Winter Centreboard Racing at EFYC
For the first of the Winter Series races to be sailed, on Saturday 11 June (the May scheduled race was cancelled due to stormy weather), 10 Sabre dinghies came to the starting line. They included 3 visitors, from Perth Dinghy Club, Safety Bay SC and Trevor Holm all the way from Walpole.
Two races were sailed in light to moderate ENE winds. The first race saw the fleet beat from the Club start line to Blackwall Reach mark, then to Mosman Buoy, back to Blackwall, then returning to Mosman Buoy, after which they returned to the finish. The forecast shift of the wind to the North did not eventuate, so the Blackwall/Mosman leg became a reach, rather than the hoped-for beat. First was Scott Olsen (SBYC), followed by Pete Coop and Bill Gilham (PDSC).
The second race was shortened with the windward leg to Blackwall and back to the Outer Start mark, twice, as the wind steadily dropped. This saw Pete Coop reverse the placings in the first race, with a convincing win, followed by Scott Olsen in second place, while Simon Walker sailed a gritty race against Scott, securing third place.
The final result for the day was Scott Olsen and Pete Coop sharing 1st place (they were 1st and 2nd in the State Championships, while Scott was the National Champion 2 years ago). Simon Walker took 3rd place.
Sabres at EFYC
The Sabre fleet remains strong at EFYC. We have been having average of 5 boats in training races on a weekday and also at weekends, with a record of 8 one weekend, in the winter. This enthusiasm is reflected in the improvement that we see where sailors sail regularly.
There have been some recent changes of boat ownership. At present there are only a few Sabres available for sale. Josh Preston, who was a keen sailor until injuries and commitments to his daughter Isobel, took over, has put his Sabre on sale. Scott Olney has a new Red Tip Sabre for sale at a very competitive price. Contact him to negotiate this.
Two new sailors will be joining us next season, Ed Bannerman is having a boat built by Craig Nyland and another ex-catamaran sailor has bought a wooden boat from PDSC.
We are looking forward to an exciting and competitive next season.
Peter Johnston