Sabot sailors and families,
Welcome back to the regular Sabot enews after a short break for a well-deserved holiday! Regular service will now be resumed……
Quite a bit to get across today, so here goes:
Nationals Selections – as you know this is to be run as part of the 2006 Sail Sandy Regatta. This is the selection series based on which the Nationals Team of 12 Seniors and 6 Juniors will be selected. Given that this is being hosted at the venue for the upcoming Nationals, its importance goes beyond just the selection process – it is an opportunity to test the environment, sailing area, club procedures etc and hopefully give the Victorian team even more local knowledge. The other Sabot Zones have of course cottoned-on to this and I am aware that a number of interstate boats are intending to make the trip to also test out the venue, do some spying and generally report back to their Zones! Entry Form and NOR are on the website –follow the link below. Entries need to be in by October 18th to avoid late fees.
Pre-Selections sail measuring - All new sails need to be measured prior to the selection series and this is your one and only chance unless you have made prior arrangements with Martyn Sly. Martyn has agreed to measure new sails only this Thursday night 7.00pm - 8.30pm (please do not come after 8.30pm) at 7 Pooley Bridge Road, Mordialloc. Martyn Sly can be contacted on 03 9580 2446 or 0418 507586.
Sabotsail – the usual three day Springsail coaching camp over Cup weekend at Mornington YC has been replaced this year with a Sabot only three day live-in camp at Mordialloc SC over the same weekend. Catering for all levels of Sabot sailor, apart from the serious bit about coaching, this year it will focus on the kids having fun and getting to know each other in advance of the upcoming Nationals at Sandringham i.e. generating some team atmosphere. If you are planning to be at the Nationals or especially Sabot Week this is a must do for you regardless of your ability level. Entry Form, what-to-bring list and full program are on the website – again follow the link below.
Bronze Group coaching program – whilst the Gold and Silver groups have been continuing their coaching uninterupted since winter on Albert Park lake, the Bronze Group have had a bit of a rest and from what I hear are now champing at the bit to get back into it. To recognise this and to increase the involvement of the Bronze Group leading up to the Nationals it was decided at a recent meeting of the VSSA Committee to offer all Bronze Group sailors the opportunity to join the VSSA 4 day Pre-Nationals Training Clinic on 18th to 21st of December at Sandringham YC. This is a significant opportunity to have 4 days training at the 2006 Nationals location a week before the commencement of the event. Any cost for these additional days will be absorbed by the VSSA, and you will not incur any fees additional to your original program fee. You will of course have to be financial to take advantage of this though! Anyone not paid-up to date?
Two-up combinations for Nationals/Sabot Week – all club representatives should now be on the lookout for underage sailors who should be sailing two-up at this year’s Nationals or Sabot Week. In some cases kids may need to be paired up to achieve this outcome. If any sailor, parent or club rep’ has queries about how this might work or the relevant ANSC rule regarding ages of two-ups vs one-ups, either contact the writer or Ian Gillies on 0414-235002. There is still plenty of time to arrange suitable pairings if we know who is likely to be at Sandringham – please tell your club rep’ if you are sailing this Christmas but need someone to sail with.
Next committee meeting – is scheduled for Saturday morning 4 November to coincide with Sabotsail at Mordialloc. There is plenty of work to be done before the Nationals, and we may have to increase the frequency of meetings to get it all done in time.
That’s your lot for now,
Yours in sailing
The Pres’
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