We'll, howdy gang.

Let me start off by saying "It wasn't my fault!" All I did was ring the weather Gods to state, quite calmly and reasonably I thought, that we weren't very happy with the service. I pointed out that we had paid for 15 knots the week before and got not a zephyr, and this week had better be good or else we would be taking it to Consumer Affairs. Of course, they blamed Marketing, who in turn blamed Dispatch. The nice lady in Customer Service promised she would get it sorted. Well, it turns out it was sitting with Australia Post at their Albury depot and they had delivered the thunder and lightning by mistake ( and late as well ). As often happens in these cases, both last week and this week's wind showed up at the same, hence the 30 knots! 

   

All the finger pointing and bad mouthing will do us no good though, because it just so happens that apparently, they are volunteers too! And you just don't want to Piss off the volunteers. Otherwise we'll all end up having to get Jetskis, or electrically insulated wet suits!!

 

In the end, there was nothing the Race team could do but postpone the race for another day. Geoff left it for as long as possible, just in case, but it wasn't going to happen. Thanks again to the race team of Geoff, Super D, Greg W, Simon H, David A, Wayne J and Russell T. That's seven bods who showed up regardless, so remember to say thanks.

   

This week is guaranteed to be perfect, what could possibly go wrong? Boat numbers might be down a bit as some sailors are off competing elsewhere. Bill M will be our only competitor at the Sabre States around the corner at Mt Martha. They have eighty entries to date, so if you get a chance on Saturday arvo or Sunday morning, go and park up on The Esplanade and check it out from above. It's an awesome sight to see that many boats on the same course.

 

On a final note, (and a great segway as well), in two weeks time on the 2nd of March, we are hosting the Great Mt Martha/Safety Beach Challenge. That's the week after Sail Peninsula so I know you will all be itching for a sail, so PLEASE PLEASE turn up. We outsail them in most divisions but they clean us up in numbers each year. Even if you only get on the water once for the whole season, make it this one. And bring your crippled Granny and all her mates from the nursing home too, we'll find a boat for them, and everyone counts!

 

That's all for now. Cheers, Pete Chippy

1st	Happy Days	Paul Copeland
2nd	Running Bare	Tim Pepperell
3rd	Le Tardis	Warrick Pearson

1st	Unprecedented	Andrew McGrath
2nd	Shimmer	Steve Twentyman
3rd	2Xtreme	Andrew Clark

Full weekend results available HERE

 

Race cancelled - gale warning.

 

21 boats competed in the Mustang Sally Anniversary Trophy Race on Friday in a brisk southerly.  And it was happy days for 'Happy Days' who were first across the line, following 10 seconds later by the catamaran 'Running Bare' who worked their way through the fleet after having the latest start time!  Great effort by all.  A huge thank you to Friday night's tower crew of Lynlee Coutts (RO) and duty boat 'Patriot' who had almost the entire fleet finishing within a 9 minute window.   Nick Jones, Keelboat Captain, presented the Mustang Sally trophy to the Happy Days crew after the race (below).

 

Race Start Time (AEDT):	17:30H Pursuit Start
Race Officer:	Amanda Malin
Duty Boat:	Seaclusion
Set up/Results:	Amanda

 

First Warning Signal:	13.55H Tower Start
Race Officer:	Till Brauckmann
Duty Boat:
Set up/Results:	Dawn Clark

 

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.

Junior Sailing starts again on 2nd February and runs until 6th April.

The cost is $120 for members. Please click THIS LINK to register.  

 

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: 

Full Course: https://www.orcv.org.au/training/sea-safety-and-survival-course 

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: 

https://www.orcv.org.au/king-island 

 

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: 

https://www.orcv.org.au/training/rip-tour-of-port-phillip-heads 

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