The Festival of Sails Geelong and our Race Officer, Kevin Wilson, put on three great days of racing for the Sydney 38 Australian championships. All three days of racing saw building breezes so there were no problems completing the nine race schedule.

This was the first major regatta with the new mast head kite configuration and every boat had their hands full at some stage in the 20knot plus winds in the last race of each day. A couple of round ups and one Chinese kept all of the skippers looking around and focussing hard. Despite the deeper running angles with the larger chutes there was plenty of gybing and a fair amount of overtaking done hill thanks to the well laid courses.

Friday saw Peter Coleman our class measurer ticking of the sails and boats and some malnourished crew crawled to the 5pm weigh in where all crews were under the weight and legal. Thanks Peter for giving up your day to keep our true one design status intact!

Day one set the tone of the regatta with Sierra Chainsaw pulling a blinder in the first race and then the current champion Phoenix and their arch rival Ikon38 hitting their straps and getting out in front in race 2 and 3. Ikon38 was the North Sails boat of the day by 1 point over Phoenix with only seconds separating all of the places. We all retired to the Edge Restaurant where 110 sailors attended the Association dinner. Ikon38 won the “most at the table” award with 20 adults and 4 kids. Kirwan Robb said “We sail as a family and we eat as a family”. Lots of mouths to feed with one more due any time! Jane Flowers donated an oil painting which was auctioned and sold for the magnificent sum of $2001. Chris Mrakas was the lucky buyer with $1500 of the proceeds going to the Lorne Surf Coast bushfire appeal.

Day two saw Phoenix and Ikon38 slugging it out again. Audacious rolled the dice in the last race of the day and managed a first place but it was Phoenix as boat of the day with Ikon38 second, Audacious 3^rd, Sierra 4^th, Cinquante 5^th and the unlucky Chutzpah38 6^th. The first tow boats were out of reach but the competition for the coveted 3^rd place was hotting up with only a handful of points separating 3^rd and 6^th. Quantum Sails sponsored an exclusive drinks event for the 38s at the yacht club after racing and everyone enjoyed a beer or a wine as we all speculated what the last day would bring.

Day three was yet another cracking sailing day. The breeze was up a bit and Phoenix found another gear. They pulled off three bullets on the last day to clinch back-to-back championships. Congratulations to Brenton, Jen and crew. They were pushed all the way by Ikon38 who had an outstanding regatta to comfortably take second. Audacious had a good final race of the day to sneak back in front of Sierra Chainsaw to hold on to third overall. In Corinthian it was Phoenix 1st, Audacious 2^nd and Sierra Chainsaw 3rd.

White Knight from South Australia commented “We weren’t sure if we would be on the pace, so it was pleasing to see we could mix it with the top boats at times. Our crew work needs to improve so we will work on that. We loved the event and the close racing. The class was very welcoming and friendly and we had a ball. We are glad we made the effort to come across”.

So thanks to our major sponsor Morris Finance and Ian Murray, to Jane Flowers artist, Quantum Sails and North Sails. Thanks go to your committee for all their time and effort to organise both the on and off water activities. And thanks to those boat who participated. There has only been one NSW champion in the past five years – so what will the next championships bring?

SOUTHERN CHAPTER SYDNEY 38 ASSOCIATION

2014 / 2015 SEASON REPORT

Whilst the standard of Sydney 38 racing in Victoria is strong with “Phoenix” (Brenton & Jen Carnell) in particular, having a stellar year winning both the National and State Championship, the new “kids” on the block, “Icon38” (Kirwan Robb) are threatening to take over that mantle. However, the number of active competitors has declined.  Unfortunately, “Playground” (Andrew & Gayle Robinson), a big improver in recent years and “Mille Sabords” (Stephane Howard), a regular competitor, are now both on the market.  “Cinquante”, owned by RGYC Commodore, Ian Murray, who has been a huge and generous supporter of the class, has found it difficult to compete in class events and his absence has been missed. On a sad note, the co owner of “Adrenalin”, Ian Beer, passed away earlier in the year. Whilst not actively racing, Ian will be missed by the Sydney 38 family.

Nevertheless, “Audacious” (Greg Clinnick and Paul Holden), “Chutzpah” (Bruce Taylor), “38 South” ( John Chatham & Kate Mitchell) and “Sierra Chainsaw” (Mel, Andy & Pat Mollison) have continued to enjoy close One Design racing throughout the season. Chris Mrakas, the new owner of “Challenge” did well to compete in the 2015 National and  State Championships, gaining much needed experience.   Chris has now decided to concentrate on offshore events in the lead up to the 2015 Sydney to Hobart.

So it was a case of quality not quantity in 2014/2015. The racing was close, the regattas successful and the focus is now on the 2016 National Championships at Geelong in the New Year.

2014 / 2015 Highlights

1.      2015 Quantum Sails Victorian Championships

The 2015 Quantum Sails Victorian Championship was hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club and won convincingly by the reigning National Champion “Pheonix” from Royal Geelong Yacht Club. The series was reduced to a single day of racing on Saturday, April 18 due to a blow out on Sunday with 25 to 35 knot wind squalls and driving rain. With an impressive scorecard of 2,1,2,3 and a final tally of eight points “ Phoenix” was a clear winner over “Icon38” in their first Sydney 38 regatta with “Audacious” third on a count back from “Playground”. The Corinthian result placed “Audacious” first from “Playground” and “Sierra Chainsaw” which could not sustain her early sensational form.

The Saturday night social at Royal Brighton Yacht Club was well supported where videos and slides of recent regattas were displayed. Thanks to the President’s wife, 100 cupcakes decorated with the Sydney 38 logos not only looked good but tasted good as well!

Many thanks to the Championship sponsors, David Eickmeyer from Quantum Sails and Ronstan for their continued support.

2.   2014 / 2015 AUS Sailmakers Sydney 38 Summer Aggregate

15 of the 17 scheduled races were sailed over the last summer. Whilst most races were held at Sandringham Yacht Club on Sunday mornings, the results from the Lipton Cup sprint series hosted by the Royal Yacht Club Of Victoria were also included. To allow competitors time to compete in other events such as the Sydney to Hobart and other offshore events,  3 drops were allowed. The series was won by “Audacious” from “Playground” with “Pheonix” third overall.  On average, seven Sydney 38’s participated in each race.

The sprints are popular because multiple races are had each day with each race taking no more than 45 minutes to complete.

Thanks to Sam Haines for sponsoring the series. Sam has since joined North Sails who have agreed to be the new sponsor of the 2015 / 2016 summer series.  To date, two days of racing has been completed in the North Sails Summer Sprint Series with  “Icon38”, “Phoenix”, “Chutzpah38” and “Audacious” all winning races.

3.   2015 Winter Series

Five Sydney 38’s participated in the 6 race series hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club. The event was won by “Ikon 38”, from “Phoenix” with “Audacious” third.

4.   2015  Morris Finance Pre Season One Design Regatta

Without doubt this is a favourite regatta on the calendar. The Royal Geelong Yacht Club is a fantastic host and the regatta not only provides an opportunity for Sydney 38 sailors to get away for the weekend but also to get crews organized for the new season. This year the racing was held on the weekend of 26th and 27th September. Racing was close but Sunday’s light and variable winds provided a challenge for some. The regatta was won by “Icon38” from the local Sydney 38, “Phoenix” followed by “Chutzpah38”

Again, our sincere appreciation goes to Ian Murray of Morris Finance for his support and to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club for their hospitality.

5.   The 2015 / 2016  Sydney 38 Southern Chapter Sailing Calendar

The calendar is posted on the class website.

6. Appreciation To Office Bearers

On behalf of the Southern Chapter owners, I would like to express their appreciation to the President, Greg Clinnick, out going Treasurer, Andrew Robinson, Chief Measurer and his team, John Chatham and the rest of the Executive for their commitment to the class. The membership has been well served by this committee.

7.  2016 Nationals

Plans are well under way to host the 2016 National Championships at Royal Geelong Yacht Club where we hope to attract interstate interest and encourage non participating local Sydney 38’s to charter their boats. The Association has insurance and charter contracts in place to encourage participation.  Sponsorship has also been arranged to not only limit costs but to provide affordable social activities for participants.  Geelong offers great sailing conditions and we are looking forward to a great series. Special appreciation must go to Ian Murray and his company Morris Finance for their support of the Championship.

Rowan Simpson,

Southern Chapter.

The NSW S38 OD Championship was hosted by RMYC at Broken Bay on the 7th & 8th of November. It was an extremely successful regatta with seven entries, with four Pittwater boats, two Harbour boats and one charter entry.  Some close racing occurred over six races over the two days with a full range of conditions from light and variable direction sub 5 knots in races 1 & 2 picking up to 10-12 for race 3 all held offshore through to solid 15-20 knots for the three races on day 2 held on the inside of Palm Beach.

The Championship was dominated by Rick Welch’s Bolter, with three guns a 2nd and two 3rds. Bolter also picked up the double being also 1st in Corinthian. Well done to Rick and his crew! Second in the series was Old School Racing (Charter entry) skippered by Mark Griffiths who has previously been a podium finisher in many States and Nationals. Good to see an ex S38 owner chartering and still participating in OD racing. Third overall and 2nd Corinthian was Richard Williams, with his crew on Calibre from CYCA. Third in Corinthian was Conspiracy, Peter Byford and Dave Hudson and their crew. 

This regatta was very promising for the NSW S38 fleet with a resurgence in interest post a number of changes in ownership over the last year. We had another 4 boats keen on participating, however couldn’t quite get their boats ready in time. As a result of the success the owners are keen to arrange a number of mini regattas alternating between Pittwater and the Harbour next year. It also appears we will have one (Bolter) and possibly another coming down to Geelong for the Nationals. Very encouraging for the future of the Association in NSW!

The NSW chapter of the Sydney 38 Assocation have just announced the 2015 NSW State Championships will be run on the 7th and 8th of November from the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay.

See below the NOR and an event flyer. Please support this event with your participation. Charter boats are also available.

Syd38-NSW States 2015-v2

S38 2015 NSW Championship NOR

With AUS Sails Sam Haines accepting a role with North Sails, we were hopeful that we would be able to transfer our sponsorship of the Victorian Summer Sprints series across as well.

Our thanks goes to Aaron Cole and the North Sails team for not only agreeing to take over the sponsorship, but to also increase their level of support. Aaron is often seen on the water providing after sales service to the 38s and Sam tells me he will have more time on the water and less time on the sewing machine now he is part of the North Sails team.

On behalf of the 38’s – thanks North Sails.