Sabot sailors,
Only one and a half weeks to go before the 2006 Victorian Sabot Championships, and I get the sense that sailors and parents alike have gone off-the-boil a bit from a racing perspective since that particularly hectic pre-nationals and Nationals period over last Christmas and New Year. As a result, whilst there is:
1. furious activity in the new boat department (Tom Jenkins now has his new Dinghy Sports, Tim Hannah has taken delivery of the second Van Munster in the state, and Oliver Kalpokas has already sailed “Double Black” – a double National Sabot champion boat from NNSW), and
2. plenty of excitement in the soon-to-be-ex-Minnow camp as their sailors (George Davies and Will Llewelyn particularly but possibly more) start getting used to their new Sabots, and
3. continuing good numbers on the club-based junior training front,
a lack of recent VSSA designated events has seen some drop off in obvious activity. This has not been helped by the somewhat strange school holiday arrangements to accommodate the Commonwealth Games and the usual crop of long weekends etc.
So, in an effort to galvanise action in the fleet, and to arouse some needed action prior to the States, it is planned to run a Sabot “get back into racing” Weekend at Black Rock YC this 25 & 26 March along the following lines:
- free VSSA coaching Saturday morning run by class coach Mark Jackson for those intending to sail the States (both one-up and two-up) – be there 9.00am for a 10.00 start,
- free coached club racing Saturday afternoon (we’ll try to do two short races back-to-back if possible), and
- free short-course racing Sunday morning – usually four really quick short races to sharpen skills – be there 9.00 am for a 10.00am start, however sailors who participate on Saturday can leave their boats at the club overnight.
We’ll finish up around Sunday lunchtime to leave at least one afternoon free for other stuff, and for some people to take boats down to Brighton for the following weekend. For this to be most useful and a sharp entrée to the States, it would be good to get as large a turnout as possible. Sailors who need to get back to their own clubs for Sunday activities should still try to do the Saturday regardless.
Final reminder to get your entries in for the 2006 State Championships before the cut-off date (27 March 2006) when late fees become payable – Entry Form and NOR is available by following the link below. Other reminders to get your gear ready – (1) all boats need to be insured, (2) all sailors need to be members of the VSSA (see membership requirements) or other Sabot sailing association, (3) all sailors will need to be a member of an affiliated club through their MYA, and (4) all boats (other than Novices) will need to produce a valid Measurement Certificate as usual.
Brighton have today confirmed that they are prepared to put on a family BBQ on the night of the first Saturday 1 April. Good excuse for practical jokes? It will not be a flash affair, but for $15 per adult / $8 per child they are confident they can fill up families with good quality food. The plan would be to eat at around 5.30 to 6pm. This is also a good excuse for hanging around to meet new parents, and welcome our interstate visitors – we are expecting two or three from NNSW. Further flyer to be sent out to all when received from Brighton.
That’s your lot for now
Yours in sailing
The Pres’
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