PKSC Saturday 28th  October 2017 point score 7 (small & large cats) Championship 3 (large cats)
Catamaran report.
This week we were welcomed to a north easterly breeze at around 10 -12 knots with up to 19 knot gusts and a pleasant 21 degrees Celsius. This week a good turnout of 5 large cats and 5 small catamarans came down to sail. Regulars Tony Sanderson, Ralf Steyer, Jack Kroek and Les Porter away and Hugh Lewis doing duty with Brendan Markey.
There was a good atmosphere with plenty of people and boats. A large contingent of learn to sail coming down for their 1st week. A number sticking around and tucking into the great food at the canteen.
At briefing club president Richard Hipsley called for a minutes silence to remember Digger who passed away during the off season. A spritely 89 year old and a true gentleman who was still sailing last season. Before sailing his TY digger used to sail a Windrush, now owned and sailed by Paul Leaudais.
This week Hugh Lewis and Brendan Markey doing duty. We set a port course starting out in the middle of the lake in line with the western mud stick. Wing mark set on southern side of Gooseberry Island. Thanks to Todd Curry who hopped off Sharpie truck to lend a hand noticing discrepancy with the wing mark (yellow and red wrong way around) and the reaching angle for monos just a touch too tight for them to fly a kite. Hence we took the duty boat “Wal Curry” for a quick run down to adjust the cat and mono wing marks. With the waves and wind spray flying everywhere we ended up soaked to the skin, we both looked at each other and said should have put our spray jackets on. Once down back to the start getting the start sequence away at around 14:09:30pm. In the haste to get back to the start the anchor didn’t bite in well enough. With the waves and wind action by the time we got to the division 4 start the anchor had dragged a little making a port bias line. Both small and large cat divisions getting away smoothly. In small cats Jody Mathews deciding the conditions a little too strong and didn’t head out. With Yabby and Billyo not finishing it became a two horse (cat) race between Havok and Blue Wave. Tony Zahra on the comeback with his 1st race of the season out due to a dodgy back and Geoff also his 1st race of the season. In the end the seasoned campaigner Tony Zahra getting line honours. The large cats finding the line pretty tight due to the start boat dragging the anchor. They also had a great contest the Road Apple boys enjoying the stiff breeze and put on a great performance. Chris on his F16 Altered admitting to a swim during the race.

Another  great day for sailing. South Easterly breeze at around 10 -15 knots with up to 19 knot gusts and 21 degrees Celsius. This week  4 small catamarans & 4 large catamarans came down. Small cats Tony Sanderson, Bill Ledger, Ross Fyfe , Jodie Matthews and Hugh Lewis and large cats Paul English, Bob Porter Jnr and Johnny back with the 5.8 Nacra,  Les Porter returning from overseas and a new comer Chris Malcolm on a F16.
The rigging process wasn’t without a little excitement. A potential Berkeley Bay bummer award nomination occurred. When Tony Sanderson on Groove Thing  cleated off his flapping jib sheet whilst he when inside to sign on. A particularly large gust started his craft heading to shore gathering some pace on the beach wheels. Only some quick thinking from Dean Souter prevented the cat leaving the shore.
Approaching launch time the wind was still fairly strong with up to 20 knot gusts and a few deciding discretion the better part of valour. Bill ledger opting out doing finishes, Ross Fyfe and Jodie enjoying a ride on a TY.
This week a big thanks to Rob Porter snr, Les Porter and Josh doing duty. With the added complication of flying Ants states course straight out front they set about making a course that went out and around this smaller course. They set a port course starting out front of the club house, windward mark half way along the shallows east side and the wing mark back near the reef.
The start boat had a little trouble with the anchor dragging in the stiff breeze and waves so there was a port bias to the line.
The predicted abating wind strength was delayed and only 2 small cats and 2 large cats ended up sailing.  Small cat start was pretty tight on starboard tack. Hot Pepper just making it past the port pin. Groove Thing starting a little lower had to tack to get across the start line. There were quite a few waves and plenty of spray out on the wire for the 1st work. Groove Thing rounded 1st and started heading down the lake. Hot Pepper following. Hot Pepper noticed once around the top mark the Porters on their big cat 5.8 Nacra Road Apple had caught up and was heading out wider. It was then that Hot Pepper realised that Groove Thing was headed for IYC red mark and that the PKSC wing mark was out wider to avoid confusion. Unfortunately once Groove Thing got down to the mark realising it was the wrong mark, couldn’t find the PKSC mark and continued.  As the race continued the wind strength eventually did drop off a little. The F16 appeared to be a handful, whereas the NACRA 5.8 revelled in the conditions and blitzed the field. Hot Pepper had a port rudder jamb up and could not get it down. Ending up stopping in shallows of Gooseberry Island. This took quite a while and managed to force the rudder down and re-join the race a lap down. Groove Thing continuing misadventure continued when a trapeze wire swivel fitting broke and he went for a swim.
Scratch times across the finish line.
Rob & Johnny Porter – Road Apple- 1657  - Nacra 5.8 – 15:14:15
Chris Malcolm - Altered – 5000 – F16 – 15:21:29
Hugh Lewis - Hot Pepper – 6327 – Windrush super sloop – 15:47:12
Tony Sanderson - Groove Thing – 6346 - Windrush super sloop – DNF
Regards Hugh Lewis

Wind SSE 3.7 to 11.7 knots, over cast and a little bit cool. 6 small cats and 1 large cat sailed today.The start was set slightly NE of Gooseberry Island with a good length work to the top mark set of the “2WL towers” and a wing mark near Dixies Reef. The start was reasonable close with Tony Sanderson, Bill Ledger and Ralf Steyer crossing the line on the gun, followed by Hugh Lewis, Jodie Mathews, Ross Fyfe and Paul English on his 16 square. Ralf at boat end was sailing high but Tony further down the line had good boat speed, Ralf tacked slightly earlier than Tony who then made up some ground to be first to the top mark, only to be taken on the inside after a slow tack. The reaches back to the base mark was close with Ralf on the Dark Horse rounding first, the first tack was towards Gooseberry Island, Ralf was a bit “close for comfort” at the island and tacked, Tony had more height and after having to duck behind the starboard tacking Dark Horse he continued past the island, wrong choice, by the time Tony tacked over to starboard he was 200 meters behind at the top mark. Paul, sailing Playtime was next to round the top mark.The placing’s didn’t change until the last work to the top mark with Playtime getting a good lift through the centre and coming out on top at the windward mark with a good lead over the small cat fleet. This lead was eroded quite a bit on the last windward return leg to the X mark when Paul tacked towards Gooseberry Island and Ralf continued to wards the Headland, but in the end Paul crossed the line first followed by Ralf, then Tony, Hugh, Bill and Jodie. Ross had a swim and scored a DNF after having to get help from the rescue boat. 
Ralf.

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 This week it was mentioned that Tony Zahra would usually be sailing by this time of the season. Ralf mentioned that he is out with a back issue at the moment. We hope that we see Tony back soon.  big thanks to Aaron Weare and Pier Panozzo for doing duty and setting a great course. Tony Sanderson has iron out a couple of bugs on his spare windrush. A nice competitive boat that he is now looking at selling. Anyone interested contact Tony Sanderson for further details.

PKSC Saturday 7th  October 2017 point score 4 (small & large cats) Championship 2(small cats)
Catamaran report.
 
The fourth round of the sailing season was a corker. South Easterly breeze at around 10 -15 knots with up to 19 knot gusts and 21 degrees Celsius.
This week there were 6 cat catamarans rigged up. Tony Sanderson, Paul English, Bill Ledger, Ralf Steyer, Ross Fyfe and myself. Catching up with Bob Porter Jnr (sailing a TY with Bob snr this week), he advised that he and Johnny should be back with the 5.8 Nacra next week. Also that Les was returning from overseas next weekend and should be back out on the water around the following weekend. Building back up the large cat numbers.   Tony Sanderson rigged up his refurbished Windrush (alias Groove Thing) to test it out. And Ross Fyfe doing some setup adjustments on jib positioning had his craft on its side in the rigging area.
This week a big thanks to Leo Mavromatis and Richard Lech doing duty (filling in for Kurt caught up with work commitments). Setting a port course starting out front of the club house, windward mark half way along the shallows and the wing mark back near the reef.
This week the cats were out on the water in good time for the start. The onshore SE breeze making the lake pretty bumpy with plenty of white caps. With only the one large cat this week we told Paul he could start with small cats and he promised to start slightly behind so as not to interfere with the small cats club championship. However once started all bets were off.
The predicted abating wind strength did not eventuate and a fresh SE breeze kept blowing. Bill and Ross with their many years of experience deciding the wind conditions just a touch too strong leaving it to their younger peers and watch from shore.  When milling around before the start Tony Sanderson hopped off in the shallows on the leeward side of Gooseberry island to carry out some adjustments, back in time for the start. Start sequence starting promptly and the small cats were away. This week Ralf on Dark Horse hitting the start line 1st followed by Tony on Groove Thing, followed by Hot Pepper and then Paul on Playtime. The cats started on starboard heading east toward the reef. With good wind strength all the cats getting out on trapeze wire. Dark horse pointing high with Groove Thing pointing a little lower going for speed and Hot pepper splitting the difference not quite as high as Dark Horse. Playtime on a similar line to Dark Horse. Once nearing the reef the cats tacked heading up towards the middle of the lake. Plenty of spray as the cats punched through the waves. Another tack rounding the top mark. Dark Horse leading Playtime followed by Hot Pepper then Groove Thing. At this point Dark Horse already opening a lead over Hot Pepper and Groove Thing. Play Time staying in touch. A great reach was had down to the wing mark. You had to take care running down the backs of waves so as not to dig the nose in. Once around the wind mark it was a broad reach to the start just a touch tight so having to point up a little to maximise speed and drop in a jibe to get down to the mark. On the work back up the lake Hot Pepper stayed on port tack up the lake skimming past the east side of Gooseberry Island. Dark Horse and Playtime tacking at Gooseberry. We crossed paths again at the top mark. Dark Horse and then Playtime still holding a good lead. I think it was at this point that Tony on Groove Thing was caught on the wrong side when tacking and capsized, getting up without too much trouble however loosing touch with the pack. A great tussle was had between Playtime and Dark Horse. This week Ralf on Dark Horse back to his best leading the way. On the last triangle and  then windward to finish dark horse and playtime continued to lead trailed by Hot Pepper. Groove Thing capsizing again when tacking to head up for the final run to the windward mark. With the duty boat at hand the other cats headed to the finish.
Ralf on Dark Horse sailing particularly well leading the Nacra 16 squared of Paul English home. Once back on shore it was noted that Groove thing was still capsized and having difficulty in righting. Bill Ledger grabbed some binoculars to monitor things more closely and he advised that a flying 11(Andrew Mavromatis and Jesse Panozo) was capsized nearby and that the crew from it were giving Tony a hand in combination with the duty boat to right his craft, eventually succeeding.  When giving Tony a hand getting his boat out of the water to derig we found out that the mast had filled with water making it near impossible to right. Tony sporting a nice choc top spending time to remove the lake mud from his sail.
Scratch times across the finish line.
Ralf Steyer - Dark Horse- 6286 - Windrush super sloop – 15:31:07
Paul English - Playtime – 70 – Nacra 16 square – 15:32:22
Hugh Lewis - Hot Pepper – 6327 – Windrush super sloop – 15:38:00
Tony Sanderson - Groove Thing – 6346 - Windrush super sloop – DNF
Bill Ledger - Billyo - 182 – Nacra 14 square – DNS
Ross Fyfe – Yabby – 6421 - Windrush super sloop – DNS

Regards Hugh Lewis

What a difference a week makes in temperatures. The third week of sailing brought our 1st taste of summer sailing peaking at 29 degrees Celsius. With NE 10-12 knot breeze with up to 21knot gusts giving some excellent sailing conditions. Nine catamaran sailors coming down to experience the lovely day. Not all launching their catamarans. Bob Porter Snr and Jnr sailing their TY, Paul Leaudais having other commitments & not sailing. However four catamarans were brought down Ross Fyfe, Ralf Steyer, Hugh Lewis and Bill Ledger. Bill was studying the predicted strengthening wind conditions. He was swayed at briefing when the word was put out that a race finish recorder was required. So he offered to sit out and record the finishes. Tony Sanderson and Jack Kroek doing duty this week. The set a corker of a port course. Start in the middle of the Lake in line with the club house, Windward mark over near entrance to Illawarra yacht club and the wing mark between club house and Gooseberry Island.
At 11am the AGM took place with financials and then voting for new committee members. Resulting in a new small cats delegate “Ralf Steyer” and large cats delegate “Les Porter”. I relinquished my small cats delegate role to be “club Captain”.

After the AGM and a good burger, briefing and it was time to go out and rig our boats. By this stage it was after 1pm so there was a bit of a rush to get ready and out on the water.

Ralf was 1st to be ready and launch. Looking out over the lake the NE breeze was kicking in offering some great trapeze conditions. I asked Ross if he could see if Ralf was wearing a trapeze. “Must be one of those new slim line style harnesses you can’t easily see” Ross said. I tried yelling out to Ralf to check but without his hearing aids in he could not hear me continuing to launch and sail out towards Gooseberry Island. As Ross and myself followed Ralf out onto the water Ralf returned to guess what “put on his trapeze harness”. By this stage it was around 2:10pm and we agreed that if we missed the start we would simply start together. When we reached the start line the small cat sequence just started (be it delayed slightly) and we were ready for the start sequence count down.

Ralf on Dark Horse crossing the start 1st closely followed by Ross on Yabby then myself on Hot Pepper. Dark Horse and Yabby immediately out on wire heading off toward Gooseberry Island. Hot Pepper also out on wire but making up for being a little slower off the start line by working on pointing a little higher. Dark Horse tacked 1st followed by Hot Pepper and then Yabby, heading out towards the top mark. Hot Pepper pointing high was able to make the mark 1st, Dark Horse having to add an additional tack. After rounding the mark an excellent reach was had directly down to the wing mark having to hang back over the back corner to keep the hulls from nose diving. Spray flying and craft surging each time a wind gust came thru. Ross on Yabby had an issue with his jib and decided to head back to shore. Hot Pepper lead Dark Horse around the wind mark and again another nice reach down to the starting bouy. Dark Horse making up ground. Heading back to the windward mark we both headed out towards the shallows. However we couldn’t make the buoy on 1 tack and after heading north along the shallows had to put in 2 more tacks. When rounding the windward mark Hot Pepper was a little slow coming in off the wire when tacking around the mark, caught on the wire on the lee side. Only just able to release the main and bound over just before getting past the point of no return. Hot Pepper a little unsettled allowed Dark Horse to take the lead on the windward return back to the starting buoy.
Dark Horse making a round a 50m lead. Hot Pepper trailing Dark Horse around the starting buoy and working over towards the shallows on the second triangle. Pointing a little higher making up some ground. Dark Horse still making it around the buoy a few boat lengths in front. The final run back towards the starting line Dark Horse lead with Hot Pepper in pursuit. Getting closer to the buoy things were getting a bit tight with large TY “Rostered Off” reaching the buoy around the same time. This compressed us closer together. However I chose to give myself plenty of room and was a bit higher and able to back off. Dark Horse was pinching so couldn’t go too wide and tried to duck in between the TY and the buoy as they both rounded. Whether it was disturbed air or too close to the wind things didn’t quite work out as Dark Hose straddled the buoy. No doubt providing the Rostered Off crew a bit of entertainment. Hot Pepper couldn’t believe his luck and took off on the final work. Whilst Dark Horse did his 360 penalty.
Hot Pepper focussed on not making any mistakes taking a good lead on the final work over to the shallows and down to the windward mark. The final reach to X was a scream the wind strength having increased slightly. I was thinking of getting out on the wire but thought it a little risky and instead chose to work the mainsheet (often I cleat off when reaching). Luckily I had just taken main sheet into my hand and was able to drop some power when a 20 knot plus gust came thru causing the nose to dip and spray to fly.
With a commanding led Hot Pepper decided to go around the X across towards the shore before tacking givng plenty of room to work to the line. This almost spelt disaster as I couldn’t even get out on wire due to wind shadow affect of the shore line. Whilst agonising slowing heading towards the finish Dark Horse rounded the X and stayed out wide tacking and out on wire immediately speeding towards the finish. Hot Pepper realising his error headed back out towards the middle of the finish channel and was able to get out on the wire and hold off Dark Horses late challenge.
A great contest was had. Once onshore we were greeted by Ross lending a hand to bring our craft back on land. Commenting that it wasn’t often that he is the 1st packed up. After a shower a beer and a recount of the days sailing adventures with various club members it was time to head home.

No club sailing next week as we have the “TY Nationals”. All available cat sailors would be greatly appreciated to assist in lending a hand.

Also on Thursday at 7:30pm at the club house a special guest is available to run a rules night. All club members are invited to attend.
Regards Hugh Lewis

Sailing day Holfuy and local BOM Albion Park airport conditions snapshot

The second round of the sailing season brought us a testing westerly with gusts approaching 30 knots initially the day topping out at around 20 degrees celcius. However as the day progressed a southerly change came thru and temperatures plummeted to around 12.9 degrees with wind chill 6.3 degrees by around 3:40pm.
Even still 6 cat sailors came down. Bob Porter Snr and Jnr came for duty. Tony Sanderson, Paul English, ever young Bill Ledger and myself with catamarans in tow. After some discussion watching the stiff westerly breeze whipping up white caps it was decided to head indoors. With a couple of the fellas lending a hand a nice hamburger feed was had by the patrons. Tony Zahra rang a little dusty still recovering from a 3am finish last night celebrating Amie’s engagement party. Aimie putting in a guest appearance around lunch time to pick up some left over drinks from her party.
The wind coming and going in typical westerly gusts showed promise of a challenging sail. At the briefing it was with some disappointment for some and relief for others that it was decided to pull the pin and cancel sailing for the day due to strong winds forecast.
Make sure you come along next week to participate at 11am AGM next week.
Trevor mentioned that still needing further volunteers for the TY regatta to lend a helping hand.
Paul English advised that large cat numbers would be down in the near future with Les Porter over seas for a few weeks, Paul English away next week, Johny Porter away. Bob Porter snr & Jnr sailing the TY before the TY regatta, Kurt looking to step into small cats and Ross Boyd not sailing this season.
Hence it was suggested that combine small and large cat starts if less that 3 large cats. Still run a large cat and small cat point score as it was hoped that numbers would grow as the season progressed with Tim Makepeace, Bob Porter jnr & Johhny, Les Porter, and possibly the Southern Highlands large cat.
After Trevors good advice that better to come back next week. The other TY’s de-rigged. However Trevor and crew noted a lull in conditions and decided to go out. When on the water I think they had the pleasure of some 30 plus knot gusts and even a  rain squall capped off with 6.3 degrees wind chill temperature before making it back to shore to thaw out and dry off.
Meanwhile I assisted Tony Sanderson rig up his newly refurbished Windrush nicely painted, various new rigging components. Nicely installed bulk heads. Once mast was installed and main sail hoisted the wind started swinging around to the south and picking up to around the 20 knot mark and cooling off significantly. It was at the point we decided to derig again and pack the boat away. Going inside for a coffee to warm up. It was around 3:30pm Trevor was seen heading back in so Tony and I followed Richard Hipsley out to give Trevor a hand manoeuvring his TY in the stiff breeze safely back onto the trailer.

Kind regards Hugh Lewis (ably assisted by Ross Boyd and Lois)

Port Kembla sailing club sailing report. A sunny fine day cool 15°C with windchill apparent temperature around 10°. Sunny south Southeast Swinging south-easterly breeze starting out around the 12 knots dropping down around four knots with up to 20 knots gusts. A good turn out of cat sailors of 9 showing up for the first race of the season Ross Fyfe, Paul Leadaius, Hugh Lewis, Kurt Griffiths, Paul English, Bob Porter senior, Bob Porter Junior, Tony Sanderson and Bill Ledger.

There was plenty of discussion and catch up some of the things talked about were Kurt was interested in coming over to the Windrushes for some class racing and looking at options for purchase. Kurt was concerned that 97 kg was a bit heavy however Hugh Lewis Paul Leadaius, Tony Sanderson advised they are all around the 100 kg mark. The only light weight competitors would be Tony Zhara, Ross Fyfe and Ralph Steyer.

It was mentioned that Andy Blakley was also talking about sailing his cat again this season. There was also some discussion about starting Wednesday afternoon mid week sailing during summer and some of the lads were talking about giving it a go with lasers. When push came to shove the only takers to get out on the water were Bill Ledger and Paul English the rest choosing to come back another day. Hugh Lewis recovering from a infected arm (not sailing) giving Bill a hand to rig. Bill commenting that he appreciated my help but it wasn't quite the same as the lovely Louis. I also spent some time in the canteen and had a go at the finish sheet. Kurt decided not to sail thinking that the wind will drop off to much making it too light. Rob Porter snr and Jnr, Paul Leaudais and Tony Sanderson not rigging up, Tony spending time with Rebecca looking at Grant applications. Ross didn't bring his boat just his dog because the earlier breeze was a bit strong. But being a sailing tragic almost talked himself into going back returning the dog and getting the catamaran. Ray Stanley and John Bob set the Port course.

Start out between the clubhouse and Gooseberry Island. Windward buoy out in middle of the lake wing mark out near the reef. Assisting Bill to launch the cold lake water took my breath away when paddling in. The start sequence commenced on time the TY's getting away pretty close to 14:00:00pm.However it was with some interest seeing Bill returning to shore after a few minutes after the realisation he had forgotten his harness so he couldn't trapeze. I held his boat whilst he quickly put on his harness and set out again. Paul English waiting so Bill and Paul both took off together on the large cat start at around 2:15pm. The first triangle and windward return were fairly close sailing. It was only on the last triangle and to the X mark that Paul opened up a lead. From the shore it looked like they had a good tussle. Paul English taking out the large cats race crossing the finish line at 16:00:13pm and Bill Ledger taking out the small cats race not too far behind crossing the finish line at 16:03:19pm. Giving a hand to derig their craft they advised the conditions were quite good and an enjoyable 1st sail of the season.

I had to go and pick up the young fella from cataract scout camp so didn't hang around to get more detailed sailing report on the tactics, lead changes gains and losses. Hopefully next week I will be back out on the water and we get another nice day to entice our sailing fleet out on the water.

Regards Hugh Lewis

See below a slideshow of catamarans arriving and setting up...

Richard Hipsley had a few words at the last briefing of the season. Presenting flowers to Barbara for her work with the canteen. After briefing we finalised preparation and headed out. Trevor Dunn and crew setting the course to suit the NW breeze almost spot on planned start time the wind swung around to the NE. Hence the duty crew were busy readjusting the course to the new wind direction. Start line towards the middle of the lake, windward mark over near the entrance to IYC and the reef and the wing mark over towards Gooseberry Island. The delayed start gave the opportunity to sail around and check out the marks and get warmed up. After adjustments the start sequence commenced around 2:26pm so the small cats got away around 2:41pm.

I’m pretty sure Tony Zahra led the small cats across the line, crossing pretty much right on the hooter. Hot Pepper still having some work to do to improve start timing, trailing the pack. Most out on the wire with good speed on starboard tack heading towards the northern shore near the club house. Ross on Yabby pointing quite high followed by Hot Pepper. Once reasonably deep tacking to Port and heading to the windward mark. This week Jody on Blue Tongue also out on the trapeze wire. Can’t remember the exact order around the windward mark but I think it was Billyo, White Wave and Dark Horse leading the way closely followed by the pack. Groove Thing having dropped back a little as Tony Sanderson felt a little too free and easy due to a jock strap come undone on his trapeze harness. As a result he had to stop to re-attach. Once around the windward mark a great reach was had down to the wing mark. The breeze picking up a little and the catamarans really taking off. Another excellent reach was then had back to the start (bottom) mark. Thanks to Trevor and crew the course really suiting the catamarans with nice angles allowing great reaches. At this point the pack started to spread a little,  Billyo dropping off the pace a little as the strengthening breeze causing him some concern (looking after his shoulder).

From the wing mark back to the bottom mark White Wave leading the way around, closely followed by George from Southern Highlands(had a promising start), Dark Horse and Hot Pepper. However when George went to get out on the wire he slipped got dragged out back and capsized. Hot Pepper managed to avoid collision on port side and Dark Horse went the other side. With the freshening breeze George went to right his craft and capsized again losing touch with the leaders. An excellent work out towards the shallows, White Wave and then Dark Horse tacking off midway, Hot Pepper going deeper into the shallows to try and make the top mark in one tack. Hot Pepper close with some pinching but unfortunately missing out by around 50 metres. Having right of way over Dark Horse Hot Pepper had heart in mouth with Dark Horse having to give way adjusting, skimming past rudder blades. A little slow on tacking meant that Hot Pepper followed White Wave and Dark Horse around the top mark. I think it was on this leg whilst pushing hard to make up lost ground Groove Thing ended up nose diving and even though he was able to release mainsheet couldn’t stay upright and capsized adding to his deficit. An excellent windward return again saw great boat speed heading back towards the bottom mark.
By the second triangle the leading 3 boats had opened a small buffer with Silver Fox not too far behind working on bridging the gap. Hot Pepper dropping off the pace a little when reaching from the wing mark back to the bottom mark then got back in the groove making up ground again. The final run to X was a blast at times having to drop power in the stronger gusts just a touch to keep from nose diving. I think both Blue Tongue and George again were capsize casualties with the breeze freshening with over 20 knot gusts.  Round the X and home Dark Horse leading the way across the line followed by White Wave, Hot Pepper, Silver Fox, Groove Thing, Yabby and George. Billyo and Blue Tongue recording DNF although still out on the water for the duration.  See below for results:

Afterward once assisting each other ashore dismantling our craft we spoke about each of our experiences. Having borrowed a trapeze harness from Kurt, Jody was pretty chuffed as she was out on the wire under race conditions and felt a great sense of achievement.
Afterward a few partners and friends came down to join the sailors for a bite to eat and a chat at the club house. Looking over the idyllic vista of Lake Illawarra watching the sunset as the sun dropped below the mountains.

All that remains is presentation night Saturday the 13th May 2017 “Under the Sea” theme. Looking forward to seeing every one.

Sunset after a great day's sailing

Regards, Hugh Lewis
Small Cats Delegate

Paul Leaudais came down advising sad news that iconic character Tommy from Swan Lake had passed away. Only the day prior he had been doing what he liked best sailing with his mates. Paul advised he believed the funeral will be Tuesday 4/4/2017 at Rookwood cemetery in West Sydney.

After a burger drink and briefing we finished preparations and set sail out onto the lake. With a nice ESE breeze we headed out to the middle of the Lake. 

Rod Nairn and Amelia Richardson doing duty this week. They set a port course start out towards the middle of the lake behind Gooseberry Island, Windward mark over towards shallows and wing mark out front of the PKSC near Gooseberry island.

A few words from Ralf Steyer on Dark Horse:
Billyo and The Dark Horse got a good start at the gun at the boat end, Billyo out on wire and pointing well with good speed, I had height but could not match Bill's speed, further down the line with good speed was our visitor from the Highlands, George, but he wasn't getting good height. A number of boats gave away valuable ground by starting well after the gun went off. Looking back Tony sailing Groove Thing was getting good height but was also suffering a bit with speed.

As Ralf tacked he crossed ahead of Tony, Bill also tacked while the rest of the fleet kept going on starboard tack, not sure how far.

At the top mark it was Bill followed by Ralf - on the first reach Ralf overtook Billyo, after the wing mark I was lucky Les Porter was in a good mood and allowed me to sail my course instead of taking me up to where he obviously wanted to go and get on foils, he slowed a bit and then tucked in behind me and was gone in no time. The next work saw Billyo stretch his legs again both actually by getting out on wire and also pointing well with good speed, this allowed him to get to the top mark ahead of Ralf, who also managed to get out on wire for a short spell, we both stayed on port tack for about 3/4 of the way to the lay line, we both had to put in another 2 tacks to round the mark. George and Tony tacked early and appeared to make a little ground on us.
The breeze for the next work was a bit shifty and required a number of extra tacks to get around the top mark, no major changes in positions.
The last work saw Billyo and The Dark Horse well in the lead, we covered each other, George and Tony were close together at the base mark, Tony followed Bill and I, George tacked early and picked up 500 odd meters to come around the top mark not far behind the leaders, the run down to X saw Billyo sail almost square to the mark while Ralf and George were on a broad reach covering each other all the way down towards the Berkeley headland, George tacked slightly earlier and was then running almost square down towards X, Ralf came up under him and took him up a bit until we were past the lay line for X, Ralf only just in front at the mark, I was able to point higher and faster on the work to the finish line, but Billyo was first across (hopefully wasn't in front by enough to beat the Windies on yardstick) followed by The Dark Horse and then George. I think Bill enjoyed the wind strength, I would have preferred a bit more to be able to sail on wire. 
"The Dark Horse “

Even with last minute adjustments by the duty crew, the start sequence getting away pretty much spot on 2pm. During the small cats division 3 count down at the 4 minute mark Hot Pepper deciding she was starting a bit too far down the line so went around and headed up wind for a better position, unfortunately this meant missing the start and crossing the line after the 1 minute count down for the next division. Billyo, Dark Horse, George, Groove Thing, Blue Tongue getting away well. The cats heading towards the reef on starboard tack. Billyo, Dark Horse, and Groove Thing able to point high. Most choosing to tack a little early possibly to avoid the TY’s reaching towards the wing mark. This meant that an additional tack was required further up the lake to reach the mark.  Billyo, Dark Horse, Groove Thing, George (from Southern Highlands), Blue tongue and Yabby followed by Hot Pepper.
A broad reach was able to be had pretty much straight to the wing mark. Then back up to the start again. Most remained on port tack after rounding the start buoy heading over towards the shallows. Some sailing pretty deep and others tacking off a little sooner meaning that they had to put in an extra tack. Hot Pepper pinching was able to make up a little ground on some and with the variable wind and was able to make the mark on 1 tack. George from southern highlands trying a slightly different approach in the light conditions running directly back to the start buoy on the windward return. Dark Horse catching up to Billyo on the last triangle. Billyo remaining focused was able maintain his lead. On the last triangle going back up to the start line Billyo followed by Dark Horse with Groove Thing then George. George bearing away across the back of Groove Thing towards the middle of the lake getting good boat speed. With favourable breeze and wind shift giving good speed he managed to bunny hop Groove Thing to the start mark before the final run to the Windward, X and finish.
Billyo liking the light conditions leading the way across the line followed by Dark Horse who had a close tussle with George then Groove Thing, Hot Pepper, Blue Tongue and then Yabby. Blue Tongue in particular having a great day having an excellent race mixing it with the fleet. As can be seen below getting a 3rd in the point score.

After helping each other ashore Ralf having to demobilise and head off to a grand child’s birthday party. George enjoyed racing and advised he would be back next week. He also advised that any PKSC folks are welcome up at the Southern Highland sailing club. Saying that their season goes thru till end of April and that they sail on Sundays. Having 2 shorter races, one at 1pm and other at 3pm. We reciprocated advising that visitors are always welcome.

Whilst having a quiet chat with Ross Fyfe, he advised he had to get rid of a stick caught up on his rudder during the final leg. Also that he is always analysing how he went looking at what he could do to improve next time, like flattening his sail.

Whilst sitting out front admiring the view we noticed someone drive past and wave. The vehicle then turned and Jack Kroek emerged advising that he was showing his Dutch relatives around (hence why he missed sailing today). He also let us know that he had received a message from John Van Megan regards Tommy having passed away.

After everyone was off the lake the SE breeze started to kick in at around a healthy 10 to 15 knots. That’s sailing.
Next week is the last session for the season. Hope to see all the cats sailors for the final fling.  A few are planning to stick around for a while afterward, I hope you can join us.
Regards Hugh Lewis