33rd National Championships

The SA Committee and the Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club have discussed the programme for the 33rd National Championships and to assist interstate members to book accommodation the following relevant dates are Monday 27th December 2010     Registration and Measuring

to

Monday 3rd January 2011 Last heat and Presentation Night.

The Brighton Caravan Park is located 100 meters to the right of the clubhouse below.  Contact details are Rick and Libby Birchmore (Resident Managers) (08)83770833 or www.brightoncaravanpark.com.au

Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, venue for the 33rd National Championships

2009/10 State Championships

Congratulations to John Gratton on defending the State Champion Title and to all trophy winners.

The results of the State Championships are now available on the State Championships sub page.

Photos taken by Sabre member Jim Fawcett.

John Cobb and Colin White heat 1

Greg Warner (bottom left) leads fleet Heat 1

2009/10 Program

The 2009/10 program has been completed and is slightly different to last year with the first two State Heats being held back to back at the Port River Sailing Club.  Entrants for the State Championships should note that the first heat starts at appox 1300 hours.  Due to the popularity of the days at Victor Harbor and Normanville they have again been included in the program.  It is hoped that members support the Association by participating in the events organised.

The program can be downloaded from the "Calendar" sub page.

August 2009 Newsletter

The Newsletter for August 2009 is now available for viewing or printing from the Newsletter Sub Page.

Members are reminded that the membership fees are now due and payable.  A form is included in the newsletter.

2009 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General meeting of the South Australian Sabre Sailing Association Inc will be held at the Brighton and Seacliff  Yacht Club on Sunday 24th May 2009.  The day will commence with a roast lunch for members and partners (supplied free of charge by the Association) at 12.30pm followed by the Annual General meeting at approximately 2pm.  Following the meeting the prizes for the 2008/09 State Championships will be presented.  Come along and support the Committee and winners.

To assist with catering please advise the Secretary on 83813358 or 0419120845 or e-mail to bill.tucker@bigpond.com with the number of persons attending.

February 2009 Newsletter

The latest newsletter is now available for viewing or printing from the newsletter sub page.

Victor Harbor Fleet race

A contingent of nine Sabre skippers traveled to Victor Harbor on the last weekend in January for the two Fleet Races organized by the SA Association and hosted by the Victor Harbor Yacht Club on Saturday 31 January. It was an excellent day for sailing, with a 10-12 knot SW sea breeze and the temperature a welcome 27 deg. relief from the hot weather in Adelaide. With seven local Sabres competing we had a good fleet of 16 boats.

Once the shore break was mastered with help from the local sailors the boats made their way to the starting area. Dean Francis felt that he had left something behind but could not work out what it was until he realized he had left his life jacket in the boot of his car so it was back to the shore and the dreaded shore break to be mastered alone.

Two back to back races were sailed over a somewhat different windward/leeward course which included two yellow windward marks and three red leeward marks...interesting but it worked out OK and made for some good racing.

Race 1: The fleet got away OK and Dean Francis worked the shifts well to lead at the first mark, with John Gratton and Francis Watson rounding next and close on his transom. At the first of the leeward marks Dean had a brain fade and shaped up to round the mark to starboard instead of port, nearly getting wiped out by a number of speedy local catamarans who were rounding the mark the correct way. He eventually got himself sorted out but ended up fifth over the line behind John Gratton, Francis Watson, Rob Wright and Bill Tucker. Ron Rickards enjoyed the conditions to get a well sailed sixth and Victor Harbor local Don Taylor came in at seventh to be the first of the locals.

Race 2: With the breeze now favouring the left side of the course the Committee Boat end of the start line was the place to be. Francis Watson was quick off the line and played the shifts well to lead the pack around the first mark. Rob Wright made a telling move on the next upwind leg and by working the shore side of the course (he must have sailed at Victor before!) was able to hit the front by the next weather mark with a handy break. The lead changed again on the penultimate downwind leg and John Gratton was able to get the gun with Rob Wright second, Francis Watson third, Dean Francis fourth and Bill Tucker getting fifth place. First local was again Don Taylor in ninth, with fellow Victor club member (and Sabre Class legend) Ian Rowan in his trusty 25 year old boat Seahorse coming in tenth.

All in all it was a most enjoyable afternoon of sailing and the visiting Sabres certainly appreciated the chance to get away from the heat wave conditions in Adelaide as well as the opportunity to sail on the scenic waters of Encounter Bay. Many thanks to the local Sabre guys and the VHYC who made everyone feel very welcome and also put on some excellent racing. A number of the visiting skippers and their partners stayed on after the racing for a beer or two and to enjoy the generous hospitality extended by the host club. Hopefully the Fleet Race event at Victor can become a regular fixture on the Sabre calendar.

A Day at Normanville Sailing Club

Following the sailing day at Victor Harbor on Saturday 31 st January 2009, Stephen Rogers from the Normanville Sailing Club, who also sails at Victor Harbor, invited anyone who wished to sail on the Sunday on the way home to Adelaide to sail at Normanville. Ron Rickards, John Cobb and Bill Tucker accepted the invitation despite 25 to 30 knot SE winds being forecast. So we asked where we would find the sailing club? The reply, “the blue beach shelter at the end of the boat ramp”. Ok. We should be able to find that.

The three of us arrived at about 12.30pm and sure enough there was the “club house” duly erected on the beach so we drove down onto the beach and parked next to the “Clubhouse” and were made welcome by those present. After rigging the boats we visited the Normanville Bakery for lunch while the wives went off doing what ever wives do when we are sailing.

Around 1.30pm the wind had set in from the SE at about 10 to 15 knots and Stephen called a briefing. The course for the day would be two laps of a square, “the same as we tried last week” and the course was drawn in the sand with a stick. The windward mark was set about 80 metres from the beach in front of the “Club” with a finishing buoy, about 50 metres off the beach.  The second race would start as soon as the boats had reassembled at the start area.  Bill Tucker suggested that due to the forecast of  wind 25 to 30 knots we may only sail one race but was told “No, we always sail two races here on Sunday” so that was the end of that argument. What about start times? “When I'm ready” was the reply. Where do we get changed? “Between your car doors” was the reply. I told you it was relaxed !!!!

By the time the races started the wind had picked up to 15 to 18 knots and held that speed all afternoon. It was a typical SE wind with stronger gusts coming through every now and again to keep you on your toes and flat water which made for exciting reaches and runs. One of the local boats was reasonably competitive and the other was a new skipper still learning the ropes.  After the races a shower under the beach showers in the car park washed off the salt before changing between the car doors again for the trip home.

All in all it was a very relaxed and enjoyable days sailing and it was a chance to promote the class at Normanville and give some tips to the local skippers on setting up their boats. It shows you don't need to have a big flash club house and associated infrastructure to enjoy a day on the water. If you are ever looking for something different to do on a Sunday go down to Normanville with your boat and have a sail. Just look for the blue beach shelter and friendly locals at the end of the boat ramp.

2008-09 State Championships Results

The results for the 2008-2009 State Championships are now available on the State Championships sub page.  Congratulations to John Gratton on winning the State Championship and also to Laura Averay (2nd) and Dean Francis (3rd).  The Handicap Division was won by Graham Small from Rob Gale and Colin Wilson.

Photos from heat five below

John Gratton leading Francis Watson (1737) and Laura Averay (1773)

Peter McLeod surfing down wave

Bill Tucker heading for windward mark

Newsletter

The September 2008 newsletter has been added to the Newsletter sub-page and can be viewed or downloaded from that page.

2008/09 program

The Sabre Committee has now finished negotiations with the various clubs and the program for the coming season has been finalised.  The State Championships have taken on a slightly different format to previous years and all members are urged to participate.  Following a request from the Sabre group at Victor Harbor last year a fleet race (social day) has been programmed for Victor Harbor Yacht Club early next year and it is also hoped that members support this event and the Sabre sailors at Victor Harbor.  The format of the day has not been decided but could involve two or more short races.

The program can be downloaded from the "Calendar" sub page.

Membership 2008/09

Members are reminded that membership is now due for renewal for the 2008/09 season.  A renewal of membership for can be downloaded here Application for Membership

New Committee for 2008/09

The Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 25th May 2008 and was attended by 40 people made up of 24 members, partners and friends.  The new committee along with contact details is available on the Contact info page. 

A motion was passed at the meeting to award Life Membership to John Gratton for his work within the Association over the past 25 years.  During this time John has held numerous postions including Handicapper, Secretary, Yachting SA delegate and the Sabre representative on the Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club Sailing Committee.  He was also involved with organising the National Championships held at Largs Bay Sailing Club in 1987/88.  He has also been actively involved in coaching clinics for the Association and mentoring roles at BSYC and attended 14 National Championships culminating in becoming the National Champion in 2007/08.  John joins Les Brown and Roger Deacon as Life Members of the South Australian Association.

Following the meeting the President Greg Warner presented the trophies of  the State Championships. 

John Gratton  1st                                          Sean Hackett 2nd                               Francis Watson 3rd

Chris Juttner 1st Handicap Div                   Kylie Baker 1st Ladies Div               Leslie Roberts 2nd Ladies Div

Dean Francis 1st Veteran Division                       Winning Team Kylie Baker, Laura Averay and Leslie Roberts

                                                                                      Absent Bec Gratton and Sally Downes

Winter Series

The Victor Harbor Sabre fleet has grown recently with several boats purchased at the end of the season.  If you would like to join some of them in winter sailing then venture down to the Goolwa Regatta YC who will be holding their winter series on the last Sunday of each month.  It is understood that some of the Victor Harbor skippers will be sailing in this series.

Below is the Victor Harbor fleet ready to race at Victor Harbor.

State Championships 2007-08 Results

The last three heats of the 07-08 State Championships were held at Largs Bay Sailing Club on 9th and 10th February and once again close sailing was encountered on both days.  Sean Hackett pushed John Gratton all the way with the final results again being decided on the last heat.  In the Team Event the Pink Team (Ladies) showed the males a clean set of heels to win easily.  Congratulations Ladies.

Congratulations also to the winners John Gratton (Open), Kylie Baker (Ladies) and Chris Juttner (Handicap).

For full results see the State Championship sub page.

Sponsors and Results of the 30th National Championships

The South Australian Sabre Sailing Association would like to thank the following sponsors for their support.

For results of the 30th National Championships click on Sabre National Championships

For photos of regatta see  Photo Gallery

Information on the "I have had a S#*t of a day" award follows the list of sponsors further down the page.

Invitation Race Sponsored by

                   Alcohol Go Easy         Slip Slop Slap-SAIL

                                                                    Alcohol  + Water don't mix     Be Sun Smart Save your Skin

Heat 1 sponsored by                  Heat 2 sponsored by

Heat 3 sponsored by     

                                       Ken O'Brien Sails     and   Aqua Sport & Waterline Marine Products

Heat 4 sponsored by          Heat 5 sponsored by  YachtCraft

                                                                                                                                        Licenced Sabre Builder

Heat 6 sponsored byHeat 7 sponsored by

After Race Party sponsored by  

The "I have had a S#*t of a day" award has been presented to the following lucky participants for their outstanding feats.

Invitation Race :- Kylie Baker for managing to capsize in under 5 knots of breeze.

Heat 1:- Andrew Little who mistook the shortened course signal and official boat as the finishing line and thought he had finished.  After realizing his mistake he then had three attempts to cross the finish line against the tide.  In all dropping fom 3rd to 7th place.

Heat 2:- This was closely contested by Chris Juttner who fell out of his boat, Daniel Keil who was on the wrong side of the Parthfinder at the start and tried to dip start. (not in the rules!!) and Graham Small for infringing the Club Commodore in a Port /Starboard incident at the weather mark not once but twice.  After much deliberation Andrew Little chose Graham Small as the recipient of this most sought after title. 

Heat 3 & 4:-  Heats 3 and 4 held back to back in strong winds provided a number of possible recipients with abandoned and anchored boats, broken side stays, capsizes & broken booms.  The eventual winner of the day was Rob Gale who managed to survive the testing conditions until he hit the finish boat then capsize whilst doing the 360 penalty.  The wind then flipped "Pickle" another 360 degrees all within a couple of boat lenghts from the finish line and the Committeee boat.  His wife Suzanne who was on the Committee boat had a perfect view of his outstanding skills.

Heat 5:- Conditions for heat 5 returned to light after 25 knot winds for heats 3 & 4 so there were few contenders for this award.  Rob Gale the winner for the previous day presented the award to Richard Jackson.  Richard had glued two cracks of his hull from the previous day and the glue did not harded so he had to "gaffer" tape the cracks.  Mid way through Heat 5 the pin on his side stay slipped out causing his mast to fall over.  Luckily the pin stayed in the fitting and he some how managed to stand his mast upright again and reinsert the pin and recommenced sailing.  By this time he was well and truly last but managed to catch up to the fleet and pass some boats.

Heat 6:- In moderate winds there were not a lot of reported contenders for this award after heat 6 however it was awarded to Geoff Smith who had a rather eventful day by having to do a 720 at the start and in the process of doing his penalty fell out the boat.  During the race he managed to hit a mark and guess what happened whilst doing his penalty 360.  You guessed it!! he fell out of the boat again.

Heat 7:- With the race held in 3-5 knot winds there was not a lot happening for this award.  Geoff Smith awarded the trophy to Ashley Parkinson as it was his birthday and having to sail in those conditions on his birthday was not the best birthday present.  To rub salt into the wound Ashley failed to finish within the time limit which realy made it a birthday to remember and one S***T of a day!!!.

Australasian Masters Games

A successful Masters Games regatta was held at the Adelaide Sailing Club although the last two races were cancelled because of strong winds. 

Open winners were Presented with their medals at the Presentation dinner held at the Club.

                                Silver                       Gold                       Bronze

                          David Wood         John Gratton           Dean Francis

Over 65 age group medal winners

                                                 Gold                              Silver

                                             David Wood              Trevor Baker

September Newsletter

The September news letter is available on the Newsletter sub-page

30th National Championships

The Notice of Race  and the Entry Form for the 30th National Championships have been placed on the SA Calendar page.