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13_Yachtsman 2015.qxp_Yachtsman Magazine 19/08/2015 4:30 pm Page 26

Club Yachting
Blue Water and SOPS report
By Bob Bennett and Chris Grant
Clear Skies for the competitors on the Pittwater to Terrigal race

The results of the series are summarised in the table below. Congratulations all –
skippers and crew!
Club Marine Blue Water Point Score (BWPS)
Our fleet numbers for the BWPS remain constant at around the 10 mark depending
on the race. The Cabbage Tree Island race has presented a challenge to get good
numbers for so a change is in line for next season. Congratulations must go the
Occasional Course Language One team, our winner in all handicap categories.
Short Ocean Pointscore Series (SOPS)
Our fleet for the SOPS races are strong and typically 15 plus boats are on the
track which makes for good racing. The results below were shared across a number
of boats.

Another fantastic season of offshore events – and one memorable trip to Long Reef
resulting in an abandoned race as those big storms hit Sydney. Stories are still told
from this day and they do get better over time. Some of the fleet saw 50 knots and
got a very different i.e. sideways view of Long Reef. Lots of damage but no injuries
which is a testament to the skill of skippers and crews. Shame the race had to be
abandoned though, however our revised sailing instructions next season will consider
providing an alternate finish line to deal with such circumstances.
We have had some soft breezes as well but the Race Officers (RO) of the day have
done a great job getting us around the courses. I am sure they hear more from us
usually on the negative side, rather than positive.
One race must have had the RO talking to Huey as to send us towards Long Reef on
the first 04 leg and then towards the NE on the second time around was pure magic.
And then another saw the “Where’s Wally” flag out for nearly an hour. We had no
breeze but patience rewarded us all and the RO did a fantastic job again setting an
04 course that had us all back at the Club on time, after sailing in a delightful 10 –
12 knot sea breeze. A special thank you to the volunteers and staff who man the
boats, drop the marks, set the courses, keep the clock running and to Huey. You have
done a great job, well done and thank you.

There are some additional
equipment requirements
for the coming season
with AIS and sat phone,
to avoid the HF radio
investment, although this
will still be required for the
BWPS, Gold Coast race. So
check the safety category
requirements for each race
and join in the fun. There
will be prizes for the
overall BWPS winners and
for those who just elect to
complete the category 3
races, so no excuse for our
SOPS competitors not to
do the shorter BWPS
races. Speaking of shorter
Calm conditions welcomed those competing
races – hear the one
in the Pittwater to Newcastle Race
about the boat that did the
Noumea race – entered as Pretty Woman, but the delivery back was long and wet,
so she has been re-named Leaky Lady.

Time for a picture, the guys on High Anxiety are relative newbies to our fleet but Enough of that, its time to start thinking about next season and whether the offshore
had a great season per the table below so definitely deserve this highlight.
fleets need new representatives as fleet captains replacing Bob and Chris and whether
any further changes or improvements can be
made to maintain the momentum we have
BLUE WATER SERIES
enjoyed since the SOPS series was
reintroduced.
Place PHS
IRC
ORCI
1
Occasional Course Language One Occasional Course Language One
Occasional Course Language One The quality of the racing and attitude on the
water is exemplary. It is a pleasure to sail in
2
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