NSW Moth News:

2007 NSW State Championships

NSW had its annual Moth championship at Mannering Park SC on Lake Macquarie over Easter.

24 Moths, 15 foilers, 6 scows, one old fat skiff, and only two narrow skiffs without foils, just to show how the revolution has almost taken over completely.

Rohan is still clearly the fastest, he went the wrong way to lose heat 1, then won 5 straight and sat out the last. He has had a new production Bladerider for a only a week but has it sorted. Defending Champ Scott Babbage had his for about 12 hours so had a string of teething problems. Designer AMAC sailed one of the pre production boats and went fast most of the time.

Luka Damic sailed his Ilett Prowler to second with a consistant string of small numbers. Since Rohan is from interstate Luka got the NSW perpetual trophy with a long string of famous names since 1957.

The racing down to about 6th was very close, but the patchy wind coming through with rain made it a benefit for those who can get foiling quickly and at the first increase in wind. The top boats included Prowlers, Bladeriders and converted Hungry Tigers, including Les Thorpe with a new model Truflo sail. Lots of variety appearing again.

Winds from 5 to 25 kts at times, no serious damage incurred, no injuries, no dramas, good SC and fun time for all.

To prove it happend photos will appear in due course.

Phil.

Full Results (Excel 20K)

Photos courtesy of Scott, shot by Josh McKnight

NSW News - April 1st

The NSW Waterways Authority advise 'that as of the 1st September 2007 all hydrofoiling sailcraft operating west of Sydney Harbour Bridge will be required to display a masthead flashing amber light when at foiling speed'.

When quizzed about this ridiculous new ruling, the Waterways revealed there had been 'several' complaints regarding 'small hydrofoiling sailboats' in the Cockatoo Island vicinity. The complaints mainly refer to the speed and inaudibility of hydrofoiling sailcraft, causing a lack of proximity awareness in other waterway users - particularly large motor vessels. They went on to explain that since the fitting of flashing lights to the Sydney Ferries Corporation Rivercat fleet, on-water incidents involving other vessels not observing Rivercats had dropped dramatically.

The NSW Waterways Authority also wish to point out that a $160 on-the-spot fine will be applicable for failure to display correct navigational lights (this includes hazard lighting) and draws our attention to the following clause in the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook - 'Serious or repeat offences under the marine legislation will result in proceedings in a court after the issue of a court attendance notice. Such offences may include dangerous or negligent navigation and/or failure to display adequate hazard lighting'.

IMCA NSW will be making a submission to the NSW Waterways Authority in an attempt to have this matter resolved in a fair and sensible manner. In the interim, Moth Foilers are advised to exercise caution when west of Sydney Harbour Bridge and drop to sub-foiling speeds when within 30 meters of all other water users.

 

06/07 NSW State Championships

More States info including map and programme

NoR (40k) and Entry Form (31k) available for download

2006 Interclub Heat 2, Northbridge Sailing Club - 19 November 2006

The visiting boats first had to remember the tourist course that is Northbridge's Blue Course. The race takes you through 5 scenic bays, Powder Hulk, Sugarloaf, Spit, Long Bay and Sailors Bay. The visiting skippers arms resembled something of a graffiti wall with letters and scribbles all over them in an attepmt to decipher the course (including the 360 mark roundings). Just before taking to the water Steve realised that his gloves would cover half the course and some quick adjustments had to be made.

The fleet comprised of 3 foilers, 5 scows and 2 skiffs. Steve was able to foil slightly earlier than Pete and Les. However Pete was able to use his local knowledge to avoid some of the holes around the Seaforth Zone and the two of them swapped the lead numerous times around the course. Steve managed to get foiling out of sugarloaf the last time around and pulled away for a fairly comfortable win with Pete and Les following. Ian was leading the scow charge but pulled out for unknown reasons, which allowed Jim to take home the scow win after a close race with John around the course.

Northbridge played up to its famous reputation with wind that defies any logic. With a solid NE blowing everywhere else, when the fleet ventured down into the well named “Sailor's Bay” the wind died then came from anywhere ranging from the SE to the W. Afterwards the visiting boats were heard asking if the Northbridge boats actually did this every week. This was replied with a sly grin and “Yes”

On the upside a new junior moth, Jack Dawson was seen sailing his scow.

 

Peter Harney

 

2006 St George Sailing Club Report - 9 November 2006

St George had an Excellent start to 06-07 season with 13 Moths registering. Our fleet now includes 9 foilers….which makes up the largest foiling fleet in Australia !

So far in the season Steve Donovan has been the man to beat, winning every race he started. He has worked out his set-up issues from last season and looks more comfortable foiling than ever.

Luka finished most races in 2 nd place, however he hasn't got the same pace he had in his last year's boat. With the help of sponsorship from a number of sources, he will soon take a delivery of a brand new Fastacraft Prowler, with a CST rig and KA sail.

The man finishing 3 rd has been Grant Waymouth sailing Scott Babbage's old RTFM. Grant spent most of the winter training and is by far the most improved moth sailor at St George. He is a real inspiration to newcomers.

Phil Stevenson has also been fast this year and has been sailing re-modified Chainsaw. The boat is sporting an unstayed mast with shorter wings. I wouldn't be surprised if Moths in 10 years time look more like Phil's boat than the current production designs.

James McKenzie also registered at the start of the season and sailed in one or two races. He was fast, however had to leave for Italy to build some AC boats.

B14 champ Marty Johnson, is another new registration this year. He is in the process of building a new boat for the Nationals, but in the meantime he has been perfecting his skills on a Lazich fitted with home made foils.

Chris Dey has just moved into a new house which has taken up most of his weekends. Once he gets settled in, he is likely to be just as fast if not faster than Donosan.

Mark Wolny has progressed from his Fat Skiff and is sailing Luka's old Lazich.He spent all winter re-building the hull (it looks like new) which will have hydrofoils Andrew Stevo used in Melbourne . Mark is one of the 3 people keen to build a new boat for next season.

Another pilot fascinated with foiling is John Gilmour who is racing Anthony's fat skiff. He will build a new boat for next season, and has already started acquiring bits and pieces.

Kylie also graduated onto a new boat for this season. It's Mark's fat skiff now painted in pink and sporting a carbon mast with pocket luff sail. She is very keen to get over the learning stage of sailing a narrower boat and hopes to graduate onto Luka's Lazich next season.

Anthony has also been busy building boats and will race a narrow skiff this season. He has also very kindly offered the section his outboard motor to be used with the new inflatable the section purchased.

Richard Heritage bought old Ed Blackman's AUS9277 and has been racing every second Saturday. He is a very good sailor and won't be long before he is foiling on the hydrofoils he is currently building.

Bruce McLeod has been racing in low rider mode, however his newly completed hydrofoil should see him fly from next Saturday. He is also in the process of designing a new boat for next season.

With this many registrations, 2 brand new boats expected by the Nationals and 3 to be built for next season, the St George section is booming.

It also looks likely that Grant, Phil, Marty and Luka will make the trip to Lake Garda for the Worlds.

Below is a list of our registered boats:

2006-2007 St George S.C. Moth Division Members

  Rego. No. Boat Name Skipper Mode

1.  AUS9323 - Shenanigans - Luka Damic - Foiler

2.  AUS9324 - Chainsaw - Phil Stevenson - Foiler

3. AUS9316 - Karma Package Deal - Steve Donovan - Foiler

4.  AUS9243 - Virtual Reality - Bruce McLeod - Foiler

5.  AUS9168 - This way up - Kylie Lowry - Fat Skiff

6. AUS9258 - Scimitar - Mark Wolny - Foiler

7. AUS9277 - TBA - Richard Heritage - Skiff

8. AUS9305 - Cursed - Anthony Robertson - Skiff

9. AUS9344 - Revelations - Grant Weymouth - Foiler

10. AUS9149 - BOB - John Gilmour - Fat Skiff

11. AUS9306 - Hot Black Desiato - Chris Dey - Foiler

12. AUS9340 - Flying Lime - James McKenzie - Foiler

13. AUS9257 - Full Frontal - Martin Johnson - Foiler

 

Luka Damic.

 

2006 AGM - 14 October 2006

NSW Fees due - pay NOW and get more nautical miles for your dollar!!

A very compact yet effective AGM was held at Balmoral SC. The subdued carpark lighting created the perfect ambiance for allotting tasks to absent members, and setting association fees. See Minutes of 2006 AGM for full details.

After taking into account the effect of world oil prices and the cost of bananas, the committe set IMCA NSW fees at $90 dollars, plus another $10 if intending to race in the NSW interclub series.

Allan Godard was awarded the 2005/06 Interclub Pointscore Trophy

 

NSW Racing Calendar

IMCA of NSW Membership Form



IMCA of NSW Committee

Position Name Numbers Email
President/Registrar Phil Stevenson (ah) 02 9816 1028 phil@moth.asn.au
Secretary/Treasurer John McAteer (ah) 02 9949 2414
(bh) 02 9374 3048
(fax) 02 9374 3160		 john@moth.asn.au
Social Organiser Lee Gray (ah) 02 9949 2414  
IMCA of NSW
GPO Box 611
Sydney, 2001

NSW Club Contact List

Club Location Name Numbers/Email
BYRA Pittwater Les Thorpe 0412 979 157
les@moth.asn.au
Balmoral SC Middle Harbour Roger Quinn 02 9550 2178
Concord and Ryde SC Parramatta River Steve Donovan 02 9181 1338
jaseart@bigpond.com
Northbridge SC Middle Harbour John McAteer (ah) 02 9949 2414
john@moth.asn.au
Cronulla Port Hacking Tim Macgillivray 02 9523 0397
Hunters Hill SC Drummoyne/Greenwich Phil Stevenson 02 9816 1028
phil@moth.asn.au
Grafton Clarence River Robert Fish 02 6642 5334
r_lfa_fish@bigpond.com
Toronto Amateur SC Toronto, Lake Macquarie John Guy 02 4959 8538
j_guy@bigpond.com
St George SC Sans Souci Luka Damic 0421 639 965
luka@bico.com.au


NSW News Archive

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