Photo Of The Week
Well Done Junior member Mika Robinson for jumping into the water on Sunday to help with a 420 capsize.
Photo take by Fiona Lowe as Mika was heading back to shore for some warmth.

Off The Beach News
Howdy Gang.
What a weekend, eh? Sometimes this report just writes itself and this week is a standout. First off, it was Australia Day/ Club Birthday so we had two days of sailing to enjoy. Then there was the ordinary weather forecast for light wind on Sunday and a howling gale on Monday. Well, as usual you can't always believe the BOM; Sunday was a beauty.
A 10.30 start that caught a few out, gave the rest of us a ripper sail out near the mussel farm. A comfortable 8 to 10 knot breeze gave the 17 starters more than enough to get around the cans. It was so nice in fact that as I went through the finish, I jokingly suggested to RO Ross M that perhaps we could do four races then and not worry about Monday. He held up three fingers; good enough for me! Race two, more of the same, with a tight battle in Div three between all boats. Grace L came out on top, handing Dad second place again and the other boats swapping places left right and centre.
With the wind easing, it was clear that three races would be the limit for the day and that was ok. With lighter wind, the shifts seemed more pronounced, well they did to me anyway. As I finally, finally and legitimately went around the first three marks ahead of 'Gingerbread' Bill M and 'The Maestro' Rick P ( but still behind new member James T), I held a tack for too long instead of covering them, then tacked into a lull and lost the lot. Ah well, it was nice while it lasted.
Back to the beach ( that was a pretty nice sail as well ) and on with the festivities. 58 years and counting for SBSC and the party was going off! With such a beautiful day, it was standing room only on the deck and inside was pretty full too. With food, drinks and music, the atmosphere was great and when RO for Monday, Ewan C, asked me whether there were many that were keen for a sail, knowing that the forecast was for strong wind and 42 degrees. It might have been the bonhomie of the moment, but everyone that I asked was keen as mustard, " Where else would you want to be with 42 degrees than on the water with spray in your face?" they all said. Oh dear, be careful what you wish for!
Monday dawned hot and windy alright but not as bad as predicted. The Northerly was actually a Southerly, so the water in close was pretty flat, but those white caps were telling a different story further out! Ten crews were up for it , plus Taipan Tony, who was itching for a sail but sadly and wisely said that it was not a day for an A Class cat. " Take out 'Sabre 1435 Shadow' "I suggested. "John W said anyone was welcome and it was practically rigged and ready to go" What could possibly go wrong? Well not too much actually. After getting him set up and a two minute briefing on what to do when he capsized ( shut your eyes and hold your nose), he was off. With his cheer squad up on the deck chanting, "Tony, Tony, He's our man, if he can drive a Sabre, anyone can!" and Jamie F in the water as usual helping with the launches, Tony took to the boat like a duck to, well, water. I was ahead keeping an eye on him, feeling a bit responsible, and when we went past Duncan M in the water with his mast punched clean through his deck just from the force of the wind, and a couple of others heading back to shore, I thought "Hmm, perhaps this wasn't such a good idea". As I went past the start boat, I asked them to get the RHIBs to keep an eye on Tony. "Tony? Surely he hasn't come out in his A Class!" Then they saw him, ah, now it made sense, sort of.
No mucking around from the race team, course set, bang, let's go! Two Tasars, three Lasers and three Sabres, hit the line ( well, Tony went around it )and we're off. To be honest, it was strong, but the waves weren't too bad and all was good until you got near the top of the course. Those bullets coming over the hill really let you know who was boss! Round the mark and a good old screaming reach to the wing. I had so much water on board and at that speed, the suction of the venturi was so strong it nearly dragged me through the bottom of the boat! And that spay in the face? Yeah it certainly was keeping us cool! Not looking forward to the gybe, whack! made it, thank God for the helmet! Grace L came flying around the outside, not so lucky but up in a flash and away, dang She's good!
A quick look for Tony, there he is, oops, there he goes! But no, he's up again ( one of four capsizes he told me later and managed to get them all up on his own). Around the bottom and away again, still can't catch James T in his Sabre. Not to worry, staying upright is more important at this point! Up near the top mark I saw the Tasars go around and head off for the wing. I'm pretty sure I saw daylight under one of them. Around we go and a run for the finish, being very conscious of tipping in backwards after the day before's effort, I bore away a bit before working up the courage to gybe. There goes Grace again, Woo Hooing all the way!
Here's the finish, I think one race might be enough for me. What's that? The old blue and white flag, what a shame. Another reach for the beach, but hang on, where's Tony? I forgot to tell him that Div two is triangle/sausage and he was heading for the wing mark again, better go and get him. "Hey Tony, you've gone too far(again), do you want to finish after you've put in all this effort or head home?" "I don't mind either way, I haven't gone around any of the marks anyway!"
Back to the beach and plenty of helpers there which was greatly appreciated. Pack up, wash down, change and up to the deck. What a day. What a weekend! If you weren't there, well, sucks to be you, sorry.
I can't leave off without a huge thank you to everyone that made this weekend so enjoyable. From Dave and Deirdre Snooks and all the catering/bar staff as well as all the on water helpers Sunday and Monday. ROs Ross M and Erik M, Rob C, Simon H, Rob W, John M and Fiona L with Ben and Mika all in the RHIBs. It was Mika's second time out and she had to jump in to help with a rescue, great work. Also Geoff E behind the scenes getting the race set up in sailor app. Extra extra special thanks to Super D for her efforts on the Start boat, not just this week in such conditions, but every week without fail' rain or shine and even thunder and lightning!
That's about enough from me except to mention the absolute stand out play of the day on Monday. As good as Taipan Tony was, it paled in comparison to the one and only Mr Glenn Lazar, who, as he was leaving the beach in his Laser, spotted a JetSki that had stopped (almost), in his line. With some amazing skill, not seen since the days of the Holden Precision Driving Team, he kept his line and with just enough hiking to raise the boom to head height, managed to give the passenger a whack behind the ear hole and carry on as if nothing had happened without even looking back. Very smooth. No one was seriously hurt except Ross M, who nearly had a heart attack from laughing!
Sorry about all the exclamation marks, it was just one of those weeks.
Cheers, Pete Chippy
A Sabre Train taken by Fiona Lowe

Keelboat News
Results
Fun Friday Pursuit Race
1st | Christela | Greg Clark |
2nd | 11.11 | Till Brauckmann |
3rd | 2Xtreme | Andrew Clark |
Australia Day Schnapper Point Race
1st | Marrakesh | Neil Hawker |
2nd | Vamonos | Fiona Jones |
3rd | 2Xtreme | Andrew Clark |
Full weekend results available HERE
Thanks to our tower teams for their time over the long weekend; Amanda Malin (RO) and duty boat 'Vamonos' for Fun Friday's race, and Elaine Nicholas, Tom McCullough and Amanda Malin on Australia Day.
Festival of Sails
By all accounts, the boats representing SBSC at Festival of Sails experienced some great racing, including the passage races from Mornington and the city on Saturday. Some were well placed going into the last race day, but unfortunately Monday's race was abandoned due to weather so missed a final opportunity to make up some points!
Maximum Limit leaving Geelong Marina on Monday

Vincitore in action in Race 2

This Week's Racing
Friday 31 January 2025
Twilight Pursuit Series 2 - Race 3
Race Start Time (AEDT):
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17:30H Pursuit Start
|
Race Officer:
|
Dianne Jackson
|
Duty Boat:
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Adagio
|
Set up/Results:
|
Di
|
Sunday 2 February 2025
Club Championship Series - Race 6
and
Long Distance Sub-series - Race 3
First Warning Signal: | 09:55H Tower Start |
Race Officer: | Andrew Stocks |
Duty Boat: | Whiskers |
Set up/Results: | Jan |

To make this one of the best Sail Peninsula events, we need as many SBSC keelboats to enter as possible. The Keelboat and Sail Peninsula sub-committees would really appreciate it if skippers could please get your entries in ASAP to support this club event. To enter please CLICK HERE
Exciting News!
We are thrilled to announce a change in this year's format due to popular demand. The Friday evening pursuit race will now feature a spinnaker race! For more details, check out the regatta Notice of Race link HERE.

We are pleased to advise that the first 40 entries for this years Sail Peninsula regatta will be provided with one of our new promotional Bambak Canvas bags.

Bambak use old sails to manufacture bags like these and other products. Full details can be accessed here: https://bambak.co/pages/about-us
The sale of the bags goes towards community support projects and provides employment to people in Vanuatu. The name "Bambak" derived from the Vanuatuan language, means "reborn," symbolizing the new life given to discarded sails.
The bags we are promoting are about 30cm x 20cm with the SP25 logo on the front and a Bambak logo on the back, they are lined and have a zip closure at the top and carry handle. They are a very useful item for storage on your boat.
Get your SP25 entry in ASAP to secure your promotional bag.
Cruising News
Have you planned your next visit to Docklands? Click HERE To find out all about what's on offer at this wonderful destination.
Junior Sailing

Junior Sailing starts again on 2nd February and runs until 6th April.
The cost is $120 for members. Please click THIS LINK to register.

ORCV News
Melbourne to Port Fairy (Friday 14 February)
For 2025, the ORCV’s traditional race to the historic and picturesque port of Port Fairy has been rescheduled to mid-February, taking advantage of more favourable weather conditions and providing a feeder race for yachts planning participate in the 75th Adelaide to Port Lincoln race.
The 135 mile course runs SW from Queenscliff past the coastal resorts of Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay, before rounding Cape Otway and entering the southern ocean. It’s also Valentines Day, so what better what better way to celebrate your one true love – sailing! Enter here: www.orcv.org.au/port-fairy
Safety & Sea Survival Course – (Sunday, 2 March)
The next in-person day is March 2nd. Participants complete an interactive online component of the course before attending the in-person day. If this date doesn’t work for your diary, reserve your place now for June 1, September 7 or November 30.
Confidently support your skipper and other crew members by gaining a deeper understanding of safety and survival. Reserve your place here:
Refresher Course: https://www.orcv.org.au/training/sss-refresher-course
King Island Race (Friday, 7 March)
Registrations are open for the 114nm race to King Island. It’s tactical sailing that brings us to this unique island whose hospitality and steaks are absolutely worth the trip. Berthing is limited, enter or find out more here:
Rip Tour Port Phillip Heads (Sunday,16 March)
You can read a book, diagrams and marine charts, but seeing it from the water with expert guidance is different. The annual Rip Tour is a practical on-water training event where experienced offshore navigators share information on how and when to transit safely. Everyone gets a headset so they don’t miss any commentary on navigation aids, tides, lead lights, shipping channels and a copy of the ORCV’s Rip Guide. The 2025 tour departs Queenscliff at noon on Sunday, March 16. For your convenience, you’ll be able to catch the connecting Searoad Ferry from Sorrento at 11 am. Book your place for this unique learning experience:
Submission's
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