REAR COMMODORES
RACING REPORT
REAR COMMODORE YACHT RACING
It is a great privilege to represent the Club as Rear Commodore Yachting as we begin the Sesquicentennial celebrations. It is important to recognise milestones such as these in the Club, to ensure we maintain our relevance to the community and our members. Embracing these values and visions are the absolute pinnacle for Australian Yachting. Once again the Club has far exceeded the plans and expectations set for the Staff and Management that support our pursuit of Excellence in Sailing. We have had an amazing season in yacht racing, and as one of the best hosts of regattas in the world, we achieved the following activities and participation rates:
CLUB RACING
• All Year Wednesday Afternoons regularly( 46 boats)
• Early Bird( 31) Winter( 34) Inshore( 47) Lion Island( 53)
• Sprint Spinnaker Twilights
• Commodores Cup & Mosquito( 33)
• Two Handed & Ladies Winter Series
• Broken Bay( 32) SOPS( 14) Blue Water( 11)
• Ladies Littleford Wines Spinnaker Twilights( 13)
• Thursday Twilights( 46)
REGATTAS
• The Wattle Cup Couta Boat Regatta( 15)
• Couta Boat Summer Pittwater Regatta( 6)
• Couta Boat Class Summer Regatta( 6)
• Melges East Coast Championship and Spring Pittwater Regatta( 7)
• NSW Sports Boats OD( 15)
• Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship with a record 16 teams
• MC38 Summer Pittwater Regatta( 8)
• Etchells combined Clubs Regatta( 15)
• Pittwater to Coffs Harbour( 42)
• Farr 40 OD Pittwater Spring Regatta( 9)
• MC 38 Spring Regatta( 6)
• Whisper Mug( 8)
• Dicko Cup
• Old Timers’ Regatta( 27)
• Gwen Slade Etchells Regatta 2015( 9)
• Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour( 25)
• MC38 OD Australian Championship( 7)
• Young 88 NSW Championship( 12)
• Autumn OD Regatta( 17)
In helping to make possible the achievements over the last year, we were fortunate to secure Katie Pellew as Assistant Sailing Manager. As always, the contribution of our volunteers is invaluable. As activities increase in the coming season, further volunteer assistance will be greatly appreciated and required. In the coming year, in addition to the MC 38, Farr 40, Sydney 38 and Young 88 regattas, we have one of the biggest One Design fleets. As well, we have the State and National Etchells, Finn Nationals and Optis returning to the Club.
A big thankyou to my Yacht Racing Committee members for their participation in discussions and planning towards formulating the Club’ s yacht racing program. In my final year as Rear Commodore Yacht Racing, I wish to take inspiration from the Sesquicentennial celebrations and ensure we have the capability to action the new five year strategy. Whilst still under development, it is fair to say, similar objectives associated with growing participation, delivering membership value and addressing the age demographic will be high on the agenda.
The Yacht Racing Committee will need to integrate more effectively with the other Rear Commodore Committees and together be strongly motivated towards our Vision. In particular, closer liaison with Centreboard as their membership numbers continue to grow is the future of the Club. We need to develop a pathway for progression into keelboats and full membership. Furthering participation in the Club through integration of the various sailing groups is paramount.
RON PALMER
16 YACHTSMAN