REAR COMMODORES
RACING REPORT
REAR COMMODORE YACHT RACING
It is a great privilege to represent the Club as Rear Commodore Yachting as we begin the Sesquicentennial celebrations . It is important to recognise milestones such as these in the Club , to ensure we maintain our relevance to the community and our members . Embracing these values and visions are the absolute pinnacle for Australian Yachting . Once again the Club has far exceeded the plans and expectations set for the Staff and Management that support our pursuit of Excellence in Sailing . We have had an amazing season in yacht racing , and as one of the best hosts of regattas in the world , we achieved the following activities and participation rates :
CLUB RACING
• All Year Wednesday Afternoons regularly ( 46 boats )
• Early Bird ( 31 ) Winter ( 34 ) Inshore ( 47 ) Lion Island ( 53 )
• Sprint Spinnaker Twilights
• Commodores Cup & Mosquito ( 33 )
• Two Handed & Ladies Winter Series
• Broken Bay ( 32 ) SOPS ( 14 ) Blue Water ( 11 )
• Ladies Littleford Wines Spinnaker Twilights ( 13 )
• Thursday Twilights ( 46 )
REGATTAS
• The Wattle Cup Couta Boat Regatta ( 15 )
• Couta Boat Summer Pittwater Regatta ( 6 )
• Couta Boat Class Summer Regatta ( 6 )
• Melges East Coast Championship and Spring Pittwater Regatta ( 7 )
• NSW Sports Boats OD ( 15 )
• Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship with a record 16 teams
• MC38 Summer Pittwater Regatta ( 8 )
• Etchells combined Clubs Regatta ( 15 )
• Pittwater to Coffs Harbour ( 42 )
• Farr 40 OD Pittwater Spring Regatta ( 9 )
• MC 38 Spring Regatta ( 6 )
• Whisper Mug ( 8 )
• Dicko Cup
• Old Timers ’ Regatta ( 27 )
• Gwen Slade Etchells Regatta 2015 ( 9 )
• Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour ( 25 )
• MC38 OD Australian Championship ( 7 )
• Young 88 NSW Championship ( 12 )
• Autumn OD Regatta ( 17 )
In helping to make possible the achievements over the last year , we were fortunate to secure Katie Pellew as Assistant Sailing Manager . As always , the contribution of our volunteers is invaluable . As activities increase in the coming season , further volunteer assistance will be greatly appreciated and required . In the coming year , in addition to the MC 38 , Farr 40 , Sydney 38 and Young 88 regattas , we have one of the biggest One Design fleets . As well , we have the State and National Etchells , Finn Nationals and Optis returning to the Club .
A big thankyou to my Yacht Racing Committee members for their participation in discussions and planning towards formulating the Club ’ s yacht racing program . In my final year as Rear Commodore Yacht Racing , I wish to take inspiration from the Sesquicentennial celebrations and ensure we have the capability to action the new five year strategy . Whilst still under development , it is fair to say , similar objectives associated with growing participation , delivering membership value and addressing the age demographic will be high on the agenda .
The Yacht Racing Committee will need to integrate more effectively with the other Rear Commodore Committees and together be strongly motivated towards our Vision . In particular , closer liaison with Centreboard as their membership numbers continue to grow is the future of the Club . We need to develop a pathway for progression into keelboats and full membership . Furthering participation in the Club through integration of the various sailing groups is paramount .
RON PALMER
16 YACHTSMAN