Sabot sailors,
Lots of reminders this week:
1. Sabotsail – three day live-in coaching camp
Entries needed to be in last Saturday – details can be found by following the link below. If you are intending to attend please confirm asap with Martin Sly on 0418-507586.
2. Nationals/Sabot Week Team Uniform Order Form
Fully completed order forms together with full payment need to be submitted to David Voyer by Monday 6 November. For those who have lost the forms handed out at the Selection Trials, a copy can be found at http://www.vicsabot.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/vicsabot/downloads/2006%20-%207%20Season/2006%20National%20Selections/2006-7%20Team%20Uniform%20order%20form.pdf
3. Thursday “twilight” racing at Black Rock YC
Twilight racing commences at Black Rock YC this Thursday 2 November and continues every Thursday during daylight savings. This is a good opportunity for Sabots who are looking to get another session into their week in the lead up to the Nationals – there is not much time left to make those few vital improvements. Race start is 6.00pm as usual.
4. The Australian Sabot Championships 2006-07
This Christmas one of the biggest sailing events in the country comes to our very own Sandringham YC. This only happens once every 6 years so if you have a child sailing a sabot this season they will more than likely never get this opportunity on their 'home turf' again. If you haven't quite caught up with how your child can be involved in The Sabot Nationals, here is how it works....
The Australian Sabot Championships are a closed event, which means all competitors must be selected in their respective state teams to be eligible to compete. The 10 race program will be complimented by an invitation race and various social activities, including an Opening and Closing Ceremony, as well as daily trophy presentations.
The team of 12 one up sailors to represent Victoria is in the process of being finalised based largely on results from the Sail Sandy Regatta. There are three other divisions that run concurrently with the Championships and each of these divisions are equally challenging providing the 'buzz' of big fleet racing and also the full support of the VSSA coaching team.
The Kevin & Ross Wilson Sabot Week Regatta will be held in conjunction with the Australian Championships. Sabot Week is an event open to all other one-up Sabot sailors, giving those who were not selected for their state teams the opportunity to compete at a national level. It is estimated that up to 70 boats may contest this regatta which is based on the same sailing program and takes place on the same course as the Championships. The Sabot Week Regatta runs in the traditionally lighter winds of the mornings before the Championship fleet hits the water for the afternoons.
In addition to each of these series are the two-up fleets, with Sabot Week two-ups taking part in the mornings, and the Championship two-ups racing in a separate start after the one-ups in the afternoons. Each series comprises 10 races between December 29 and January 4. On December 28, to kick the event off, all series sail together in an invitation race with close to 200 boats on the course.
This is an event not to be missed. From those out to have some fun and get some race experience through to the ambitious few who make it through to represent their state there is a place for every one. There is always a great sense of pride as the children sail in their team colours and the educational value is priceless. For more information, contact Mark Taylor on 0417-832000 or Ian Gillies on 0414 235002.
5. Royal Brighton YC Sunday afternoon series
This series commenced last Sunday in perfect conditions. Top five results from the one counting race were as follows: Nick, Jeremy, Tom, Andy and Alex. Conditions were so good that another non-counting race was held – this time John Linacre got the better of Nick in a classic example of not covering on the last short beat to the finish. For more details about this series follow the link below.
6. Lost watch at Sandringham Selections – hope you can help
“Lost – one Seiko orange and black men’s yachting waterproof watch. Date lost: 22nd October, 2006. Where: men’s change room at Sandringham YC. If found, please contact Jack Felsenthal - Home: 9597 0963 or Mobile: 0427 820524.”
7. New faces – part 2
Great to see James Neeson now with his own boat – he took delivery of Prime Mover this week. James got two creditable 11ths at the Selections (in his first serious runout in the Sabot) and we look forward to him taking an active role in the class in the near future – welcome!
8. Black Rock YC Sunday morning series
This informal series is run principally as a race group for Black Rock junior Sabot sailors transitioning from Sunday mornings to Saturday afternoon club racing. All club owned Sabots are invited to join in as are any visiting Sabots who would like the prospect of doing some short-course racing or need to brush up some skills. Current leaders in the series which has attracted 14 starters from a possible 22 are, before drops, Grace Charles in State of Mind, followed by Matthew Botterill, Callum Patterson, Matthew Taylor and Brodie Coutts.
That’s your lot for now – see you at Sabotsail on Saturday at Mordialloc SC,
Yours in sailing
The Pres’
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