| 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.

BSYC
Sabres alongside the Clubhouse at Normanville
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 by Heat
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.
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Australian Weather Information |
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