Club Profile – Maylands Yacht Club

Maylands Yacht Club is located on the Swan River less than 5 km upstream from the Perth city centre. Membership comprises about 100 with 50 active sailors.  Most members sail the single handed Laser (Full, Radial and 4.7) but recently a fleet of Hartley 16' trailer sailors has emerged and is slowly developing. 

The Club has a fleet of Mirrors and Pacers for use in their training programs and they encourage trainees to borrow these dinghies to participate in the afternoon racing.

Summer sailing takes place on Sundays from October through to April.  Sunday morning is reserved for training with racing commencing at 2.00 pm.

A Winter series is held from May to September on the first Sunday of each month, with the first of two short races starting at 1.00 pm.

Maylands Yacht Club is essentially a family oriented club with a strong emphasis on enjoyment and helping those who want to learn to sail.  Conditions are typically flat water and varying breezes, with stronger winds occurring during the summer months. Gusts and frequent wind shifts are a good test of helmsmanship where skill and tactics often win out over straight line speed.

Maylands Yacht Club has the distinction of being at the ‘top of the river’ in Perth.  It has a long history dating back to its infancy in the mid 1940’s when the members’ needs were served by a corrugated iron shed on the river bank.  The current buildings were completed in 1971 with the help of the City of Stirling and are now leased by the Club from the City of Bayswater.

Maylands Yacht Club is the home of the Mudlark, a class of boat for juniors designed and first built by a previous Commodore, Wally Gaunt, father of current Patron, Terry Gaunt.  The club has over the years produced champion sailors at State, National and International levels particularly in the Moth, VJ, Heron and Laser classes.

Maylands Yacht Club is an accredited Yachting Australia Training Centre led by Rear Commodore Training, Ken Patterson.  A training course is conducted each season catering for up to 16 sailors utilizing the club’s Mirror and Pacer dinghies.

General Lee

Offshore Race Officer Requires Faster RIB

The spectacular WA Offshore debut of Paul Eldrid and Scott Disley’s hot new Bakewell-White 37 General Lee in the season opener on Saturday at Fremantle Sailing Club for the 42nm George Law Foundation Race, led Race Officer Trevor Milton to request a much, much faster RIB for future offshore races. 

“We just couldn’t keep up when The General cracked their kite”, lamented Trevor after the race.

The race, to commemorate the life of club stalwart George Law, took Archambault Offshore Series competitors around Rottnest Island and back home through the Challenger Passage between Garden and Carnac Islands.  The Sailing Products Coastal Cup and Double-Handed fleets did a shorter course inside the islands.  An impressive total of forty six entrants enjoyed an ideal 15-20 knot easterly which flicked south-east at about midday.

In Offshore Division One, the big-boat battle between Optimus Prime, Charlotte, Sue Sea,Knee Deep and Tony Mitchell’s re-vamped and powered-up Sled was over-shadowed by the exciting off-wind display from the smaller and lighter RFBYC trio of General Lee, The Next Factor and Al Fresco.  The threesome hung in for the upwind legs to take the IRC places in that order, with line honours winner Optimus Prime and Sled recording a rare IRC dead-heat for fourth.

General Lee scored the double, taking first under the performance-based YAH handicap system, with Al Fresco and Sled taking the minor placings.  Eldrid and Disley were over the moon with their yacht’s debut, especially after the massive effort of building the yacht in Auckland, racing her to Fiji and then bringing her to Perth by ship. Sled‘s skipper Tony Mitchell also had a big grin after his modified all-carbon racer showed big up-wind performance gains from her new keel.

Other newcomers to the Offshore Division One fleet met with mixed success; with Jon Hanson’s Wasabi (Elan 410) and Robert Halvorsen’s Giddy Up (Farr 395) both delighted with their mid-fleet result on debut, whilst Lyn Powell in Fourth Dimension (Dufour 40) was a little off the pace.  Bryan Thurston, racing This Way Up (Sydney 36CR) for the first time, was like a dog with two tails after taming the unfamiliar assymetrical spinnakers to finish not far behind the leaders.

Offshore Division Two featured an epic six-and-a-half hour battle for line honours between  former  dual Siska Trophy winner Luke Rees sailing Stormrider and Greg Reynolds Mandurah-based flyer Without Fear.  Despite blowing out his biggest spinnaker, Reynolds grabbed the honours by a mere 23 seconds, but it was Kevin Brownie’s competitive Total Recall (S97), finishing only four minutes behind the lead pair, that earned a large and well-deserved victory under IRC.  Simon Torvldson’s Blondie, an S&S34 constructed of carbon fibre but qualifying for a 1950’s design age allowance, again proved difficult to beat under IRC, taking second place, by 1 ½ minutes from Without Fear.  Under YAH, it was Total Recall first, Without Fear second and Stormrider equal third with Ian Jamieson’s  Intension making it a trifecta for the WA designed and built Swarbrick trio.

The newly-created Coastal Cup, for non-IRC yachts meeting safety category 4, attracted five entries, including Baby Star, sailed by George Law’s widow, Isabel Aujoulet-Law.  Dominic Papaluca’s Kiwi Express took first place, Paul Arns’ new yacht No Rehearsal second and Baby Star a popular third.  Rounding out the fleet were Anastasia and Double Vision.  Organisers are expecting growth in this tier off offshore racing, which suits cruiser-racer style yachts of all sizes and is akin to the “cruising” divisions at major regattas.

The three entries in the Double-Handed division, competing for the Perie Banou Trophy, were WA sailing legend John Holder, sailing Plus 16 (Farr 38), Busselton yacht Mean Feat and Les Middleditch’s Beneteau 36.7 Raya.  The wily Holder took the honours from Middleditch under IRC, but the order was reversed under YAH, with Stephen Key’s Mean Feat third.  Although the starting numbers for this fleet are modest, overseas evidence suggests that double-handed sailing will be a strong growth area for ocean and coastal racing, as confirmed by FSC’s well-supported Terry Fisher Series.

Offshore Racing now takes a short recess to allow sailors to participate in their (and other) club’s opening day festivities during October.  This courtesy has been honoured by many clubs programming their fixtures to allow members to compete in both meaningful offshore and club seasons.  The next races on the calendar are the 42^nd Geraldton Classic for the Blue Water Fleet on Friday 22^nd October, and the Cape Vlamingh Race for the Offshore, Coastal and Double-Handed Fleets on Saturday 23^rd October.

14^th Mirror World Championships – Albany WA

International sailing is not always about high performance, expensive new sails and brand new boats, it is as much about participation, connection and the fraternity of sailing.  This is certainly a key feature of the International Mirror Class which has commenced the countdown for its 14^th World Championships to be held in Albany, Western Australia from 26 December 2010 to 7 January 2011. 

As part of the international fleet that will descend on Albany efforts are underway to ensure the team from the Izivunguvungu Sailing School in South Africa can attend.  Izivunguvungu in Simons Town south of Cape Town, is the first school in South Africa to provide opportunities for disadvantaged children from the shanty towns.  Izivunguvungu was established in 2001 by Ian Ainslie, three times Olympian, multiple world sailing champion and qualified school teacher together with Matthew Mentz, a highly qualified Ocean Skipper and instructor.  In 2009, due to the Global Financial Crisis the major sponsor Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) ceased its funding support. 

2011 Worlds Director, Anthony Galante said “I attended the 2009 Worlds and it was fantastic to see the support for Howard and Renaldo to participate.  They turned up in anticipation for a Wales summer and thats what they got – 12°C on the first day and 2 metre swell.  All they had were ripped spray jackets and shorts so their fellow South Africans chipped in to get them into appropriate gear.  There were donations from competitors to assist with their costs and the Australian team provided access to our coach boat.” 

This time around the South Africans have not been able to raise the funds to meet the costs of getting the top ranked Izivunguvungu Team of Howard and Renaldo to Albany.  Sitting 4^th on the South African rankings they may not be able to attend unless funds are found. 

Izivunguvungu has managed to take a number of its graduates to the pinacle of sailing with Solomon Diperre and Marchello Burricks representing Team Shosholoza in the America's Cup.  Izivunguvungu sailors have represented South Africa in the last three Mirror World Championships with Sieraj Jacobs and Ashwin Daniels placing third overall in 2007 and would dearly love to be represented at the Princess Royal Sailing Club in Albany for the 14^th Mirror Worlds.

Anthony Galante is inviting contact with any Australians and ex-patriot South Africans who are able to assist with sponsorship to support this great initiative and help get Howard and Renaldo to the start line in Albany.  Please email info@mirrorworlds2011.com

2010 Champions Steve Wall & Amanda Watson Amazon 

Power Champion Dedicates his Trophy to late Father

A beautiful Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks back, greeted the 48 power boats for their final Yachting WA Cruising and Power Yacht Committee State Heat for 2010. This season placings were very close and this frenzied final event determined the State Champions. 

The winners of the final heat were:

1st Tiro .  Terry Malloch & David Scholes (RFBYC) 6 points

2nd Amazon      Steve Wall & Amanda Watson (SoPYC) 7 Points

=3rd Purrfect     John & Lynne Cooper (SoPYC) 7 points

Team Result – 1st Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club - For the first time this year, South Perth were beaten in the Teams Event

The announcement all were waiting for came last Friday, 17th September 2010 when the power boat contingent from the participating clubs, – Swan Yacht Club, Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Claremont Yacht Club and South of Perth Yacht Club gathered at Swan Yacht Club for the final presentations of the season. 

The guests eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2010 Cruising and Power Yacht Champion enjoyed a delicious three course meal and partied to the accompaniment of the two piece band, Dizzy Miss Lizzy.

Overall State Champion

Amazon

Steve Wall & Amanda Watson

Steve dedicated his win to his late father Jim, who was also an avid Time Trialler and won the State Champion title in 1986.

Bob Stamford Trophy

for the least points over 5 events

Strategy  - Bryan Carter, Vicky Burt & Dee Kelly.

Best First Year Time Trialler

Quality Time -  Mal & Margaret King

Consistency Champion

Thanet - Guy Skinner & Richard Evans

Champion Club - South of Perth Yacht Club

Brad Pearce with Avon & Beryl Sherwell

Breaking News -  Zero Points Lost on Saturday 18th September 2010

The Sherwell Zero Points Lost Trophy was awarded to long time competitor,  Brad Pearce -  Thelissos. A perfect score is rarely achieved in the sport of Time Trialling and it happened at SoPYC on Saturday!!

This was only the 6th time the trophy has ever been awarded, which explains how difficult it is to achieve.

Bill Gillham & Peter Wheatland - Sabre Winners

Sabre News

Since the season ended activity has not stopped within the Sabre fleet. A number of new boats are being constructed to be ready for this season.

Ted Duckett and Jeff Watson are continuing with the construction of their boats. Rob Depiazzi has another boat under construction for himself and is also supervising a new Sabre member, Ian James, with the construction of his boat. Rob is doing a great job in helping to get new boats out onto the water.  Louis Suriano is also building a Sabre to sail this season at PDSC when work commitments allow. Louis is creating great promotion for the Sabres as the boat is being constructed within his work premises in O’Connor.

The Association has worked really hard promoting the Sabres and dinghy sailing with highly visible weekly sausage sizzles held at prime shopping centres in the Canningvale area where the members are all identified proudly wearing the Sabre uniforms.  A garage sale was also held to raise funds for the Association.

Welcome to new members Grant Thomas who has purchased Rob’s Mums The Word II who we understand will race under the name of Kiwi Express, Jeff Watson, Louis Suriano and Ian James.  I am sure we will make them feel welcome.

The Perth Dinghy Sailing Club Senior Presentation Night was held on 22 May 2010 and was

Club Champion -  Bill Gillham

2^nd Ray Martin

3^rd Peter Wheatland

Consistency Peter Wheatland

Special mention should be made of two Club stalwarts awarded PDSC Life Membership: Peter Harffey of the Signets and Jan Kane of the Herons.  Peter has been a member of PDSC for 40+ years and has conducted official duties for many years as well as sailing his signet for the last 30 years.  Jan Kane has been synonymous organising the bar and catered meals for a number of years and with her husband, Ian has been enormously supportive of the Club.

For further information on the Sabres visit  www.sabre.org.au or contact President Brian Jones 0438 516 324.

Mirsky Racing Team second in tightest final

Perth’s Match Racing hero Torvar Mirsky and his Mirsky Racing Team fought valiantly to claim second in one of their tightest battles in some time at the Danish Open Match Racing.

Going into the day, MRT were down 2-0 to the unstoppable tour champion Mathieu Richard, but with their backs against the wall, the young Aussies managed to claw back in the gripping series to win 3-2 and qualify for the final.

New Zealand’s Adam Minoprio and his BlackMatch Racing team claimed victory over the Italians in the other semi final to set the stage for the contest between the Aussies and the Kiwis being the two youngest teams on the tour.

The two teams gave it all they had going to the full five matches, taking turns to savour momentary victory, the last of which went to BlackMatch Racing.

MRT was leading the majority of the final race but close to the top mark, a left shift came down the course and gave Minoprio just enough of an advantage to cross MRT. From there, they defended their lead and went on to take the trophy from MRT.

Natalie & Jasmine Hill -  China 2010

Australia Dominates at Hobie World Championships

Elite Western Australian teams headed to the 2010 Hobie 16 World Championships in Weihai, Shangdon, China from 15 to 30 August 2010.

More than 400 sailors from nearly 30 countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the Fiji Islands, Spain, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia, took part competing for youth, women's, masters, grand masters and open world titles.

Australia dominated the results winning the Grand Masters (Anthony Dutchatell and Evelyn Curtis) and the Masters (Rod and Kerry Waterhouse)

In a convincing display of consistent sailing, Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin from New South Wales won the Hobie 16 Youth World Championships.  Nedlands youngsters Alex Landwher and Phil Davis held their own to finish a creditable 6th in the Youths.

In a much closer affair  sister act, Natalie and Jasmine Hill of Nedlands Yacht Club held off Charlotte Picou and Julie Avron from France to claim the Womens World Championship from a strong field including teams from France, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Philippines and USA. The girls battled under extreme pressure, knowing they could ill afford a slip up.  Determination, discipline and fitness saw them triumph over their competitors who have enjoyed lavish attendance by full time coaches.

Of the 56 Open World Championship competitors 21 were from Australia and 16 of those sailors were from Nedlands Yacht Club.  The Australians arrived en masse with an enviable additional support entourage.  Nedlands Yacht Club claims a number of national and world champions amongst their membership and has long been the home base for multihull sailing in WA.

The Open event was seriously affected by a lack of wind. Two complete days were lost and on a third only one race was sailed.

In a strong Australian top ten finish, past world champion Gavin Colby with Sasha Marks (Nedlands) came second behind the French,

Current Australian national champion and past world champion Gavin Colby with crew Sasha Marks, both of Nedlands Yacht Club took Silver in the finals of the open division to Jerome Le Gal and Enrick Obert of France.  

Bronze was won by another West Australian duo Darren Smith now teaming with Jasmine Hill

The Chinese hosts could not have been more helpful or hospitable.  No expense or courtesy was spared.  Free translators were provided and even a team of enthusiastic young men became available just to carry sailors' boats in and out of the water.  A yacht club building was constructed in the last six weeks prior to the event when the organisers saw it was needed.  

Europeans at China World Championship