30 March 2010

Friday twilight fleets continues to expand

By Peter Campbell

The Squadron’s Friday Twilight Series, sponsored by Mariner Boating Holidays, has again proven to be one of the most popular sailing events for members, their families and friends over the past summer.

Rear Commodore Richard Chapman revealed at the Twilights prizegiving that there had been 104 block entries, 20 more than the previous season, plus several casual entries each week.

“Twilight racing on Sydney Harbour has seen a phenomenal growth over recent summers, with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s Friday Twilight Series certainly one of the most popular; a time for relaxing afloat, and the end of the working week,” the Rear Commodore said.

“Spread over three divisions, we averaged 60 boats each Friday, 73 boats competing in race eight last November and 72 in the lady helmsman race,” he reported.

Rear Commodore Chapman extended the Squadron’s and competitors’  appreciation of the dedicated team of race officials lead by Wayne Hinchcliffe and to the generous sponsorship of Trevor Joyce of Mariner Boating Holidays.

In addition to enabling prizes to the winners of each division each week, Mariner Boating Holidays had provided a sailing experience for two people at the Tahiti Pearl Regatta in May 2011. A total of 41 boats qualified for the prize by competing in 16 or more races, with the winning boat being Ostara, owned by Glenn Richard, Geraldine Kennedy, Brian Donohue and Stuart Smith.

The Rear Commodore also announced that Mariner Boating Holidays had already confirmed its support for the Squadron Friday Twilight Series of 22 races next season, starting on 8 October.

Among the many prizes presented on the evening were the ‘rain, hail or shine’ prizes that went to seven boats that competed in all Twilight races: Willyama (Trish Stanley),  Mary Franklin (John Vandervord), Avanti (Peter Clarke), Kerstin II (John Bowman, Ken Chase and John Goldie), Moomba (Peter Zehnder), Azzura (Michael Baston) and Crackerjack (Dennis Galvin and Chris Harper).

Rear Commodore Chapman also urged Twilight Series boats and crews to compete in the Squadron’s Winter Series, starting on Saturday, 1 May.  “Sailing in winter is a wonderful time to be on the harbour…the summer crowds have gone, giving you an opportunity to practice you skills in a friendly environment…then come back to the Anchorage after racing for a happy time with your fellow competitors,” he said.

From Peter Campbell

M: 0419 385 028   E: peter_campbell@bigpond.com