Report on BPYC Spring Race 6, 3 November 2019

The Ladies Day Race is always a hotly-contested event offering not only the usual array of generous prizes but, for the winner, the honour of having one’s name engraved on the beautiful, glass, perpetual trophy.

Four yachts competed: Blue Sky (Ali Braden), Megisti (Amy Kitson), Martela (Jane Rose) and G-Whizz (Ann Davey).

Congratulations to all, but especially to Ali Braden who put her dinghy sailing expertise to good use in Dad’s J/109.

Sue Heyder Christmas Race - Pictures

The BPYC finished the year 2019 in style with a race around the western harbour, followed by a Brazilian BBQ lunch in beautiful Lavender Bay. This traditional year-end race and social get together is named in honour of Sue Heyder, a long time sailor and committee member of the BPYC.

Bram Penberthy and crew on Etesian took home the sliver-ware for the race but it was winners all round in this amicable event.

Here are some pictures.

Race 3 (postponed) Spring Series 2019/20 - Race Report and Results

Once again we were delivered a gentle SE breeze at 7 - 10 knots, leaving us little option with course selection other than our most often sailed course 3. 

Our re-scheduled Race 3 was held in a pleasant 7 to 10 knot sou easter, which was a kind welcome to the new boat Etesian, who managed a good start and making speeds just half a knot less than the fastest boat, never looked back until she crossed the line well in front of the remainder of the fleet. Clearly we need to take a look at the handicapping...

Conquista didn't fail to impress us yet again, with another very quick sail up to Manly and back, crossing the line around 4 minutes after Etesian. Once again Conquista has shown us just how fast she can be, with an average speed of 0.55 knots less than the fastest boat.

Running in 2 minutes later and taking third place, was Martela, with Megisti coming home 17 minutes later in fourth, and Blue Sky - after struggling with the hoist of a recalcitrant Code Zero - managed a credible fifth around 7 minutes later.

Race 5 Spring Series 2019/20 - Race Report and Results

It was a lovely day on Sydney Harbour with a gentle breeze around 10 knots that lightened further as the afternoon progressed.  Unfortunately our starter was late to take up position so our start time was delayed until 1345hrs which may have given some advantage to the boats starting earlier.  The other surprise was that there weren’t more boats on the Harbour.  G-whizz had to negotiate through a fleet of racing Farr 40’s, but the 18-footers were fortunately away from our track as we headed to the finish line.

In the predominantly easterly breeze, with some NE and some SE, spinnakers and code zeroes were seen relatively briefly on some boats for the trek up and down on the Manly course.

Megisti started on scratch; last yacht to start was Martela on a handicap of 43 mins.  There were no nail-biting duels along the way, with the finishing order reflecting the starting order, except Martela came in ahead of G-Whizz.  A separation of 43 minutes across five starters became a separation of only about 20 minutes from first to last at the finish, with three of the boats finishing within about 5 minutes of each other.  All reported a lovely day on the water.

Our next race is the annual Ladies Day Race on Sunday 3 November 2019.  This is one of our pointscore races.

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Race 4 Spring Series 2019/20 - Race Report and Results

Once again we were delivered a gentle SE breeze at 7 - 10 knots, leaving us little option with course selection other than our most often sailed course 3. 

However, some of us really like sailing to Manly and back, so with the sun shining and a gentle but reasonably steady light breeze we all happily completed the course with very little drama. it was in fact a perfect day to sail our beautiful harbour.

Conquista was home first, followed about 8 minutes later by Megisti. It was another 13 minutes before Martela crossed the line, just sneaking in 5 seconds ahead of G-Whizz after the only real tussle of the race, with Blue Sky wrapping up the proceedings around a minute later.

BPYC supports Legacy on Anzac Day. The club donated $220 to Legacy after the Meat Raffle on April 25.

Thanks to all Members, Supporters, and Locals that came along on the night to contribute to this donation. And congratulations to the Meat Tray winners!