SOPS & BWPS
A GREAT OFFSHORE SEASON
CLUB YACHTING
Another season has passed us by but what a great season it was for the Offshore Blue Water Point Score( BWPS) and Short Offshore Point Score( SOPS) fleets. No abandoned races, only a few postponed starts and in most cases, the majority of the fleet got home in time. Special thanks must go to the on water volunteers who provide us with the opportunity to race. Thank you! And rather than have more pictures of boats – here are some our finest volunteers( on the right.) Apologies to those who also supported our racing but are not in this photo.
Rather than list the place getters across the different fleets and handicaps, in the interests of participation and just having fun – the place getting boats at the top of the ladder in alphabetical order were Conspiracy, High Anxiety, OCL, Pretty Woman, Real Thing, Sticky, Windy Too and XS Moment. Well done to all participants.
With about a dozen boats racing in the SOPS series throughout the season but a lessor number in the BWPS, we have a strong fleet – the backbone of the Club’ s excellence in offshore sailing. Interesting to note by comparison that the CYCA Ocean Point Score( as opposed to their BWPS) only had about a dozen consistent competitors across the 2015- 16 season.
The coming season will see a similar format to last year with six BWPS races, one drop and 10 races, two drops for SOPS. We are looking to try a variation to a couple of races to entice some of the Broken Bay, Fleet 1 out to join us. Further, the Cabbage Tree / Boondlebah Island race is likely to change and involve a trip down to Port Hacking. Finally, the Terrigal mark is going to be moved a little south to shorten this course. Sea breezes just don’ t seem to be what they used to be. Stay tuned for further details.
In signing off for the 2015- 16 season, thanks must also go to Bob Bennett for his role as Offshore fleet co-captain. Welcome to Marcus Grimes, who will support Chris Grant going forward.
CHRIS GRANT
20 YACHTSMAN