NS14 ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA
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Black Rock Yacht Club hosted a successful NS14 Australian Championships over the Christmas/New Year period - the first series in Victorian for 7 years. It was characterised with good breezes and weather, and close racing. Three Victorian crews competed. Results: Click Here
Every post-Nationals, we read with great interest the national champion's perspective of what it took to win. However, for the non-contenders, there are more modest goals. Read about the exploits of one of the Victorian crews that sailed the 2001/02 NS14 Australian Championships. Click Here
Forty six boats greeted the starter, with Peter Vaiciurgis and Nadine Wilson crowned as
National Champions.
Full results: Click Here
A late rush of entries has seen the optimistic 40-boat mark easily cleared with a likely fleet of around 50. Great to see all states represented too. It really will be the most national of nationals.
More than 30 boats have so far entered the NS14 2001/02 Australian Championships with
all states represented. We are anticipating that number will get close to
forty.
Entries so far: Click Here
For the non-sailing visiting family and friends to Melbourne who would like to watch the racing, a large trawler will be used as a spectator craft and will be sailing daily for those that wish to watch the race and maybe even take photographs. The trawler skipper is an avid sailor and knows the best vantage points for viewing. A small fee will be charged to cover fuel costs (5$, or even less) for adults.
The social calendar is complete and will comprise the welcome evening, which is covered by the entry fee. New Year's Eve will see an Hawaiian night, complete with band, so remember to pack suitable clothing. Entry will be under $10 per adult. Finally, there will be a presentation evening with spit roast and salad on the final day of sailing. Likely charge will be around $10. Full details will be available at registration.
For those staying in Melbourne a bit longer, January 19 will see St Kilda's Luna Park open, with all rides free, exclusively to all Sail Melbourne, and therefore NS14 Australian Championship.
For further information on the championships, Mordialloc, and Melbourne in general,
refer to:
Mordialloc Sailing Club: www.MordiallocSC.com.au
Sail Melbourne: www.sailmelbourne.com.au
The NS14 2001/02 Australian Championships will be just weeks away as you read this, with all indications suggesting that Mordialloc will host a bumper fleet with boats from all states represented. As the regatta is also part of the Sail Melbourne International Regatta, all competitors in the 2001/02 NS14 Australia Championships will receive a free Sail Melbourne/NS14 t-shirt as part of the race entry fee. Five sizes will be available, but competitors must request their particular size on their entry form for both skipper and crew. This can done by merely writing the size (S, M, L, XL or XXL) for both skipper and crew somewhere on the form. Alternatively, an updated entry form has been posted on the Victorian Association's website, so too Mordialloc Sailing Club's, to gather size requirements. Failure to indicate a size will see a size "L" allocated.
Please also remember that entrants must make cheques for the National Titles payable to "Mordialloc Sailing Club Inc". They will be returned otherwise. Unfortunately the entry form in the September bulletin was not clear about the cheque's payee, and the news about the t-shirts came too late to incorporate selection boxes on the form. Please spread the word to fellow clubmates that are not online about the cheques and t-shirts.
Early arrivals in Melbourne will have the opportunity to compete in Mordialloc's Rear Commodores Series in December. This series comprises 3 short races each day and will be held on Saturday 8th & 15th December. This will be a great lead up to the National Titles over Christmas as it will give competitors the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Mordialloc Sailing Club and its facilities, get to know the area in which they will be sailing, and race short races against likely competitors. For further details: (03) 8627 8040 or [email protected]
To those unfamiliar with the club, most specifically the launching situation, the club is off the beach. There is a ramp down to the ample-sized beach that trailers can be wheeled down. From there, it's an easy launch through the small shore break. Port Philip Bay receives no ground swell, though, in the event of a blow, what waves that are generated from the wind chop are easily circumvented by the help of a third person, or from launching from further down the beach where deep water can be reached on one tack.
New Year's Eve will see Mordialloc Sailing Club hosting a Hawaiian Night for those willing to shake their hulas. Tickets (approx $10 for adults, $5 children) will be available at registration. Further details of other social activities will also be made available at registration.
Mordialloc Sailing Club hosted the titles over the Victorian Labour Day weekend with a variety of wind conditions experienced. This included one light, one heavy, and two medium sized breezes. Oh, and there was one total blow-out on the Monday morning.
The ACT crew of Peter Smith and Jessica Wyers sailing Band of Gypsies fought off a dogged Michael Beckman and Martin John in Espada to win all races and take the trophy. Espada was always nipping at the ACT crew's heels but the lack of consistency around the course told in the end.
Third place was equally hard fought between new association member Nick Hinson and helmsmen Dave Parker in Dream On. They held off fellow new member Mac Bashai in Wild Turkey, helmed by Ashley Reid. Critical moment came in the fourth race when Wild Turkey capsized on the run, blew their lead, which handed overall third to Dream On.
We can't stop raving about the facilities at Mordialloc, which are undeniably the best in the metro-bay area. Other than the occasional steep chop, Port Philip Bay offers just about perfect sailing conditions. There is ample rigging and parking area, and excellent club rooms. Being the hub of southern bay suburb, every amenity possibly conceived is either within walking distance to the Mordialloc Shopping Strip or a 5 minute drive to the monstrous Southland Shopping Centre.
Weather-wise, we were blessed with 20-30 degree temperatures and 10-20 knot breezes and virtually no rain for almost the entirety of the season. Only one blow-out and one drifter can be recalled occurring on a sailing Saturday. During this year's corresponding period of next season's nationals, early dates saw 30 degree days with light northerlies following by sea-breezes in the afternoon. Then, mid-20 temperatures were experienced with 10-20 knot south-westerlies/sea-breezes for the remainder of the period. Basically perfect. Of course, lets not forget that 8 or so years ago (when we were in Albury and the Hobart race was ravaged), Melbourne experienced 3 days of rain and 30+ knot winds. What is certain is that anything can happen and variety is guaranteed. Weather systems affecting Melbourne rarely last for more than 3 days.
Contradictory to popular opinion, and Channel 10's late news forecasts, Melbourne is not always rainy. Sydney is in fact the wettest capital with double the rainfall, and it rains on more days. Brisbane is not far behind, with a huge gap then to Hobart and Melbourne. Perth and Adelaide are the driest. However, the fickle reputation is deserved where the odd shower can come out of nowhere, hence the often showery forecasts. Of course, predicted showery days often result in zilch. Melbourne is the cloudiest, though, but in this day and age of ozone depletion and skin cancer, is that such a bad thing?
Please read the accompanying information sheet and really think about coming along. With sailors from most states already showing interest in attending, again, it really does promise to be the most national of nationals.
