Sue Heyder Christmas Race & Lunch report (and some logistics looking forward to 2022)

/

Dear Members and Friends -  MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

 Last Saturday we held the last race of this COVID ridden calendar year.

While it was a short race, the participants enjoyed racing west of the Harbour Bridge for a circuit around the islands, finishing between Blues Point Tower and Goat Island.  The Committee selected a relatively short race with an early start to give all competitors adequate time to return to moorings, clean up and attend the Christmas Lunch in plenty of time.

The handicapping system calculated rather well resulting in a 3min 7sec difference between first and fourth. I thought that had there been a little less wind, it may have been even closer.  First home was G-Whizz (Graeme Davey) followed by Blue Sky (Carl Braden), Conquista (Alan Bull) and Starfire (Hugh Babington).

During the lunch we took the opportunity to award the 2020-2021 annual Trophies in lieu of July's AGM which had to be 'virtual' due to COVID.  The trophies awarded are:

·      Club Champion: Blue Sky - Carl Braden        

·      Spring Series: Blue Sky (Carl Braden)

·      Autumn series: Conquista (Alan Bull)

·      Sheep Station Trophy (with SASC) - 1st place Blue Sky (Carl Braden) - this was presented at SASC on 5th Dec. However the "Club" point score trophy was awarded to SASC with Bill Hogan (Hotspur) accepting the trophy on behalf of SASC.

·      Alan Rintoul Trophy - Tied result Blue Sky (Carl Braden) & Martela (Michael Jansen)

·      Errol Hazelwood Handicap - Race abandoned in 2021 (wind warning)

·      Trevor & Finn Memorial - Conquista (Alan Bull)

·      Ladies’ Day Race - Conquista (Cad Currie)

·      Sue Heyder Trophy (2020) - Blue Sky (Glen Ormerod)

 ·      Don Deller Trophy - Blue Sky (Carl Braden)      

As we are looking forward to 2022, here are some logistics I would like to share

  • Memberships are always welcome.  Renewal of non financial Membership will attract a pro-rata reduction (contact the Secretary by email) and we are always looking for new members. Why not speak to your friends and even people at other clubs who may find BPYC membership attractive. New Membership form and Renewing Membership form

  •  Fleet: Having more boats join our races will make it economic to resume a startboat and make our races more exciting and competitive.  If you know someone with a boat, encourage them to join us racing.  It is not compulsory they are members of BPYC although it is welcomed.  They will need a current Cat 7 safety certificate and insurance.  This is a great segway to...

  • Safety Audits - annual Cat 7 and Cat 4 .  At the end of last season, due to COVID, most clubs extended the validity of the 2020-2021 safety inspections but we do need to get these done in January.  Your club has a few auditors ready to volunteer their time to assist you completing your inspection.  Email or phone the Commodore to arrange an inspection.  

  • Upcoming races:

    • BPYC's Race 3 is our next race, on Sunday 16th January

    • The next BPYC-SASC Sheep Station Challenge is Race 3 on Saturday 22nd January

    • BPYC's Race 4 on Sunday 30th January

  • The last item is THE RAFFLE IS BACK!!! Carl and crew reinitiated the raffle on Thursday 9th December with a creditable $530.  Ann and Graeme Davey conducted the raffle last week and the Commodore will run it this Thursday, the last before Christmas break. The raffle will resume on Thursday 13th January and volunteers are welcomed.  Remember for every two times you run the raffle you are entitled to a $25 voucher to use at Blues Point Hotel and you can earn a $25 voucher more than once per season.

 Have a very Merry Christmas one and all.  Stay safe and COVID free. Enjoy your families and see you next year.

Michael Jansen
Commodore - Blues Point Yacht Club