Sabot sailors,
Spring must be just around the corner as we have left the lake and the wind has started blowing – at long last!
A very light sea breeze trickled through for the fifth heat of the 2006 VSSA Winter Series last Saturday. This was the last heat to be sailed on the lake before the series shifts to the bay at Mordialloc Sailing Club. Two quads were the order of the day and remarkably the leading boats finished in 30mins. After a great start, Tim Hannah led throughout to win from Jeremy O’Connell who now has Blitz up and going. Cam Parsons and Andrew Gillies raced neck and neck around the course to finish in that order. Will Llewellyn sailed a great race to finish fifth and then came Tom Jenkins, James Sly and Nick Taylor in a photo finish on the line. Full results for the series to date, now less one drop, are on the website – see link below.
A number of sailors decided to have a hit out the next day at Mordialloc and were rewarded with a gusty 15 – 20 knot northerly (with waves!). Once the cobwebs were shaken out with some non-stop planing to the start line some really good close racing took place in challenging conditions. At the first mark only seconds separated all boats. Tom ground out a comfortable lead to win from Cam, Nick, Stephen Collings, Emma-Louise Daly, James and Jeremy who had been third for most of the race until he split a back tank. Thanks Mal for that weekend round-up.
The 2006 VSSA Winter Series now moves to Mordialloc Sailing Club with Heat 6 scheduled for a 1pm start this Sunday 20th August. Mordialloc is offering a discount to Sabots entered in the VSSA winter series and the series entry has been reduced to $15.00. This also entitles sailors to compete in all Mordialloc Winter Series races. Entry, along with payment, can be made prior to the race on the morning of 20th August. The entry form and series details are available on the VSSA website – see link below.
To all coaching group participants - a reminder that the second coaching payment was due on 1/8/06. In order to enable the program to continue as originally planned, these payments are required to be paid on time. The amounts payable are Gold Group $325 Silver Group $240 Bronze Group $160. Please ensure you remit your payment immediately either by Money Order or Cheque payable to Victorian Sabot Sailing Ass'n Inc' and forward the payment by mail to: Ian Gillies, VSSA Coaching Coordinator, 17 Monica St, Essendon VIC 3040.
Sabot Coaching returns to the bay this weekend with coaching at Mordialloc for Gold and Silver Groups on Sunday. Coaching commences at the earlier time of 9.30am as the afternoon race starts at 1pm. Be there at 9am to get ready and rigged as coaching will commence at 9.30am.
We have a new coach starting Sunday – Michael Williams. Michael (Mike) sailed Sabots many years ago – more recently he has been sailing an OK Dinghy and finished 5th in the Worlds this year. You may also recognize him from the Channel 31 TV show “On the Water” as the other Presenter – “Shooter”. He has a wealth of experience, so please make him welcome. We also see the return of the ever popular Tom Chisholm, back from his 420 Worlds campaign in the Canary Islands. Welcome back Tom, we love having you as one of our Sabot coaches. Coaches are - Gold Group: Tom Chisholm and Mike Williams, Silver Group: Glenn Collings, and Coordinator etc – Ian Gillies. Thanks Coach for that update.
Further update on sponsorships for the 43rd Australian Sabot Championships to be held at Sandringham this Christmas – I am pleased to announce the following have now confirmed their commitment to sponsorship of individual races: MFS, Sunsail, Village Roadshow, Arnold Bloch Leibler, Victorian Express, Dinghy Sports, Coolwise, Priority Sales, Royal Brighton Yacht Club – the John Herman Trust, and Jolly Roger/Zhic. We thank all these sponsors for their involvement.
As usual, please visit the VSSA website regularly to remain abreast of the calendar and news generally.
Yours in Sailing,
The Pres’
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