On Thursday 16th November RPAYC will be hosting the return leg of the Masters Club Challenge for the one design DF65 radio controlled yachts against the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
The inaugural event was held in July at RSYS and on that occasion a strong team from RPAYC came out on top, bringing the recently donated perpetual trophy back to Pittwater. Apparently RSYS want that trophy back and have vowed to send an even stronger team this time to get it.
Each club will nominate a team of ten sailors and racing will be conducted on windward leeward courses in two fleets, made up of five boats from each club. Depending on the wind direction and conditions the course may be set off the marina at the Club or over at Rowland Reserve (Bayview).
There is plenty of camaraderie between the DF65 sailors from both clubs and often some amusing banter between the competitors, but that takes nothing away from the racing. At the highest level (World or National Championships) the standard of racing is on par with the strongest one design fleets like the Etchells or J70s. While our club sailing is not quite at that level yet we are starting to close the gap on some of the sailors from Australia’s strongest clubs in Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.
The first warning signal will be at 10.00am and Club members are very welcome to come down and enjoy the morning’s racing and have a talk with us about radio yachting in Halyards afterwards
