OFFSHORE UPDATE | FREMANTLE SAILING CLUB, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

August / September 2019 | Edition 02

The racing program this winter was aimed at getting inshore and offshore sailors competing on the water together and boosting fleet numbers. While conditions proved challenging, we managed to get 22 competitors on the water, spread evenly across Division 0 (8 boats), Division 1 (8) and Division 2 (6).

Congratulations to our winners in the Valmadre series. In Division 0 the racing was very tight and it was Checkmate who was successful on IRC while Syrenka took the honors on TCF. In Division 1 Crush that was 1st under both handicaps. Similarly, Hustler had a clean sweep of Division 2. 
Thanks go to our sponsors and volunteers for their help and support throughout the series. Feedback from all skippers regarding the winter program is welcome. It is planned to pursue more opportunities for collaboration between sections within the club as the new season unfolds. We will keep all sailors updated.

As part of continuing efforts to support on-water safety in our racing, a practical test of a personal AIS location beacon was conducted prior to the start of the Voladora race and competitors reported that this was very useful in terms of assessing their own boat’s responses (or not, as the case may be). Summary feedback will be forwarded to all skippers. It is planned to conduct another test during the summer series. 

Some important dates to lock-in. The wind-up for the winter keelboat series, including the IRC States, will be held at the club after racing on the 17th of August. This is a combined inshore and offshore activity. The offshore season opener will be on Wednesday 4th September with the first race, the George Law, scheduled for the 14th of September. A new handicapping format is also likely to be in place for the coming offshore season, replacing YAH. More details will follow with the Yellow Book to be published shortly.

Skippers are reminded to get their safety audits done in a timely manner before the new season gets underway. The process for doing this has been updated; contact the sailing office for details. 
Safety and Sea Survival Courses (SSSC) are now being conducted by the club and the September course of 20 is full. Courses are running each month and so far 50 sailors are booked in over the next few months. Pass the word and encourage people to be involved. Skippers can organise courses for their own boats and crew as well. Again, all details from the sailing office.

FSC Offshore Racing Section Captain,
Michael Thorpe

UPCOMING EVENTS

WINTER KEELBOAT SERIES AT FREMANTLE SAILING CLUB

WINTER KEELBOAT SERIES 2019 | LAST RACES - THIS SATURDAY | 17th August

IRC WINDWARD LEEWARD >> 0930

INSHORE RACE 7 >> 1300

CLOSING PARTY >> AFTER THE LAST RACE - LIVE MUSIC FROM 4PM

Fremantle Sailing Club Kiosk is open from 7:30am serving Barista Coffees and fresh Breakfast Wraps. Head to the Club earlier and fuel your inner sailor. 

Are you ready to celebrate the end of the FSC Winter Keelboat Series 2019? Club Marine Closing Party is this Saturday with Live Music from 4pm at the FSC Sailor's Bar. Great Acoustic Session with Ajai Peni. Don't forget to call Travis 9435-8821 to confirm your presence, he is organizing Drink Vouchers as "we speak". 

SAFETY & SEA SURVIVAL COURSE AT FREMANTLE SAILING CLUB

New Course available to try and keep up with the demand for 2019 Freo to Geraldton Race

The course is being run on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September, last chance to gain your SSSC before the Geraldton Race in Early October.

FREMANTLE SAILING CLUB | SUMMER OFFSHORE SERIES 2019/2020

SAVE THE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR:

ONE MONTH TO GO TO FOUNDATION RACE >> SAT, 14th SEPTEMBER

Offshore Committee 2019/2020

• Captain: Michael Thorpe
• Rear Commodore of Sail: Bill Henson
• Secretary: Máire Connolly
• Treasurer: Richard Kendall 
• Safety Officer: Peter Kennington
• Race Officer: Trevor Milton
• ORWA FSC Representative: Mark Nagleu
• ORWA Boat Representative: John Rayner 
• Sailing and Events Manager: Travis Burtenshaw
• Committee/Safety: Doug Steel 
• Committee/Safety: Andrew Nuttman
• Committee/Safety: Lyn Powell 
• Committee/On Water: Andrew Harrry
• Committee: Jody Lukeman
• Committee: Barry Walsh