LADIES RACING
TEAM WINDCRAFT LADIES TWILIGHTS 2015 / 2016
OUR 21ST YEAR !
The Ladies Twilights has come of age ! Well , not really – it has been a successful racing series at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club since it commenced in the 1995 / 96 season and this year was no exception . 13 boats regularly competed every second Tuesday from October to March . The weather conditions were mostly kind to us with no cancelled or abandoned races . Unfortunately the pre-Christmas race was marred by rain and only a few boats and crews braved it . Overall , it was very tight racing , competitive , but not cut-throat . Many thanks to all the competitors and crews who all participated with such a friendly approach to racing . It was great to see two new-comers to the Ladies fleet this year – Firefly skippered by Jan Gillies and Arawai skippered by Deb Molesworth . You gave us some stiff competition in Division 2 . Well done to both of you , and we look forward to welcoming you and your crews back next season .
We started some new initiatives this season , such as the Ladies Facebook page , and post-race presentations by participants , which were well received . I will be working hard this year to further improve the series , and any suggestions are warmly welcomed .
Congratulations to the winners and place-getters :
DIVISION 1 1st Pretty Woman , skippered by Annie Taylor 2nd Cape Fear , skippered by Sue Walters 3rd Rogue , skippered by Mary Bickley
DIVISION 2 1st Kanaloa II , skippered by Tammy Lindsay 2nd Haupia , skippered by Liz de Soyres 3rd Venue , skippered by Sarah Tallis
Special thanks to our team of Race Officials led by David West . Without you , there would be no series . I personally experienced the professional and prompt assistance of the Officials when I had engine failure at the outset of one of the races – thank you so much for getting me back safely , and especially for manoeuvring Kanaloa II ( a six tonne Duncanson 34 ) into a marina berth under sail ! Thank you to the Sailing Office staff for your assistance throughout the season .
The Ladies Twilights series gives many ladies who have come through the Club ’ s training programme , or just wanting to get into sailing , an opportunity to get hands on in a relaxed environment . Emily McCutcheon , skipper of The Bolter , praised her crew in the following way :
“ We loved our American import Meg who worked as a coach at RPA and joined us each Tuesday for “ big boat ” time . Main trimmer Katie Logie-Smith has improved so much as a newbie to sailing only three seasons ago and has loved her first season on the main . Sarah Spark on spinnaker trim and Nancy in the pit were ably assisted by Alexis Rouch who had just moved from Melbourne to Sydney and joined us for her first season of sailing . Our foredeck crew improved a great deal over the season and indeed Jeanine Drummond took over the helm for me when I was away on holidays . She makes an excellent skipper and foredeck crew - so versatile .”
Many boats , including mine , had ladies quite new to sailing and keen to learn . I can vouch from first-hand experience that the level of enthusiasm and willingness to help out and improve is second to none . The Ladies Twilights ( to be called the Women ’ s Twilights going forward ) is the perfect opportunity for newcomers to sailing to experience the thrill of racing on fast racing yachts or something a little more comfortable on the traditional cruising type yachts . Just let the Club know if you are interested and we will endeavour to find you a suitable crewing position .
So many of the yachts that participate in the series are loaned from other Club members – we really appreciate your generosity in making your yachts available to so many who otherwise would not be able to sail . Thank you so much .
To our fantastic series sponsor , Team Windcraft and Mary Bickley – we thank you for your wonderful support . And thank you to all of the other companies ( and there were many ) for your significant donations to the lucky door prizes . The post-race dinners have quite a buzz about them , and your contributions very much help in creating the great atmosphere .
The candles on our 21st birthday cake at the Celebration dinner following the last race were blown out by more than 20 past Ladies Twilights series ’ skippers . It was fantastic to see you are all still involved in sailing at the Club . I hope we can encourage you back to the helm next season , and that you , along with all the current Ladies Twilights participants , continue to be involved in this great series for many more years to come .
TAMMY LINDSAY- RPAYC LADIES FLEET REP Images : Left Middle : Afternoon summer sun for the start Left below : Action aboard Division 1 – Cape Fear
CLUB YACHTING
YACHTSMAN 33