Small Cat News

15 April, 2010 : The past two months of this season hasn’t seen too many small cat sailors on the water. But those that have been able to ‘float a boat’ have had some enjoyable races. Last week 27 was no exception with an absolutely glorious autumn day with light to moderate ENE breeze.

Andy, Jack, Ross and Tony S made it a four boat Windrush slug out. Andy cleared out quickly from the start with Ross never too far behind – actually passing Andy before the x mark only to lose it on the short work. Jack, who was keen to finish a race, after having broken gear on the last couple of races, missed the start by a couple of minutes but sailed well to finish only a minute behind Ross with Tony five minutes after that. Well done Andy – we all look forward to you cleaning up that boat of yours for next season – but you know it might just slow you down some!

Hoping to see a great turn up for this Saturday’s final race, and the final Club Championship round for the year. Like last year, the Club Championship has come down to the last race with only 6.5 points separating the top four boats.

On behalf of all small cat sailors, our thoughts and best wishes are with Tony Zahra as he continues to battle his rib condition. Remember Tony, after decades of continuous sailing seasons there is always next season! Hope to see you and the whole family at the presentation night.

I’m very interested in hearing anyone’s thoughts on how we can build numbers in the small cat class for next season.

12 February, 2010 : It was great to see Tony, Amie, David and Melissa back last Saturday. Tony back almost 100% fit after his mystery illness, Amie from her jet setting adventures, and David and Melissa from lethargy! (just kidding). Only Tony & Amie, Chris and Tony S managed to get on the water as unfortunately Mel was not very well. Conditions were some of the most challenging experienced on the lake this season as a 18-22knt southerly whipped up a difficult swell. See our results on www.pksc.com.au . Our class numbers have dropped away since the return from Christmas, so come on guys we only have 9 races left in the season and will be shivering in our Winter woollies before we know it!

22 January, 2010 : Welcome back and a Happy New Year to all. Not a lot to report in the first few weeks of 2010 with only a small fleet as everyone returns from holidays. Good conditions in moderate NE breezes have been the order for the past two weeks. Chris and I had a great battle with less than 11 secs separating us at the end of the first race – just proving you don’t need a heap of boats to have close racing. Last Saturday presented close to 20knots at the start but eased to a comfortable 17knots soon after. Bill, Andy and I hit the start line all flying a hull. Fortunately for me my added Christmas pounds made the difference in this race allowing me to get a scratch win over Andy and Bill on his Nacra 14Sq.

For the Windrush sailors and those interested in the class, the following is a short report from Warren Pfeffer following his and Michael’s trip to the Windrush 14 Nationals held in Albany WA earlier this month.

The long trip from NSW to Albany WA had a bit of everything - goats, camels, bushfires, storms and even running water on the Nullarbor.

Albany was a top place to sail. 10 - 13 knots by 9 am most days and the lay day was the only day above 20 knots. Michael beat the WA cat rig guru, Mal Buzza for first place in the cat, while he also took second place in the supersloops behind a young guy who crews with Brett Burvill on a tornado. Rob Thompson was third in the supersloops and Ben De Diugicee won the sloops I placed fourth out of nine boats in the sloops (lost third on count back) and fourth in the super sloops. I had good speed, even in the lighter conditions but made a few large mistakes.

Sal and I are well. Especially after a few days R&R in a fishing holiday village of ~100 houses / shacks overlooking Venus Bay on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. (salt lake twice the size of Lake Illawarra). Happy New Year and cheers to all at PKSC – Warren

3 December, 2009 : Congratulations to all small cat skippers and crew who sailed the KK last weekend in what can only be described as challenging conditions. Tony and Amie (2nd) and Jeff Reed (4th) were the best of our local sailors with Chris, David and Mel, and Tony S all in the top half of the fleet. It was great to see Andy back last weekend after another sailing trip across the ditch to Auckland. Jack also sailed his first race of the season the week before last. Please note pointscore results to round 10 have been updated on the website.

Due to regattas and one ABN we have only sailed two club championship rounds so far this season. Our class has a lot of duty weeks in the early new year so I propose that we sail a catch up CC this weekend 5th Dec.

24 October, 2009 : Last Saturday saw pointscore six and the first of the small cat club championship rounds. 3 Windies and 3 Maricats sailed in a fickle E-ENE breeze of 12 knots. Great to see Andy (Seachange) back, sailing his first race of the season. David and Melissa (The Blue Monkey) were also back after rigging failure in round 2.

The short port bias start line made for an interesting time. I (Groove Thing) tried to run the line before jibing and crossing on the port tack. David & Melissa followed me soon after the start, and this proved to be the better side of the course as they rounded the top mark 1 & 2. I was fortunate to pick the shifts early but was a little concerned in taking the southern side of the course on the works, as the breeze felt like it could have swung to NE at any time. Tony Z sailed cat rig (with Amie busy with work commitments), and did very well holding off strong challenges from Andy, Ross, David and Geoff.

Please note that small cat results are now up to date on the website.

19 September, 2009 : Only 4 made the start in decreasing 17kt NE winds. David and Melissa lost their mast with a broken hound before the start. Tony and Aime had a great start and were never headed managing to get past Bill on his 14Sq. Tony S cleared away from Geoff and Ross which remained the order for the rest of the race.

14 September, 2009 : Huey was good to us for the first race of the new season with a 13-15kt NE breeze and flat water, just enough to blow away the cobwebs. Bill will sail his 14 sq with the small cat class this season and we hope he enjoys the shorter course. It was great to see Geoff Reid back at Port on ‘Havoc’ and Darren Schmidt ‘Full Tilt’ who travelled down for this opening race.

Three Mari’s, two Windies and one Nacra 14sq made the start, with Bill heading off on the Blue Peter as arranged – never to be seen again. Whitewave took a slight lead to the top mark followed by Groove Thing and Full Tilt, who took a quick spring dip, Jack Daniels and Havoc. Tony and Amie still held a narrow lead the second time to the top mark but this changed heading to the bottom mark as Tony S held good wind off the breeze. Tony S continued to hold Darren, and Tony & Amie off for the remainder of the race. It was good to see that the winter layup hasn’t affected the close racing of last season, with probably less than 5 minutes between all boats at the finish.

Hopefully next week we will see a few more boats on the water with Jack, Ross, Andy, John, David & Melissa, and Wayne & Brian still to brave the spring elements.

11 September, 2009 : The Notice of Race for the Mannering Park 14ft Cat Regatta is now available here

7 September, 2009 : Sailing starts this weekend - hooray !!