Sabot sailors,
Well, the 2006 Irwin Sails Sabot Victorian State Championships have come and gone, and a new winner is about to be engraved on the trophy joining a veritable who’s who of previous winners (refer Past Champions on the website at http://www.vicsabot.yachting.org.au/default.asp?Page=2783 ). Enthusiasm was high (with a fabulous and record number of entries over all five divisions of 80 kids) even though the weather was not kind to us – both Saturdays were blown off, but we were still able to run eight races (on the short course format) on the two Sundays before the wind finally evaporated altogether – don’t we love this sport?
Congratulations go to Tim Hannah (Portabelle) on winning his first Victorian Sabot Championships this year. He dominated the series, dropped only a third placing, but is not unbeatable – Sam, Shane and Nick all took a heat off him in the process. Things might have been a bit different if we had sailed in some of the higher wind ranges, but that is another story. Second overall went to Nick Taylor (Dark side of the moon) who had to drop an OCS but still had enough “keepers” to post a decent gap to third who was Shane Voyer (I Spy) in his swansong outing in the Sabot before transferring full time to the 29er. These three had a reasonable break over the balance, but there were some very creditable performances lower down the fleet where there were some real battles. Full results can be found on http://www.vicsabot.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/vicsabot/downloads/2005-6%20Season/State%20titles/Sabot%20States%202006%20Div%201%20%203%20Series%20Results.pdf or by following the link below.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the recent championships was the high number of entrants to Divisions 4 and 5 – all 48 of the Novices. Winner of the one-up Novices went to Matthew Botterill (Make Way). Novices are the lifeblood of our class, and high numbers now are indicative of a strong future for the class locally for the next few years. Sure, the lure of the National Championships coming to Sandringham YC this year is an attractor, but the challenge for us and the coaching program this year will be to get all those Novices up to competency for Sabot Week this Christmas. Full results for the one-ups can be found on http://www.vicsabot.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/vicsabot/downloads/2005-6%20Season/State%20titles/Sabot%20States%202006%20Div%205%20Series%20Results.pdf or by following the link below.
Particularly pleasing (given insufficient entries were received to race the two-up championships division) was the 22 kids sailing two-ups in the Novices. I have a strong belief that two-ups are the best way for kids to learn to sail the Sabot, and again there appears to be some great talent coming through these ranks. Winners of the two-up novices were Sam Jackson & James McLennan (Flame) – both sons of champion yachties! Full results for the two-ups can be found on http://www.vicsabot.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/vicsabot/downloads/2005-6%20Season/State%20titles/Sabot%20States%202006%20Div%204%20Series%20results.pdf or by following the link below.
It was also good to see a number of the Novice kids trying out the championship course when the conditions were appropriate – all good signs of increasing confidence.
The full list of winners is as follows:
- State Senior Champion – Tim Hannah (Sorrento)
- State Junior Champion – not awarded this year
- First female skipper – Katie Jenkins (Brighton)
- Junior “One-up” – James Sly (Mordialloc)
- Overall Teams Trophy – Black Rock YC
- Senior Teams Trophy – Mordialloc SC
- Junior Teams Trophy – not awarded this year
- Novice Senior – Matthew Botterill (Black Rock)
- Novice Junior – Sam Jackson & James McLennan (Black Rock)
- Best first year Senior skipper – Jeremy O’Connell (Albert Park)
- Best first year Novice performance – Gus Ekberg (Black Rock)
- Junior Endeavour Trophy – Zac O’Connell & Louie Copolov (Albert Park)
A big thank you to all those club officials and members at Royal Brighton for hosting the titles and to the Brighton Sabot mums and dads who willingly BBQd, catered, course boated, directed traffic, etc, etc. A special thank you to the “dynamic duo” of Nick and Jennifer McGuigan for their enthusiasm and professional approach to the whole event. Thanks also to our sponsor Irwin Sails who have donated a new sail and a great gear bag, both of which will be awarded at the AGM.
The perpetual trophies have now gone away to be engraved, and will also be presented shortly at the AGM – more details to come in future emails.
I now turn to the 2006 VSSA Coaching Program – which was launched by Ian Gillies on behalf of the VSSA at Brighton on Sunday. The 2006 program continues under the tutelage of VSSA Head Coach Mark Jackson, but is expected to grow in popularity this year because of the Nationals here this Christmas.
I particularly refer you to the documents we distributed on Sunday (copies can be found on the website at “Coaching” at http://www.vicsabot.yachting.org.au/default.asp?Page=17840 ) and remind you that we need the expressions of interest returned either via email or hard copy no later than Tuesday 18th April to enable us to resource the program and finalise costings. You will find all the information you need at this time, including the necessary Expression of Interest Form at this web address
To reiterate, the VSSA coaching program is offered on a first-come first-served basis (except Gold Group which is by VSSA Head Coach invitation only). Each group has a maximum of 10 participants based upon Yachting Australia recommended ratio of coach to boats. Once each grouping of 10 boats is filled, the VSSA will endeavour to, but cannot guarantee, to create another grouping of 10 boats subject to additional coach and resource availability.
VSSA Coaching Program Payment Terms and Program Fees are to be advised ASAP subject to the number of interested and confirmed participants however here follows a guide only at this stage.
- Gold Group - 50% of relevant program fee (TBC) is due and payable in cleared funds no later than 29 April 2006 and the second instalment is due in cleared funds no later than 1 August 2006. Anticipated Fee Guide $650 to $700.
- Silver and Bronze Groups - 50% of relevant program fee (TBC) is due and payable in cleared funds no later than 3 June 2006 and the second instalment is due in cleared funds no later than 1 August 2006. Anticipated Fee Guide: Silver $550 to $600, and Bronze $350 to $400.
NOTE: Non-financial program members are unable to commence in a program until payment is cleared.
We welcome and encourage club sailors (i.e. non VSSA coaching program participants) to join programmed club coaching days for a small fee yet to be determined. The fee is dependant on the required coaching resources and support vessels available at the relevant club/s. All coaches used at club days are to be appointed and confirmed by the VSSA Head Coach, and the number of participants will continue to be subject to YA recommended number of coached boats to coach ratios. The participant to coach ratio increases as the sailors’ ability increases.
So, what do you have to do? Simply, if you think you want to join the program, get a copy of the EOI Form from http://www.vicsabot.yachting.org.au/default.asp?Page=17840
and return it to Ian Gillies ASAP.
If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to call Ian on 0414-235002.
That’s your lot
Yours in sailing
The Pres’
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