leeward races commencing at 11.30am. Divisions dependant on entries.

• Plan for a coaching day or two utilizing the services of our current centreboard coach, Richard Scar. Dates to be determined.

• Invite all active and would be yachties to a meeting on Wednesday 6th June commencing 7.30pm at Terrey Hills Tavern to discuss fleet development, program, sailing instructions and training for the coming season.

I’d appreciate hearing from members interested in participating in any of the above to gauge the interest, either by phone or email to asccommodore@optusnet.com.au.

During autumn and winter, there will be many club activities available to keep members active and fit for next season. The yacht winter series starts at the end of May, centerboard training days have been planned, social activities ahead include the Commodore’s Ball (get on the dancing shoes), centreboard presentation and a Golf Day.

I look forward to seeing you on and off the water.

Happy Sailing!

Geoff Fogarty

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Pittwater Centenary regattaCENTREBOARD DIVISIONSThirty boats across 10 classes competed. The breeze was light and variable E/SE 5 to 10 knots and racing was delayed for two hours waiting for the breeze to arrive. Two heats were sailed with triangular courses south of Scotland Island. Racing was close in all classes with two dead heats.Presentation was held at BYRA.Host Clubs – Avalon Sailing Club and Bayview Yacht Racing Association.

RESULTS – SUNDAY 22 APRIL 2007DIvISION 1 – MANLY JUNIORHANDICAP1st – Panda, Avalon SC, Clare Costanzo and Hanna Lanz 2nd – Blown Away, Avalon SC, Richie Castle and Liam SpeedySCRATCH1st – Full Throttle, Avalon SC, Michael Koerner and Sam Nesbitt

DIvISION 2 – FLYING 11HANDICAP1st – Ooching, Avalon SC, Wil Coxon and Oliver Bell2nd – Insight, Avalon SC, Gemma Rasdall and Isabella Wells3rd – Mischief, RPAYC, Claire Bryan and Elyce McCollandSCRATCH1st – Heroes and villains, RPAYC, Matthew Crawford and Amy Smith

DIvISION 3 – SPIRAL AND LASERSHANDICAP1st – Laser Radial 174313, RPAYC, Makayla Whitton2nd – BYRA Spiral, BYRA, Ian Donaldson3rd – Laser 4.7 160269, RPAYC, Neal Bromfield

SCRATCH1st – Light and Hasty, RPAYC, Cameron Edwards

DIvISION 4 – 420/29ER/CHERUBHANDICAP1st – 29er Sparta, Avalon SC, Tim Forbes-Smith and Matthew Mayall2nd – 420 Actrapid, RPAYC, Matt Taylor and Ben Taylor3rd – 420 49848, RPAYC, vincent Langen and Martin LangenSCRATCH1st – 420 Hit and Run, RPAYC, Robert Crawford and Bonny Shaw

DIvISION 5 – ACCESS DINGHIES/2.4 METRE HANDICAP1st – Access Dinghy Brogden Bite, Sailability Pittwater, Helen Cregan and Alyse Saxby2nd – 2.4 Metre AUS 3,Sailability Pittwater, Ron Montegue3rd – Access Dinghy Motty, Sailability Pittwater , Lindsay DalmanSCRATCH1st – 2.4 Metre AUS 11, Sailiability Pittwater, Alan Jones

HISTORIC 18fT SkIffSBOAT NAME SKIPPER Race1 Race2 TOTAL PLACEAber Dare Rob Tearne 3 8 11 5Alruth Jeremy Sharp 7 5 12 =8Australia Grant Rolies 2 2 4 1Australia Iv John Winning 4 1 5 2Mistake Chris Haskard 6 4 10 4Scott John Eiles 1 6 7 3Top Weight John Tierney 5 7 12 =8Yendys Ian Perdriau OCS 3 12 =8

Photo by Ian Perdriau

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Sails Awareness ProgramA special thanks to Toni fox and all the ASC members who donated sails for this wonderful program. Below is a lovely letter from Peter Gately the SOS Program Manager. If you still have pre loved sails in the garage please contact Toni fox at ASC or Peter Gately:9 Victory PlaceFlynn ACT 26156251 2000 (w) Phone6253 2700 (w) FaxWeb site: www.sails.wordpress.come-mail: petergately@dodo.com.auhttp://sails.photosite.com/

Dear Toni,

Just a short note to say thank you for your support for the Sails Awareness Program. The recent trip to Mauritius and the Seychelles was most successful. Numerous “Sails” demonstrations were held in both countries using different sails and boats. I taught for two days in the Maritime Training School in Victoria the Capital of Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles and was given an inspection and tour throughout the Maritime Training School in Mauritius. I taught sailing and “safety at sea” to the students in the Seychelles and put the lessons into practice by going sailing on two afternoons with them. In the Mauritius Maritime School there were no students there when I visited but they have a very wide range of courses – for beginners to the more advanced fishermen/students. Many fishermen and students cannot swim nor float and following a request for feedback I have recommended that swimming and floating lessons be initiated for Maritime and school students through the east African Islands.

Discussions were held with government officials regarding the Sails Program receiving tax exemptions for sails, halyards, pulleys etc. The response has been positive so far, and transporting the sails via shipping or air services is being investigated and we are hopeful of a positive outcome. Once the sails have reached Mauritius, the distribution - to the Seychelles, Madagascar, the Comoros, the Maldives and the east African coast using Mauritius as a central hub – will be by small fishing/cargo boats. Some fishermen do have sails on their boats but these are generally of poor quality and all of those I met were very impressed with the quality of Australian sails, and said that they could use them on their boats. Other fishermen did not have masts but were ready to install one and have a sail attached to it ready for use.

Photos of the sails on boats, sailing and sail demonstrations are on the net at: http://sails.photosite.com/

Thank you again for your support.Yours SincerelyPeter GatelyS.O.S Program Manager

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Dancing with the Stars Ball Ticket Order FormSend this form to Celia Craig, 29 Duff Street, Turramurra 2074. Phone 9488 7416Here is my cheque/credit card authority for $_________ Please reserve ______ places for me.Name __________________________________________________________________________Phone __________________________________________________________________________Avalon Sailing Club Credit Card AuthorityPlease circle type of card Mastercard Visa Expiry ■ ■ ■ ■■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Signature _______________________________________________

✂

Share a glass of bubbles under the

stars then look forward to a night

of great food, great company, great

dancing and trophies for a season of

great yacht racing.

$60 per head includes champagne on

arrival (then BYOG), 2 course meal,

live entertainment and excellent

service.

Prize for best ‘star’ (celebrity or other,

let your imagination run wild) and

best decorated table.

Yacht Racing, Cruising and

Centreboard Divisions adults – book

early to make sure you get a place.

This event is always booked out.

RSVP asap to Celia Craig.

Dancing with the StarsSaturday 26 May at the Clubhouse - 7pm till Midnight

Imagine … a night dancing under the stars - with the stars!

THE COMMODORE’S BALL 2007HH

H

two island race Photos by Ian Craig

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YACHT RACE NEWS fLASH!Quartet Bowl Heat 1 will be resailed on Sunday 6 May.

Warning signal will be 1225. A BBQ will follow and participation in this race and BBQ will also contribute to the Cumberland Cup to make up for the abandoned

September family Race.

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A Cruising Easter: NorthThis year’s Easter cruise is a tale of two destinations. We on Hagar (Paul and Bev Sinclair) took extra time off and so could take up the option to go north to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. The remaining cruisers were looking at a Southerly trip to The Harbour.

We looked at the weather on Thursday night and decided that it looked too ugly with 30Kt Southerlies and rain forecast for Good Friday so decided departing Saturday would be much better. When the rain cleared on Saturday we loaded up Hagar and went across to The Basin to be ready for an early departure. We were joined over there by Jim and Sue Flaye on Kate Kelly who had made a similar decision as us. We were also joined by Tom and Choedon Coventry and their daughter on Marama. We had a fine time sharing stories over drinks before the Hagar team withdrew for an early night.

Saturday dawned with Hagar off Barrenjoey in a light breeze from the S/SE, but a very confused sea. We took out number two reef and got well underway. As the morning wore on the breeze picked up to about 18 – 20 Kt and Hagar was constantly sitting above 7Kt with the slightly reefed genoa. When a squall rushed in on us with wind above 25Kt, driving rain and whipped up seas we reefed the genoa to a handkerchief and were hitting speeds of 10Kt at times. A little exciting, but as soon as the squall passed the seas rapidly abated and we had a very enjoyable and fast trip into Newcastle. When conditions quietened we trawled for fish but got nothing.

Newcastle was fun. Saturday night we found a great Italian restaurant in Darby Street, (home to about 30 restaurants), that turned out to have great food and the most enormous serves, so that neither Bev nor I could finish either entrée or main courses! Sunday we walked out to the end of the Nobbys Breakwater and back. Sunday evening we checked out the newly renovated Albion Hotel which is just over the road from the marina. The beer garden used to have some wobbly old tables with a rotten canvas umbrella poked in beside an old garden shed. Now it has all been cleaned out and with the addition of new furniture looks a real treat. The inside has also been done up nicely. The best thing though is that the new owners are even friendlier, the food is better and the prices have not gone up.

Monday morning Hagar left Newcastle Harbour just as one of the many ships sitting outside waiting made its way up the channel. - It does put the size of a sailboat into some perspective! The expected 10-15Kt from E/SE did not arrive so we motor sailed down to Lake Macquarie entrance so that we could make the 11:00am bridge opening that we had booked. Trawling yielded no fish. This meant that we were coming in about 1 ½ Hours prior to high tide. All proceeded very easily until we were two channel buoys away from the lake. We had been easing along in 7ft when suddenly we were aground, stuck! As a couple of power boats went passed and kicked up wake we tried to motor through but without success. We called LM Coastal Patrol whose base was about 200m east of us but the NSW Maritime boat pulled up alongside and offered to tow us off. He told us that there is a small sand spit that protrudes into the channel and that it was about the 1000th boat that he had pulled off. He thought that maybe they should move the channel buoys.

Monday night we had a peaceful, warm evening in Crangan Bay. The only boat present once the ski boats stopped coming after about

4:00pm. We did, however, have a strange incident not long after we went to bed. We were awoken from sleep by someone on shore speaking through a megaphone. Paul went up on deck and could see several people with torches walking on a track through the scrub. Apparently they were firemen looking for a reported fire and wanted to know if we had seen one! We hadn’t seen anything, but did wonder afterwards if it was our anchor light, (a miner’s lamp), that someone from a distance had mistaken for a fire. Tuesday we enjoyed a bright sunny day. We enjoyed a lazy sail under genoa alone into Wangi Wangi where we picked up supplies. We over-nighted on the western end of Pulbah Island.

Our original intention was to leave the lake just after the high about 5:00am on Thursday but after our grounding we decided that we would leave Wednesday afternoon on the high tide and sail back down to Pittwater in the dark. Although there was a southerly change predicted it was to be SE and 13-18 Kt so we thought we should be fine.

Just as we sailed passed Moon Is. At about 3:30pm the wind started to rise and it was coming straight out of the south. There was very little swell fortunately. We started our series of tacks. As the wind continued to build to 18-20Kt we squibbed it and decided that a quick trip was better than being out longer than needed so pointed Hagar straight down the coast and motor-sailed. As the night progressed the southerly front came through with wind sitting at about 25Kt for about 2 hours. We poked along at about 4½ Kt throttled back so that we did not pound into the sea that had risen with the wind. The last 2 hours we had the engine off and were doing 5-5½ Kt. There is no way that you can get lost coming down the coast; as there is a long line of ship’s lights on your port and the scattered lights of the central coast on the starboard. Coming into Pittwater is pitch black though! There is the comforting light on Barrenjoey Head but nothing on Lion Island, Box Head or West Head; just solid black until you pickup some house lights in the basin and Mackerel Beach. We finally moored up in the Basin at 12:40 am.

This trip included two firsts for us: our first offshore cruise on our own, and the first night sail on our own. Although there was a period coming down when the wind was screaming in the rigging and we were not feeling comfortable, we made it without any drama and we have a sense of pride in those accomplishments. We did miss the social life that sailing with friends brings though. We look forward to more cruising alone but even more so with fellow cruisers. We hope to be seeing you on the next cruise.

Paul Sinclair

Hagar and Windborn in Bantry Bay, Middle Harbour during another cruise

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The Adventures of SherbroOn the 27th of July 2004 we bought a boat. Not such a remarkable event you might think but, for a couple from inland NSW with virtually no connection with sailing, this was a life-changing day. We had, of course, done a learn-to-sail course and had a Hartley 16 that we launched occasionally at Lake Albert in Wagga Wagga, but sailing on a small lake in the Riverina bears almost no resemblance to cruising a yacht in coastal waters. So here we were with a 10.5m Jarkan at Church Point wondering where to park it for the next two and a half years while we finished work commitments in Wagga and Albury. Our broker offered us a temporary mooring at Taylors Point while we considered options. Our decision to join the Avalon Sailing Club and to take up a club mooring has turned out to be an inspired choice.

On our infrequent visits to Avalon we gradually made acquaintances at the club and with owners of other yachts nearby. Having made the seven hour dash along the Hume Highway, we could usually only stay for a few days, just long enough to revise our list of tasks to do on the boat, but, importantly, we learned to relax, gradually becoming more at ease with rowing to and from Sherbro and, sitting on deck at dusk, could hardly believe our luck in finding ourselves in what must be one of the most incredibly beautiful places in the world. The diversity of activity on the water continues to amaze us; kayaks and fishing boats slipping by in the early morning light, ferries passing in the distance, motor yachts and sailing craft of all descriptions. Most impressive of all for us has been observing the youngsters skipping by in their dinghies on Sunday afternoons their agility, balance and confidence incomprehensible.

We must have been the cause of some wry smiles as we donned our lifejackets before heading out in our tippy tender. Yet people we’ve met over these two and a half years have been incredibly supportive, patiently answering our naive questions and encouraging us through our steep learning curve. There are far too many people to acknowledge individually. We have learnt enormously from cruises to Sydney Harbour, Hardy’s Bay and Maitland Bay with members of the ASC cruising division.

I guess in summary what we want to express is our sincere thanks for the generosity of so many people associated with ASC. We look forward to keeping in touch as we venture up and the coast and wherever the wind takes us from there. Our web site is www.getjealous.com/ddawson We’d love to hear from you.

Best wishes Ron and Dolores Dawson ( from the yacht Sherbro)

A Cruising Easter: SouthAs expected, after hearing the dire southerly forecast, this cruise did not actually take place. We stuck Kate Kelly’s bows out “for a sniff” of the conditions on Good Friday and decided not to proceed. Richard the diver had just cleaned up our hull for a long trip and we found ourselves going 8.5 Kts with two reefs in the main! The wind gusts were reaching 34 Kts. The dinghy and outboard were getting airborne, so we hove to and crept back to the Basin, joining Paul and Bev. Marama also rafted with us on the club mooring and we passed a pleasant evening together. Hagar left early the next morning and shortly afterwards the heavens opened, so we stayed put for the day, watching the merry campers splashing round in the puddles. We did manage to get in a good bushwalk between showers and went to the lookout over Mackerel Beach, which is a beautiful spot, especially with the sunshine/thick cloud variation of the scenery. Jim and I joined other members of the Coastal Cruising Club at the barbecue area that evening for a few “sundowners” in the rain.

On Sunday the weather was looking a bit better, so we took Kate Kelly into Hardy’s Bay on the high tide mid-morning. We had another afternoon bushwalk, across the ridge and down a very pretty track through Bouddi National Park to Kilcare Beach and back to Hardy’s Bay RSL for dinner. The restaurant there is now a simple bistro but the food was good. Next morning we had a lazy breakfast at a shore-side café and then walked to Box Head in beautiful sunshine and watched a rescue going on at Tallow Beach. A cabin cruiser had apparently been swept onto the beach in the surf and there were numerous police and Waterways vessels and helicopters on the scene.

All was well on leaving Hardy’s at full tide until we rounded Half-Tide Rocks. Trying to avoid going too close to the rocks and keep to the correct side of the channel, we twice bumped onto the sand, well inside the red can purporting to mark the edge of the channel.

We did not stick fast and then kept well over to the port side of the channel the rest of the way out. The set of red cans off Lobster Beach are also clearly not in the right place, with a large stretch of sandbank inside them, so take care if you go up to Hardy’s on a murky day. We have heard that a member of SYCC caused very expensive damage to his yacht in this channel recently, so TAKE CARE. Jim suggested it could be advisable to hoist a cylinder to indicate that the vessel is restricted by draught so that you can hug the wrong side of the channel quite legally. It also doesn’t help that the local speed boat hoons, including a large Central Coast fishing charter vessel seem to think that it’s fine to charge up the channel at 20+ knots. Perhaps a speed limit and re-siting of the marker cans would be a good idea!

We had a good afternoon’s sail, to make up for a general lack of sailing action over the weekend. We were also sorry not to have more company, but with the “Easter Special” weather, we were not surprised that the waterways seemed very quiet. The next cruise on the calendar clashes with the Commodore’s Ball, so we will probably cancel it and make the next trip Sydney Harbour on June 9th for the long weekend.

Sue Flaye

On 24 March, 14 lucky club members had a great

night tasting some very good, and very reasonably

priced, wines from two boutique Australian wineries

– Ballast Stone (SA) and Xabregas (WA).

Club member Damian Percy and his business partner

Chris Dixon from new company Wine Mates provided

a fun evening of tasting, quizes and education at the

clubhouse.

The wines are mostly priced at $13 and $14 per bottle

yet taste like $20+ wines. Really worth trying – much

better than similar priced wines in the local bottle-o!

We were so impressed with the quality of the wines

that we are going to order some for club family race

prizes and will also feature a couple each month in

the Jibsheet, along with tasting notes and ordering

information.

And we’ll plan for another tasting night closer to

summer for all the members who missed out on the

last opportunity! Just in time to order a few cases for

Christmas entertaining.

But you don’t have to wait till then – order a case now.

Let us know what you think.

Importantly, this is an excellent and easy way to raise

funds for the club. For each case bought, $20 goes

to the club – so get your orders in now, and make

sure you don’t miss out on the next tasting. Delivery

is free.

Toni Fox

Wines of the MonthBallast Stone Steeple Jack Sem. Sav. Blanc 2006 $13.00 /btl.

Pale green straw in

colour with sweet

lime and passion fruit aromas. On the palate this

wine exhibits lemon lime sherbet with a long, lemon

and slightly herbaceous finish. An interesting and

complex wine. Would go beautifully with most Asian

and seafood dishes. Try it with seafood pasta! 12.5%

Alc/vol.

Xabregas Cabernet Merlot 2004 $14.00 /btl.

Rich deep red in colour with spicy mulberry, black olive

and cassis aromas. Sweet vanilla oak accompanies a

palate filled with a compote of ripe berry fruits and red

and black currant flavours. Tannins are fine-grained

and silky. Beautiful with roast leg of lamb and all the

trimmings, grilled lamb dishes, or your favourite hard

cheeses. 14% Alc/vol.

HOW TO ORDER

Contact Damian Percy:

damian@winemates.com.au

Ph: 8004 0265

Wine Mates Australia Pty. Ltd. P.O. Box 1236 Manly, NSW 1655

Wine Tasting Night

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Ceramic ExhibitionAndrew Halford is exhibiting his decorative inlaid ceramics – vases, platters and more.

from 24th May – 20th Junefreeland Gallery

120 Glenmore Road, Paddington.for more information please ring 43 233 101

Important Date for Dads and MumsTen months! Plenty of time for a worlds campaign.

Laser Masters World Championship 2008 Terrigal, New South Wales, AUS

17 - 23 February 2008 Registration: 16 February 2008

Notice of Race published: 1 June 2007 Entry starts: 1 June 2007 End of entry: 31 October 2007

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Pittwater Interschools Teams Racing Regatta

Saturday 17th March saw the final round of the Pittwater Interschools Teams Racing Regatta. This was an inaugural regatta for schools that have their sailing base on Pittwater, with the intention of giving them a chance to fine tune their Team Racing skills prior to Yachting NSW’s State championships being held at the end of the month at Point Wolstoncroft on Lake Macquarie.

Seasoned campaigners Pittwater High School, Mater Maria College and Knox Grammar School were joined by new comers to the sport St Lukes and Abbotsleigh. Full credit must go to these 2 new schools. They survived the initiation by fire and achieved some fine results. It is good to know that they have now started their Teams Racing journey on a solid foundation.

Conditions on Saturday went the full gamete, with racing initially delayed due to an absence of wind. The wind eventually kicked in at around 11.00 and steadily built all afternoon to over 30 knots, before the rain started, obliterating the view of the shore line. These conditions certainly tested the teams, with Pittwater High, Mater Maria and Knox advancing to the semi finals.

While Knox dominated early on in the day in the light conditions, Mater Maria’s turned the tables with their heavy weather experience shining through. The semis were conducted in stiff breeze with Mater Maria’s team gaining 4 wins from as many starts followed by Knox with 2 wins. Unfortunately, the time limit expired and finals were not possible so positions were awarded on count back.

1st Mater Maria2nd Knox Grammar School3rd Pittwater High School4th Abbotsleigh5th St Lukes

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of many volunteer parents from all schools. In particular, special thanks must go to the consummate PRO Ted Anderson who managed to run 32 races in 5 hours. This included time down for running repairs to the Pacers, as well as trying to get races underway in adverse conditions. Thanks must also go to Avalon Sailing Club for providing a back up Pacer – thankfully we only needed to source the odd parts from this boat. Thanks must also go to RPA for the infrastructure provided including the Tommy Spithill and his team of umpires.

Finally, a big thankyou must be extended to Gaye Lee who arranged and co-ordinated the regatta.

It is hoped that all 5 schools will bring success to Pittwater at the State Championships.

John Parker - Knox Grammar School.

Photos courtesy of Afloat Magazine

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www.avalonsailingclub.com.auA

For your Diary...The system works!!

Last week we had a few visitors to the club car park for

the Pittwater regatta.

While packing up the dingy I was approached by

one stressed individual concerned about how he was

going to remove his car from behind several 4WD’s. I

explained our process of collecting keys in the canteen

and sure enough we found what we needed keys tagged

ready to go. Thanks to the owner of the silver Pajero

and everyone who helps manage our Sunday parking.

You may have noticed the worlds greatest regatta is

taking place in Valencia staring our local hero James

Spithill. As usual the Australian press have neglected

to share the drama. Its hard to believe a sailing nation

like Australia has limited or no coverage of the Louis

Vuitton and America’s cup. I have found a great web

site that provides daily highlights of each flight of the

regatta and its free.

Go to

http://www.americascupanywhere.com/internet_tv

Happy Sailing

ED

Running by the Lee

“For the fostering, encouragement, promotion, teaching and above all enjoyment of sailing on the waters of Pittwater”Affiliated with the Yachting Association of NSW. Patron Iain Murray

PO Box 59 Avalon NSW 2107. Clubhouse: Old Wharf Reserve, Hudson Parade. Phone (02) 9918 3637 Editor Mat Butterworth – Mat.Butterworth@optus.com.au

Assistant Editor and Artwork Claudie Moffatt – cmof5582@bigpond.net.au

5th MayWorking Bee

6th MayCentreboard Training, Quartet Bowl Re-race and BBQ

20th MayYacht Division Sprint Race Day

26th MayCommodore’s Ball

27th MayCentreboard Division Presentation, Yacht Division Winter

Race and BBQ

6th JuneYacht Division Meeting @Terrey Hills Tavern commencing

7.30pm

17th June Centreboard Training

24th JuneYacht Division Winter Race and BBQ

15th JulyGolf Day at Royal Avalon GC (to be confirmed)

22nd JulyCentreboard Training

29th JulyYacht Division Winter Race and BBQ

5th AugAnnual General Meeting

12th AugCentreboard Training

18/19 AugCentreboard Icebreaker Regatta @RPAYC (to be confirmed)

25/26 AugWorking Bee