2018 SORS Optimist Regatta hosted by Georges River Sailing Club is done - what a great regatta with a mix of conditions. Congratulations to all some amazing racing over the 3 days - special mention to our 2018 SORCS Regatta Winner Daniel Links with a perfect score card 10 wins from 10 races.

Final podiums are as follows:

Open Boys
1st - Daniel Links (RPAYC)
2nd - Matty Goss (RBYC / SYS)
3rd - Austin Cross (RPAYC)

Open Girls
1st - Olivia Williams (RPAYC)
2nd - Sienna Brown (RPAYC)
3rd - Clover Norman (WSC)

Intermediate Boys
1st - Jack Scharf (PDSC)
2nd - Will Nobes (PDSC)
3rd - Charlie Byford (RPAYC)

Intermediate Girls
1st - Gemma Ashton (HHSC)
2nd - Sofie Maxwell (HHSC)
3rd - Caterina Meyer (WSC)

Sportsmanship Award - Hannah Kernohan (GRSC)

Green Fleet Awards
Most Improved - Jasmine Derwent
Encouragement Award - Zara Marks

NSWIODA proudly supported by Adina Apartment Hotels Boatcrewgear.com Boatropes.com.au

Boatyard Operations

The boatyard will close from Friday 21st December, 2018 - Monday 7th January, 2019. Competitors in the Club Marine Pittwarer to Paradise Regatta requiring a lift prior to the race on Wednesday 2nd January are asked to contact the Boatyard ASAP to make arrangements on 02 9998 3751

Clubhouse/Tender Operations

Mon 17 / Tues 18:

Bistro: 0900 – 1800
Reception: 0800 - 1700
Tender: 0800 - 1700 

Wed 19: 
Bistro: 0900 – 1900
Reception: 0800 - 1800
Tender:  0800 - 1700

Thurs 20: 
Bistro:0900 – approx. 2100 Twilight
Reception: 0800 - 2000
Tender: 0800 - 2000

Fri 21: Family Night & Club Christmas party
Bistro:0900 – 2030 -  Bookings through reception
Reception: 0800 - Close
Tender: 0800 - 1700

Sat 22 / Sun 23: 
Bistro: 0800 – 1930
Reception: 0800 - 1800
Tender: 0800 - 1800
 

Mon 24: Christmas Eve: 
Bistro: 0900 – 1930
Reception: 0800 - 1700
Tender: 0800 - 1700

Tues 25: Christmas Day: - CLUB CLOSED

Wed 26: 
Bistro: 0900 – 1500 (Boxing Day public holiday)
Reception: 0800 - 1800
Tender: 0800 - 1800 

Thurs 27 / Fri 28:
Bistro: 0900 – 1930
Reception: 0800 - Close
Tender: 0800 - 1700
 
Sat 29 / Sun 30:
Bistro: 0800 – 1930
Reception: 0800 - 1800
Tender: 0800 - 1800
 
Mon 31: New Year’s Eve:
Bistro 0900 – 2230 – Bookings through reception
Reception: 0800 - 2000
Tender: 0800 - 1700
 
 
JANUARY 2018
 
Tues 1: New Years Day (Public Holiday)
Bistro: 0800 – 1800 
Reception: 0800 - 1800
Tender: 0800 - 1800
 
Wed 2: Pittwater to Southport Race
Bistro: 0700 – 1900
Reception: 0700 - 1800
Tender: 0800 - 1700
 
Thurs 3 / Fri 4:
Bistro: 0900 – 1900
Reception: 0800 - Close
Tender: 0800 - 1700
 
Sat 5 / Sun 6:
Bistro: 0800 – 1930
Reception: 0800 - 1800
Tender: 0800 - 1800
 

Get behind Club Member & Olympian Jason Waterhouse who is representing Team SailGP Australia. We have been advised that the best way to view the racing will be on personal boats so if you are interested then please register for the boater program as this will provide you with the race information with the exclusions zones, timings etc. 

Sail GP is sailing redefined, combining awe-inspiring athleticism with supercharged foiling 50ft catamarans – the F50. The event will showcase the best the Sydney Harbour has to offer with racing like you have never seen before. SailGP Sydney taking place on Friday 15^th from 4pm-6pm and Saturday 16^th February from 3pm-5pm, 2019. Each national team will compete in fleet races, culminating with the top two teams racing for a place on the winner’s podium in a match race on Saturday afternoon. 

There are a range of free and ticketed spectator experiences on- and off-water. 

Boater Program

Bring your own boat and watch the action by registering for our free boater program to receive important race management information. 

Register here and you will receive:

• A commemorative SailGP Sydney boat flag
• Race management information
  • Race timings 
  • Spectator zones 
  • Access restrictions 
  • Latest racecourse maps
• The chance to win a VIP tour of SailGP Australia’s base on Cockatoo Island

Spectator Experience

We have a range of unique fan experiences on offer for SailGP Sydney, including; 

• Official Spectator Boats with Captain Cook Cruises
• Official Viewing Area on Shark Island 
• Guided Public Tours of the team bases on Cockatoo Island

Official Spectator boats have exclusive viewing positions on the course line, plus live TV coverage on board. Ticket types include self-cater options, premium on-board dining, private and corporate options. Our Official Viewing Area is literally in the middle of the race track. The area will be transformed with a big screen showing live race coverage and commentary along with dedicated shore-to-shore transfers, you will receive a gourmet food hamper and a premium open bar on the island. 

Register here to receive access to exclusive ticketing and event information.

Tickets go on sale on the 22nd of November and with the likes of Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge going head to head at over 45 knots boat speed, SailGP Sydney is a must watch event. For those who cannot make it to Sydney for the event make sure you register your interest here so that you receive up-to-date information on how to watch live at home or at your local sailing club. 

Two crews of 2 RPAYC sailors, Fletcher Walters, Jack Hildebrand, Oscar Verity and Ellis Merrett, made the journey to Wangi Wangi Sailing Club on the western shores of Lake Macquarie on the weekend of 24 and 25 of November to participate in the first round of the NSW 29er championship.  The regatta was only the second for the boys, having only spent a few months in the 29er after graduating from the Optimist (and Laser for Jack) at the end of last season.

Plans to do an afternoon training run on the Lake a day prior were thwarted by a howling 30+ knot wind, which continued well into the evening.  Saturday morning was still quite fresh, but calmed significantly to a 10-12kn westerly for the start of racing.  The first race got off on time.  At the first mark, Oscar and Ellis were right up in the leading pack, positioned 5^th in a fleet of 17.  While they couldn’t maintain the pace, finishing 12^th behind Jack and Fletcher’s 10^th, it immediately showed just how far the two crews had come since the State Youth Championships in late September. A wind shift to the south saw a course change for the completion of 3 more races on day 1. At the end of day one results of 10^th, 13^th, 12^th and 9^th had Jack and Fletch in the running for a top 10 finish, while similar results and an OCS in race 4 meant Oscar and Ellis were reliant on a drop and some good results on Day 2.

Day 2 started with still conditions, which then built to a consistent and gradually strengthening 10kn westerly for the scheduled start of racing.  Jack and Fletch got out of the blocks early, posting a 7^th in race 5 and followed up with an 11^th and a 14^th.  Oscar and Ellis were consistent during the day in posting two 12^th and a 13^th.  At the end of the regatta, the two teams finished within a place of each other in 12^th and 13^th and were well in touch with the much more experienced fleet at only 5-10% off the pace of the top 3 placing boats, two of which are currently ranked No. 2 and No. 6 in the world. it was an excellent regatta for both crews, illustrating the huge gains both crews had made over the past months of training, underpinned by some excellent coaching from Jim Colley and a healthy rivalry that has developed between them.

Team Ocean Respect Racing, led by Stacey Jackson, to raise awareness of ocean health issues in Australia, supported by 11th Hour Racing

In a bid to encourage stronger female representation in Australian sailing, and to promote ocean health and sustainability, the first all-female professional crew to enter the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has announced its campaign to win the coveted Tattersall Cup in Hobart.

The 13-strong crew, led by Skipper Stacey Jackson, will race under the team name Ocean Respect Racing, in partnership with 11th Hour Racing, an organization that promotes sustainability through sport. The team name expresses the message this outstanding group of sailors will spread throughout the sailing community in Australia, inspiring fellow competitors, event organizers, and supporters to protect the ocean. Sailing on the 66 footer Wild Oats X, the crew is a serious contender in the race, with a combined experience of 68 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races and 17 Volvo Ocean Races.

Stacey Jackson, Skipper and Founder of Ocean Respect Racing noted: “Sailing with a fully professional, all-female crew to Hobart is a wonderful opportunity and we are proud to build on the work of non-professional female crews who have previously raced. We are excited to promote and encourage women in the sport and engage with the Australian public on ocean health issues that are affecting us daily, both locally and globally. We are working with environmental organizations, as well as local yacht clubs, to further educate ourselves, be proactive in mitigating our impact on the ocean, and inspire our fans and communities to become ocean stewards.”

Since 2010, 11th Hour Racing has harnessed the power of sport for positive change with an innovative approach, establishing strategic partnerships within the sailing and maritime communities. These include the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race and a team in the 35th America’s Cup, along with giving more than 80 grants to not-for-profit organizations throughout the world, and engaging professional sailors as global ambassadors.

Rob MacMillan, Co-Founder of 11th Hour Racing, noted: “We are thrilled to continue our work with Stacey Jackson in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, building on her legacy with Vestas 11th Hour Racing and the Volvo Ocean Race. Stacey is a keen advocate for ocean health, which she demonstrates daily as a professional sailor and as a business owner. The opportunity to work with an all-star female team in this iconic offshore race is a great platform to raise awareness, and act, on the global issue of plastic pollution. We are very proud to support the  legacy that Stacey and her team are going to build in her home country.”

Ocean Respect Racing will promote the UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign, a grantee of 11th Hour Racing, growing the momentum of Australia’s recent commitment to the campaign to reduce ocean plastics.

Sandy Oatley who’s family own Wild Oats X and Wild Oats XI noted: “Sailing is a sport that my family is incredibly passionate about and we were delighted to agree to contribute Wild Oats X to Stacey’s campaign at Hamilton Island Race Week. We are looking forward to seeing both Wild Oats XI and Wild Oats X on the starting line for what is expected to be a strong race.”

Ocean Respect Racing’s crusade to Hobart became a reality when Sandy Oatley gifted Stacey Jackson the use of Wild Oats X for the race on behalf of the Oatley family. Wild Oats X is the sister ship to supermaxi Wild Oats XI, which has been decorated with line honors in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race a record-breaking eight times.

Working closely with Stacey Jackson as Ambassador for the team is Hon. Julie Bishop, former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Australia’s first female Foreign Minister. “I am delighted to be the ambassador for Ocean Respect Racing. This historic initiative will set the benchmark for female participation in sailing in Australia, and Stacey’s team comprises some of the most capable sailors. Importantly, I am looking forward to working closely with the team and the UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign to promote the importance of ocean health and sustainability in Australia. I hope that their sporting endeavors will inspire women and girls around the world,” commented Ms. Bishop.

The Ocean Respect Racing team will make its debut at the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on December 11th in Sydney Harbour. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will start on December 26th.

FULL CREW LIST
Stacey Jackson - Skipper - RPAYC
Dee Caffari – Second In Charge
Libby Greenhalgh - Navigator
Carolijn Brouwer - Helm
Katie Spithill – Tactics - RPAYC
Vanessa Dudley - Trimmer
Jade Cole - Pit
Keryn McMaster - Trimmer
Katie Pettibone - Trimmer
Faraday Brooke Martin – Boat Captain
Bianca Cook – Mid Bow
Sophie Ciszek - Bow

 
Images - Salty Dingo 

On the 13th of October, the three RPAYC members of the Australian  Optimist Girls squad  (AOGS) made up of, Bayley Taylor, Eva Attwood and Sienna Brown (plus parents and siblings) boarded  a 9 and a bit hour flight from Sydney international airport to Hong Kong. After the long flight, we got our sails and bags and headed to the bus which took us from the airport to our hotel. When we got to the hotel,  it was around 12am Hong Kong time and 3am Sydney time, this meant that all of us were very tired so we checked in and headed straight to our rooms to sleep.

The next morning, we all slept in a bit and then headed to the breakfast buffet. At breakfast, we ran into Ava Whitten , the fourth NSW member of the squad, her mum and brother. After breakfast we explored the hotel and then met with Sophie and Claudia, the VIC members of the squad and their mums. We spent that first day exploring around our hotel and doing a few tourist activities including a cable car ride over to the Big Budda and then walking up all the hundreds of stairs to the base of the Big Budda. We mainly caught the train everywhere with Josh, Ava’s older brother to guide us around the underground walkways and onto the correct train. After getting back to the hotel we all swam in the pool until 10 minutes before we left for dinner.

On the 15^th we all went to Disneyland where we met up with Shelly White, our coach who had just flown in from Perth. We had a great time at Disneyland and when we got back to the hotel, most of us went swimming in the roof top pool where we played Marco polo for hours. That night we went out for dinner as a group to an Italian restaurant. Pizza and pasta was a nice break from Asian food!

On the 16^th we all planned to go to the famous Ladies’ Markets in Mong Kok but when we got there they were closed… they didn’t open until 12 pm and it was 10 so we went looking for the Harry Potter Café and after we eventually found it, it was also closed. After this, we decided to head back to the hotel when we decided to catch the ferry to the island. We then got on the ferry and came straight back to Kowloon where most of the group decided to go back to the markets but my mum and I wanted to go to the Space Museum instead so that’s what we did although when we got there, it was closed which was very disappointing.

We then headed back to the hotel and ordered a Go Go van to take us and all our sailing gear 40 min away to our hotel in Sha Tin which was close to the Regatta.  Once everyone was in Sha Tin, we went out for a team dinner.

On the 17^th we all got taxis down to the water sports facility were the Regatta was held. We got our charter boats and started rigging for a training session. As we were rigging we all decided to play some music on Shelly’s speaker including songs like down under by men at work and Baby Shark! After getting some strange looks from the other teams we finished rigging and went out for a short training session. There wasn’t much wind and it started raining so we came back in after about 2.5 hours.

The next day was another training session but this time lasted for a few hours. We were racing with the other teams out training while finding dead fish floating around.

The 19^th of October was the first day of racing and qualifying, we had about 10 -12 knots of wind with the max gusts of maybe 15 knots. All of us had a good day although we still learnt a lot about the conditions and the people we were racing.  After getting back to the hotel we went to coach Shelly’s room for a de-brief.

The 20^th was day two of qualifying where we all tried our best to aim for gold fleet in the finals the next day. The wind had dropped down to about 8-10 knots and continued to oscillate and shift all day.

Day 3!! Finals are here and we all made gold fleet!! The wind again dropped down to about 3-6 knots, we only go two races in that day with half of us ending our regatta with a UFD. After coming in that day and packing up our charter boats,  we were provided with a traditional Hong Kong dish, it consisted of lots of different seafood’s and meats.

The next day was our last day in Hong Kong, most of us slept in and checked out at around 11-1130am. That day we all went to the ladies’ markets and became very good at bartering prices down. After we spent a few hours here we got lunch and started to head back to the airport where we got on our flight and travelled back to Sydney where we were greeted with classic Sydney traffic.

All in all it was a fantastic experience where we all learnt a lot and made some great friends.

By Bayley Taylor

Report from Daniel Links 

On the 16^th of August I left for the Optimist World Championships with my mum and the rest of the Australian Worlds Team, we had all placed top 5 at the nationals and were proud to go.

It was a long flight to Cyprus through Qatar and we landed in the morning with about a week until the regatta. Cyprus was a very nice country and extremely hot, we had the beach right next to our apartment and the club was a 15 minute walk away. Our apartment was pretty small and rundown but it did the job.

We had 2 days of training by mostly ourselves before the pre-worlds which was the practice regatta, there were so many people at the club and about 300 sailors. In my team there was Fletcher Walters and I from NSW and RPAYC, Alexi Wigglesworth and Quinn Auricht from SA and Blake Wilson from QLD. Our team were very good sailors and we all knew each other.

The training was a mix of winds and it was a very different environment from Sydney, there were massive cargo ships anchored, rock walls around the beach and flying fish. We trained with the Brazil team and the Finnish team as they were sharing our coach boat, we also had a day when we trained with about 10 other teams and did lots of races. Our team was going well in the training and we were confident and ready. We only did two days of the pre-worlds out of four so we didn’t get too tired. It was really cool sailing against all these other countries and it gave us a sneak peak of what the worlds would be like.

 When we weren’t sailing or resting we were exploring Cyprus and its history. We went to a few Archaeological sites and we visited some old markets and towns, the food there was really nice, halloumi, meze, humus and other dips. Other days we just went to the beach for a swim to stay cool and read books.

The first day of the regatta was very busy and it was very exciting. I placed 9^th and a 19^th which was a very good day for my first world championships. The qualifying went for 2 more days and I got an 8^th, 11^th 2^nd and 11^th. It was a very good start to the regatta and I was coming 15^th overall out of 270 sailors and had qualified into Gold fleet which was the top 66 boats.

Before Gold fleet we had some teams racing. The Australian team had some good close races before being knocked out by the defending champions being the USA.

Gold fleet was a whole new level with all of the top boats in the one fleet and it was very difficult the whole time. The starts were really challenging with the need to be able to tack quickly to the right after the start. I found this really difficult but learnt a lot. The competition was so tough that without a good start it made it very difficult to have a good race. After a tough final series I ended up 39^th overall. I wasn’t very happy about my finals but it was still a very good regatta and a great experience.

I was the first Australian overall and the only Australian to make Gold fleet. For the rest of the Australian team it was their last Worlds and last regatta in an Optimist. I have one more year left which is great.

The closing presentation was very fun and the New Zealanders even did ‘The Haka’. There was a band that played and the top twenty got their trophies. The winner of the regatta was Marco Gradoni from Italy and 2^nd was Stephan Baker from USA and Panwa Boonak from Thailand was 3^rd.

The World Championships was by far my favourite regatta and it was a great experience. I have learnt a lot from the Worlds and have been practising a lot on a few different areas so I can qualify again and go even better.

Thankyou to my coach Rob Brewer and my Australian team mates especially Fletcher Walters who I have had many great races and regatta experiences with over the last couple of years.

Over the coming months I have Sail Melbourne and Sydney before our Nationals in Tasmania. I am training very hard to go one better than last years 2^nd in the Nationals. Thankyou for the support.

RPAYC member and Olympic silver medallist, Nina Curtis, and Pierre Ainscow, injury specialist, who has also worked with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Artemis Racing, are excited to introduce Yoga & Pilates at RPAYC, to be trialled from Tuesday 11 December 2018.
 

Start Date: Week beginning 11th December
Cost: $20 per class per person – Week beginning 11th December all classes are free!
Location: Jack Gale Centre
Equipment needed: Please bring your own mat and a water bottle.
Also: you don’t need to be a member of SailFit to attend these classes.

Class Descriptions:
Pilates:
Simply put, Pilates is the art of controlling human movement. Learn how to control your body in new and challenging ways and reap the rewards of increased strength, mobility and improved posture.

Pilates for Pirates:
This Pilates class is designed to target muscles that will serve you well for all facets of sailing. Our Pilates instructor has worked with teams in the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup. A workout like no other, you’ll be surprised at what you’re capable of on the water after this class. Hoist the main, trim the jib and tack with ease. Rum not included.

Yoga:
Yoga is one of the worlds most popular types of exercise, it has a unique ability to bring a wide variety of benefits to all regardless of age, ability or ailment. Prepare to stretch, strengthen and discover what your body is truly capable of. Walk out of the class toned, energised and stress free.

Yoga for Yachties:
We all know that sailing is like no other sport! Every day on the water is different and the demands on the body can sometimes add up. Join our Olympic Medal winning sailor Nina for a Yoga class like no other. This class will help to strengthen key supporting muscles that often get overlooked in training and release problem areas to find better all body balance and mobility. A great tool to help reduce injuries on the water and keep you pain free. Not your average Yoga class, prepare to sweat, work and feel the difference.

Injury Clinic Open House:
For a select time only speak to our America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race injury specialist – this is an opportunity for you, as members, to get free advice and discuss any injuries, niggles, ailments or pains that you may be concerned about.

Meet Your Instructors:

Nina Curtis:
Nina is a Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club member and local girl who won an Olympic Silver Medal in 2012 and more recently competed with Team Brunel in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18. Along with her Sailing Experience and degree in Sport Science Nina is excited to inject her own flair into her Yoga classes.

Pierre Ainscow:
Pierre has vast experience in the professional sailing world working for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in their Volvo Ocean Race 2014/15 win and Artemis Racing in their challenge for the 35th America's Cup. Pierre is an injury specialist and ran a successful clinic in the UK before recently emigrating to Australia.
 

A very exciting opportunity has arisen to join the celebrations in Auckland of the 150th Anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) and the 36th Americas Cup.
After 12 months of discussions with the RNZYS, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is looking for potential entrants in both racing and cruising divisions and we are seeking Expressions of Interest for this exciting event from Sydney to Auckland in January 2021.

Partnering with the RNZYS for the finish of the race the RPAYC welcomes offshore capable racing and cruising monohull and multihull yachts to enter. The race will see divisions including IRC racing, Superyacht and a cruising rally. Take your race yacht over and compete in the many Anniversary Regattas and events celebrating 150 years of the RNZYS or cruise in company with your yacht to get ringside seats at the Americas Cup Regatta.

Visiting boats may also be interested in offshore racing and regattas in the Southern Hemisphere surrounding the event:

26th December 2020 – Rolex Sydney Hobart Race – organised by the Cruising Yacht Club Australia
2nd January 2021 – Pittwater to Paradise Race (Pittwater to Southport) – Organised by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Southport Yacht Club
26th January 2021 – Sydney to Auckland Race – Organised by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
6th – 21st March 2021 - 36th Americas Cup
May 2021 – Auckland to Sydney/Hamilton Is - TBD
August 2021 – Hamilton Island Race Week

If you are interested and would like to keep informed about the race please email sailing@rpayc.com.au

Five Lasers from RPAYC made the trip down the Federal Highway to the Nations Capital for the NSW and ACT Laser Association State Titles. The regatta was held at the Canberra Yacht Club on Lake Burley Griffin. The event was in two parts, Saturday was too much breeze and Sunday there was none.

Saturday saw a NW breeze which came through in fronts with wind gusting to 30 knots and then down to 15 knots in between the fronts. There was plenty of capsizing, plenty of broken gear and plenty of worn out and exhausted sailors. The courses were a trapezoid course set very narrow as there is not much room on the lake. The 4.7’s and Radials did Outer 2 and Outer 3 courses and the Standards did Inner 3 courses. Four races were held on Saturday for the 4.7s and Radials, and three for the Standards.

On Sunday we all rigged ready to go for the 11am starters gun, but the wind failed to eventuate. AP went up on shore and we all sat around and waited. Eventually when the wind started to look promising, some went out for a sail, but the wind soon shut down again and failed to produce a steady enough direction for a state championship regatta. At 2pm the started called the day off, so we all packed up and headed back to Sydney.

In the 4.7s on Saturday, best results were from Oli Gordon who finished 5th overall, then Morgan Wells who finished 7th overall (1st U18), and Bayley Taylor who finished 14th. Bayley demonstrated some swimming ability trying to swim after her capsized boat during a 30knot squall but eventually gave up and was rescued by one of the rescue boats to take her back to her boat, and she decided to return to shore during the third race completely exhausted.

The other two sailors from RPAYC were in the Standard fleet. Steve Bryant finished 13th after completing the first two races with a 4th and a 9th, but during the third race suffered a nasty head bump and gash to his head from his boom and returned to shore stunned and dazed. Dave Taylor broke his mast off just above the deck in the final lap of race 1 and therefore failed to complete a race in this year’s state titles.

Thanks to Canberra Yacht Club for having us there, a pity the wind could not have been a bit kinder for the full regatta to be held.