Club Sailing
It's been a great start to the sailing season with big fleets in some classes, Optimists, Starlings and Lasers all enjoying good competition. The 30 boats out last weekend in quite brisk conditions, especially for the rainbow fleet sailors, really brought Picton Harbour to life. The races around Mabel Island were a first for some, which they handled very well.
Welcome Back Neeta
Neeta is back into her coaching role. It's great to see the sailors who have recently done Learn to Sail courses back at the club on Saturdays sailing the club races. Thanks Neeta for your enthusiasm and input in helping build the club.
Coaching Vouchers
The system of vouchers seems to be working well. They are available in 10 session, 20 session and season passes. See Derek Anderson if you haven't got yours.
Anniversary Weekend Learn to Sail
There is to be another Learn to Sail at Marlborough Anniversary weekend. If you hear of anyone wanting to sail, let them know and get them to contact Ian Gardiner. Any club coaches available who could help, also get in touch with Ian.
Club Laser Hire
The club laser is to be booked through Ian Gardiner. The same terms and conditions apply as for the club optimists. These are outlined in the sailing handbook.
New Handicap Officer
Katrin Wendt has stepped into this role, for which we are very grateful. We can't function without a handicapper. Thanks Katrin.
QCYC Member Activities
At the start of the school holidays Scott Fyfe, Declan and Taylor Burn and Luke Bergman sailed in the NZ Youth Match Racing Nationals at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club in Wellington. The invitation came as a result of their good form at the pre-selection trial in June. Josh Edmonds was in the original squad but was unable to compete in the latter series.
In windy conditions eight teams of the country's top youth sailors contested the series, sailed in Elliott six-metre yachts designed for the purpose.
The QCYC team struggled in the conditions and with the unfamiliar yachts, but by the end of the series, were looking much sharper. It was a good opportunity to compete with the best in the country. The Wellington crew of Josh Junior took out the title.
QCYC sailors Taylor Burn, Alistair Gifford and Hamish Clark in Optis, Rachael Clark and William Gifford in Starlings, flew the flag for Queen Charlotte YC in the Winter Champs at Murrays Bay, Auckland, in the middle weekend of the holidays. The three day regatta was held in near perfect conditions, sunny and warm, with a light to moderate breeze but quite shifty.
All sailors performed very well, Taylor 5th, Alistair 9th, Hamish 29th. Hamish Clark had the race of his life leading almost the whole race only to be pipped on the last beat to the finish by one of the Opti Worlds Team. Both Taylor and Hamish suffering from Black Flag penalties, but all three opti sailors enjoying several races in the top 10. The Open Opti fleet numbered 87.
Rachel was 27th with a best race of 9th and William, 31st, with a best race of 11th in a Fleet of 46 Starlings.
We all missed Neeta's coaching and are sure all will improve further with her on the water in support.
A combined Marlborough Girls team sailed the 3 Day Spring Regatta at Algies Bay at the end of the school holidays. Eight teams took part in the regatta. All but one of the team are members of QCYC and all sail Starlings at the club. Marborough was represented by Rachael Clark, Liese Belgrave, Lee Stuart, Brooke Battersby, Nicole Davey and Evie Baxter.
Like the Winter Champs above, this regatta is set up as a coaching event, and the girls made the most of the coaching available, coming away with valuable experience and tactics, which they hope to use to improve their standings nationally.
They were especially pleased with their performance against Nelson College for Girls, the only other South Island team, which they beat twice. With the Nelson girls achieving 10 wins and the Marlborough girls 9 - it was very exciting to watch.
Reminders
* QCYC stickers are available at the bar.
* Xmas raffle items are being collected by Maree in the kitchen.
