Bruce Williamson

Firstly a special mention again and farewell to Bruce Williamson. Bruce’s funeral was held on Monday 10th and a great number of members turned up to pay their respects and share memories. Everyone will have their own special memories and Bruce will be missed by us all. A number of people have mentioned putting in place an award or trophy in honour of Bruce, so the Club will follow this up.

We have had some windy racing to get the summer started. The first Commodores Cup was brisk 30 nm inner harbour course with lots of corners to keep everyone on their toes. An awesome multihull course with high speed everywhere. Some nice new courses for the season. A line victory to Team Vodaphone, with a very close finish between Exodus and Dirty Deeds by just 16 seconds on the water. Charleston now showing some serious speed everywhere, and just watch how comfortable the crew look lounging in their wings!. Handicap to Exodus, Dirty Deeds and Charleston.

Second Gold Cup last Saturday saw Triple 888 really wind up in a big leg home from Gannet to stretch out in some lumpy seas. Taeping finished second with Hooters starting also but not finishing. These are good inner gulf races to stretch the legs a bit and get some fresh air out the back for a change.

First RNZYS Wednesday night last week saw 10 boats start . There are new course this year, and the M courses are a bit longer, but designed to get us back in racing with the rest of the fleet, so you can wave at your mates on keelers as you fly past. They are new courses so we will, as do the RNZYS keep an eye as the season progresses as usual. Charleston won on handicap, with Team Vodaphone second and a very rapidly improving This Way Up third. There are boats out there going faster and faster, and great to have new boats joining the fleet. Its close at all parts of the fleet, so you will have someone to race in the fleet for sure.

This Sunday see the first of a two handed three race series run by RNZYS. Its open to all multis and is a perfect pre Christmas series. 3 races, two handed medium length only, this has got to be a perfect series for the M fleet. A 20/30 and 40 mile race 17 October( Sunday) 13th November and 4 December. Last race will finish ashore at a nearby bay for a late Sat afternoon on the beach prize giving. Cool. Perfect for 8.5’s. See RNZYS website for entry details and course.

Don't forget Coastal next Thursday. Thanks in advance to all those volunteers, whose input is very valuable and most appreciated by the Club.

Matthew Flynn