The Committee is pleased to confirm that the Annual General Meeting of Members of the Fleet will be held at 8.00pm on Tuesday 27 July 2021.
 
Due to public health orders in place at the date of the Notice, the meeting will be held via technology with details to be distributed.
 
Agenda

1. Opening and welcome
2. Recording attendances, apologies
3. Confirmation of Minutes of 2020 Annual General Meeting
4. Fleet Captain’s Report for the period since the last Annual General Meeting
5. Treasurer’s Report for the financial year and Financial Statements
6. Youth Foundation Report
7. Election of Committee Members and Office Bearers
8. 2021/2022 Sailing Season Programme
9. Mould 11 participation in events during the 2021/2022 Sailing Season
10. IGC and ODTC Update
11. IECAA Update and Annual General Meeting
12. General business
13. Close 

Should any member wish to nominate for the Committee or an Office Bearer position please provide your nomination via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
 
If you are unable to attend and wish to provide your apologies you can do so via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
The formal notice can be viewed at this link 

I look forward to seeing you on 27 July, 
Mike Tyquin

Dear Etchells competitor,
 
I am writing to you following the communication yesterday from Andy Cumming, the Chair of the IECA International Governing Committee (IGC), regarding Mould 11 boats. It was issued to IECA owner members and can also be viewed on the Class website here.

In summary, as a result of a Rules Interpretation by World Sailing (WS), boats built by Pacesetter Yachts since 2011 from Mould 11 are not valid Etchells due to the fact that the mould itself was not approved by World Sailing, and under our Class Rules, Etchells Class yachts must be built from an approved mould.

One of the key elements of Andy's communication is that the IGC very much see M11 owners as innocent parties, that categorically, they are not cheats, and further, that past results will not be revisited or restated. Further, the IGC is working with WS to look at what options exist to keep M11 boats sailing (subject to the desires of National Associations). 

When I wrote on this subject last month, I indicated that the Fleet Committee would review any outcome from WS at the appropriate time, and last night the Sydney Fleet Committee met to discuss this issue. We have determined that as our principal objective is to maximise participation of sailing in our Fleet, all M11 boats will continue to race with us for the remainder of this season and that point scores will continue to their conclusion.

As our Club and Fleet events are not Sanctioned events under Appendix A, we do have some latitude in terms of the conduct of our racing (which we already exercise in many regards) and given the extraordinary circumstances the Class finds itself in, we have chosen to take a path to be inclusive, while the IECA and IECAA work through next steps.

We have had a great season with our numbers well up year on year and fantastic racing in good spirit, all despite the impacts of COVID; the Committee is very keen to see this continue, notwithstanding the current challenges the Class faces.

As I have said before, this is a complex issue with its origins more than a decade ago. If you have any questions please do feel free to raise those with me.

Good sailing 
Mike Tyquin
Sydney Fleet Captain

The 2021 NSW Etchells State Championship was held from 19-21 February out of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. The Sydney Fleet was well represented with 11 boats competing of the 24 entered.

In testing conditions that saw the race management team having to shift from the traditional course in open waters off Barrenjoey Head to within the estuary between Middle and West Head on two of the three race days, a closely fought contest played out between Martin Hill’s Lisa Rose, Colin Beashel in Havoc, local Billy Merrington in First Tracks and Etchells Class President Mark Roberts in Fumanchu2. To say that the racing was close is somewhat of an understatement! It could not have been closer, with mere seconds separating the finishers in all of the races.

On the last day only few points separated the leaders, and by the final race, any of the top four had the chance to win the championship. Ultimately it was the consistency of the Fumanchu2 crew that paid dividends with a fourth in the final race being enough to win by two points over Havoc and Lisa Rose who were tied for second and Fast Tracks only a further point behind.

Acknowledging the efforts of the race management team during the presentations, Roberts also spoke of the tremendous energy within the NSW fleet and the quality of the racing that has led to both him and John Bertrand AO, now keeping their boats at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and regularly travelling from Adelaide and Melbourne respectively to participate in this country’s most competitive one design class.

By the time of the presentations, Ben Lamb, Fumanchu2’s front man, was  already on a flight to Adelaide to participate in the Pt Lincoln Race Week regatta on Ichi Ban. Nevertheless, Roberts praised Ben and fellow crew Will Ryan whose outstanding contributions had been instrumental to the regatta win.

“These two guys are simply fantastic at what they do and bring every time we come together. This was our first full regatta together, having sailed as a team only a few times since October.” He added, “It is pretty cool how they worked together to get the most out of the boat and from me. I think we have a pretty good road map moving ahead and will continue to build on what we have done this week. I think there are plenty of good things on the horizon for the Fumanchu2 team and look forward to our next event together.”

View the full results here
Photos on Facebook

Article by Mark Roberts
photos RPAYC Media

Race Officer Ian Kingsford Smith writes:

The Etchells Milson Silver Goblets series is traditionally sailed as a twilight series conducted by the Squadron over five races from Monday to Friday. Despite all that has been happening in the World over the past 12 months, it is going ahead this week and the first race was sailed on Monday 1 February.

The series has attracted 28 Etchells, and apart from the familiar Sydney faces, we welcomed former World Champion John Bertrand from Melbourne, the Etchells National President Mark Roberts from Adelaide and well-known yachtsman Mark Bradford from Brisbane. It was also good to see a number of youth crews representing both the CYCA and the Squadron being part of the fleet.

The 28 boat fleet got away to a clean start in race 1 in a lovely, relatively steady 15 knot nor’ easterly sea breeze with negligible tidal influence. The starting line was laid off Point Piper and a course of 025 degrees was signalled, with the windward marks laid just to the south of the western wedding cake.

John Bertrand established an early lead and went on to win the first race fairly comfortably by 32 seconds from Peter Merrington and another former Etchells World Champion, Colin Beashel. The second race of the series is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Full results are available here.

Wanted - Trolley

Seek Junket or hardstand trolley to keep my boat on the hardstand at RANSA.
Please contact  David Bell

Wanted - Trailer

Seek Etchells trailer to buy, rent, or borrow, to transport wet Etchells (Foxy) from Greenwich Flying Squadron to storage at Picton.

Please contact DJ on 0404 827 375.

We have more for sale / wanted notices here. 

In December I was elected to the International Governing Committee (IGC) of our Class, the only Australian among the 10 elected Governors (note that Chris Hampton was also elected as a nominee of the GBR Assoc). Additionally, the IECAA (Australian Assoc) directly appointed two Governors, Ray Smith and Chris Pratt. Two Governors were also directly appointed by the US Assoc. Given the emails of recent days and the feedback I have received, I wanted to share a simple synopsis from my personal experience at this early stage.

Firstly, it has been a busy period getting up to speed. There is, in the words of my fellow Governor Peter Duncan, “a lot of wood to chop!” On a positive note, there is a strong commitment from the new IGC to improve engagement, governance and communication. Commitment to a regular meeting framework (not previously in place), a new and expanded ODTC and progression of framework of a Class audit have all been put in place in the first month of the new IGC. 

Secondly, the major issue before the IGC is the resolution of the Mould 11 issue. You will have read Andy Cumming's email and Mark Roberts' position. The issue is complex, has been on foot for some time and requires resolution. 

In terms of the current situation, based on World Sailing’s advice, Mould 11 is not a registered mould of the class. While this does have implications for the legality of boats built from it and it is unclear why the mould was not registered when it was built in 2011, importantly, the Australian Association is actively commencing the certification process with World Sailing. This process will be comprehensive, and I am pleased that this matter will sit with World Sailing as the Authority of our Class. This process will no doubt appropriately address and ensure the continuing One Design approach of our class, which has been central to its success for 50 years.

As for the boats, per our class rules, the determination of the legality of a boat (ie the issue or withdrawal of its World Sailing plaque) ultimately rests with World Sailing. From a competition perspective, it is clear from my discussions with many of you this week, that as a fleet, we will continue to welcome all of our fleet members to race with and against us, and we look forward to doing so. M11 boats can also continue to compete at regattas such as the upcoming NSW State Championship. Until and unless WS determine to withdraw plaques, there is no need to revisit this.

No doubt the Class, for all of its strengths, has some issues to resolve, but equally, close to home, we enjoy a growing fleet, have established a Youth program and continue to provide the best racing around. We can always improve, and to that end, if you have any issues you’d like to discuss, please do get in touch.

Finally, the Fleet will host a Fleet Forum next Wednesday evening after racing at approximately 1930hrs. Mark Roberts and I will be in attendance to discuss these matters and address your questions regarding the Class. We will also circulate a Zoom link for those unable to attend in person. 

Mike Tyquin
Sydney Fleet Captain

Unfortunately on the Saturday of the Eaton Cup there were two incidents with Manly Ferries. Both incidents were subject to reports and resulted in RSYS being asked to shift the race course. Maritime was present in our course area for the day and five boats were disqualified.

Compliance with RMS requirements is absolute. As result of these events, RSYS, with the support of the Fleet, will in future events score boats DNE for a failure to comply with RMS requirements in relation to Ferries. Competitors are also reminded that Rule 2, Fair Sailing, is also in consideration where a competitor does not comply with these requirements and derives an advantage.

In addition to safety and fair sailing, we must be mindful of the implications for RSYS and its Aquatic License.

Mike Tyquin
Sydney Fleet Captain

The Sydney Etchells fleet is once again looking forward to hosting one of the marquee events on the annual Australian Etchells racing calendar from 1 to 5 February 2021. On offer will be the historic Milson Silver Goblets.

Hosted by RSYS, the event comprises five twilight races, against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Competitors enjoy exceptional summer sailing conditions and the midweek reduced water traffic. 

The 2019 Goblets was won by Graeme Taylor with Ben Lamb and James Mayo on Magpie; 2nd was Havoc with Iain Murray, Colin Beashel and Richie Allanson; and 3rd Jeanne-Claude Strong's Flying High. The Corinthian trophy was won by Matt Whitnall's Synergy. 

Hot on the heels of the successful Eaton Cup Summer Championship, we anticipate another 30 entries, with the typical high standard of racing that the Etchells class provides, especially in the Sydney Fleet. 

Entries are open and the Notice of Race and Entry Forms are available via the RSYS website here
For more information, please contact the Fleet Captain Mike Tyquin or call 0422 381 151.

Report by James Mayo, skipper of the Summer Championship winner Magpie (EAUS1486).

The team on Magpie (EAUS1486) comprised Tom Slingsby on the bow, Jake Lily steering and myself in the middle. That’s my second regatta with Jake and second regatta win. GT was held up in Melbourne so we had Jake steer allowing Tom and I to stay in our positions. Jake is off to the Olympics and has a real chance to win a medal, so to have him on board and support him in his role was great for all of us. We wish Jake and all the other sailors all the best as they continue their journey, which has been difficult to say the least. 

To the regatta. We had a total of nine races and our worst result was a seventh, which we dropped, so we were very consistent and finished the last race with the first place. It came down to the last race as we were equal points with Mark Bradford’s Pie (EAUS947).

The fleet comprised 31 boats which is an incredible testament to the  Squadron,   the Class Association and all the committed volunteers and race committee. The Association has done an excellent job building the fleet by getting past sailors back into the class, as well as attracting new sailors through junior development programs. 

RSYS has been incredibly generous with their support for, and commitment to, the Intermediate Program, and we are for ever grateful for their efforts and encouragement. We had three Youth teams competing. Matt Stenta and his crew won one race and came second in another. They are going to be a force to reckon with in time!

Neville Wittey sailed with three of the Youth teams. His dedication to giving back to our Class and sailing in general is admirable. I would like to acknowledge the support of Ritchie Allanson who has given so much to our class. A great deal of our success is directly attributable to him. Finally,  it was wonderful to  have numerous sailors from local clubs come and join us, especially the sailors from Lake Macquarie. 

Day 3, Sunday 17 January by Ian Kingsford Smith

The Etchells Summer Championship and the Eaton Cup were up for grabs on Sunday and could have been won by any one of six or seven boats on the final day of racing. A discard didn’t kick in until nine races had been completed and this potentially could have had a significant bearing on the final results.

The race committee for most of Day 3 was left chasing the 10 – 15 knot wind which had very large oscillations, but with an overall tendency to go left as the afternoon progressed. An hour before the first of the final three races scheduled for Sunday, the wind was from 160 to 170 degrees. By the scheduled start time of Race 7, it was at 140 degrees. A starting line was set in Athol Bay with the top marks in Double Bay, and the fleet got away cleanly at the first start. A course change to 120 degrees was signalled at the gate. Peter Merrington and Steve Jarvin in First Tracks scored their first win in the regatta, Matthew Stenta sailing Community Transgression was second and James Mayo in Magpie, third.

Race 8 was started in Athol Bay with the top marks at 120 degrees but as with Race 7, it was changed to 100 degrees at the leeward gate. Jeanne-Claude Strong in Flying High recorded her fourth win of the regatta, but included in her score was a disqualification from the second race on Saturday. Second was Mark Bradford in Pie and third Martin Hill sailing Lisa Rose

As the wind had gone even further left, the starting area for Race 9 was moved as far south in Athol Bay as possible without impinging on the shipping and ferry channel. The race was started on bearing of 100 degrees but with the wind continuing to go left, yet another change of course was signalled at the top marks for the last run to the finish. In a few hours, the wind had shifted from 160 degrees to 080 degrees at the finish of Race 9.

The final race was won by James Mayo’s Magpie, from First Tracks and Steve Billingham’s Thelastone. Magpie’s win gave them the Championship and the Eaton Cup after sailing a very consistent series, their worst place being a seventh in Race 2 which they were able to discard. Mark Bradford sailing Pie was second overall and Peter Merrington and Steve Jarvin third overall.

Despite the difficult and tricky conditions over the weekend, all reports from the competitors were positive and they thoroughly enjoyed the format of the three day regatta.

Full results are available here.

View photos by Kylie Wilson here

James Mayo, with crewmates Jake Lilley and Tom Slingsby, has won the Summer Championship, just pipping fellow Squadron Member Mark Bradford. 

The top 10:                                                                                                               pointscore

1    Magpie (EAUS1486)                                  James Mayo                     RSYS     27
2    Pie (EAUS947)                                            Mark Bradford                 RSYS     30
3    First Tracks (EAUS1485)                            P.Merrington/S.Jarvin    CYCA    37
4    Flying High (EAUS1475)                            JC Strong                         RSYS    41
5    Havoc (EAUS1487)                                     Colin Beashel                  RSYS    41
6    Great White Hunter (EAUS1483)             David Dunn                      RSYS    46
7    Community Transmission (EAUS1401)    Matthew Stenta             RSYS    63
8    1463 (EAUS1463)                                       Matthew Ramaley           RSYS    68
9    Carabella IV (EAUS1219)                           Matthew McCann           RSYS    74
10    Vincero (EAUS1343)                                Gardner/Kingsmill           RSYS    81

View final Pointscore here

We were particularly pleased to welcome several teams of Youth sailors and commend them for excellent racing.

Community Transmission, Matthew Stenta (skipper), Jay Griffin, Tara Blancramos, Murray Jones
Adam Magpie, Tom Grimes (skipper), Mitch Evans, Nick Rozenauers, George Richardson
Vivienne, Jed Cruickshank (skipper), Aiden Mansley, Charlotte Alexander, Tiana Wittey.

Photos by Kylie Wilson

Day 2, 16 January 2021 by Ian Kingsford Smith

The forecast for Saturday was for light and variable winds in the morning, turning south and later east by mid afternoon. This turned out to be fairly accurate, with a light south easterly arriving just before the scheduled start time of 1.30pm for race 4. Fortunately, the new breeze had settled sufficiently for the race committee to get the fleet away on schedule, with a starting line in Taylors Bay and the windward marks in Rose Bay, and a course axis of 120 degrees.

The fleet got away cleanly at the first start but there were huge oscillations in the wind which made it very difficult for both competitors and race officials. Jeanne-Claude Strong scored her third win of the series form James Mayo and Matthew Ramaley. The overnight points leader, Colin Beashel, was 8th across the line.

The wind was still oscillating wildly for the start of Race 5, and there was every indication it wanted to go to the east but always seemed to go back to the south east. David Dunn in Great White Hunter won Race 5 from Andy Kearnan in Finesse and Peter Merrington and Steve Jarvin in First Tracks.

It was obvious towards the end of Race 5 that that the breeze had decided to go east and stay there, so the race management team had no option but to move the course for the final race of the day. They could not stay in Taylors Bay as it would have put the starboard end of the 300 metre starting line into the shipping channel. The fleet was already being closely watched by the authorities following an incident during Race 5 when five boats were reported for not keeping clear of the Manly ferry.

Race Officer Rob Ridley decided to move the course to Clarke Island where the line was reset for Race 6 with a course axis of 060 degrees. Colin Beashel won Race 6 from Mark Bradford and Matthew McCann.

The points leader after six races is James Mayo on 25 pts, Colin Beashel is second on 36 pts and Peter Merringtom and Steve Jarvin third on 37 pts. The final three races are scheduled for Sunday with a forecast for variable winds between 10 and 15 knots.

View day 2 Pointscore resuts here

View day 1 photos by Kylie Wilson here

Day 1, 15 January 2021 by Ian Kingsford Smith

The wind forecast for the day, in which three races were scheduled, was not encouraging for the race management team headed by Race Officer, Rob Ridley. The forecast was for light variable breezes of 5 knots or less from the south and east with nothing really consistent in strength or direction due until mid-afternoon. Nevertheless, Rob and his team left the dock about midday for a scheduled 1330hrs warning signal and shortly after arriving off Clarke Island, a promising 6-8 knot east-north-easterly developed.

A fleet of 31 Etchells had entered the championship arranged by the Sydney Etchells Fleet to replace the Australian Championship which had been cancelled due to the lockdowns and restrictions due to the Covid pandemic. Boats from the Gosford, Lake Macquarie and Pittwater fleets added to the large contingent of Sydney fleet Etchells. It was also encouraging for the future of the class to see a number of youth teams competing.

A starting line was laid off Clarke Island with the windward marks off Steele Point. Race 1 was started with a course axis of 055 degrees on schedule at 1330hrs, and the full fleet of 31 Etchells got away cleanly in the first start in an 8-10 knot ENE breeze. Jeanne-Claude Strong sailing Flying High won the first heat comfortably from Colin Beashel in Havoc and James Mayo in Magpie.

The same course was set for Race 2 except that the wind had increased to 10-12 knots. In the last seconds before the start, Rob Ridley signalled a late postponement due to a sudden wind shift. The restart of the race resulted in a general recall, and at the third attempt, the fleet eventually got away cleanly under a black flag. Jeanne-Claude Strong and Colin Beashel repeated their first race placings with firsts and seconds respectively, while Peter Merrington and Steve Jarvin in First Tracks took third place.

The wind had moved a little further left for Race 3 and had also strengthened and the course axis was swung to 040 degrees. There were a couple of minor delays to the start, firstly to allow an outbound Manly ferry to clear the course and then a wind shift. The race finally started in 15 knots and the youth team of Matthew Stenta sailing Community Transmission won from Peter Gardner in Vincero and Mark Bradford in Pie.

At the end of the first day’s racing, Colin Beashel leads the series on 9 pts, from Jeanne-Claude Strong on 11 pts and James Mayo on 14 pts. Three races are scheduled on Saturday and a further three on Sunday.

View full results from Day 1 here

It's a glorious day on Sydney Harbour and 31 boats are enjoying a close contest. 

Jeanne-Claude Strong pipped Colin Beashel to win races one and two. Matthew Stenta took race 3. 

Day 1

Race 1

1        EAUS1475    Flying High    JC Strong    RSYS    
2        EAUS1487    Havoc    Colin Beashel    RSYS    
3        EAUS1486    Magpie    James Mayo    RSYS

full results here

Race 2 

1        EAUS1475    Flying High    JC Strong    RSYS    
2        EAUS1487    Havoc        Colin Beashel    RSYS    
3        EAUS1485    First Tracks    P.Merrington S.Jarvin    CYCA

results here

Race 3 

1         EAUS1401     Community Transmission     Matthew Stenta     RSYS

2         EAUS1343     Vincero     Peter Gardner     RSYS

3         EAUS947       Pie     Mark Bradford     RSYS

results here 

Photo credt Kylie Wilson, Positive Image

Our popular twilight regatta will run 1 – 5 February 2021, out of RSYS. 

There will be one race each evening, with a warning signal at 1745hrs.

Notice of Race 
Enter online here (coming soon)
Entries close at 1700hrs Friday 29 January 2021.
Sailing Instructions will be published on 26 January.

Competitors can now view the Notice of Race and submit their entries for the 2021 Etchells Sydney Summer Championship to be hosted by the Etchells Sydney Fleet and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

Entries close at 1700hrs on Thursday 14 January and the regatta runs from 15 - 17 January.

Click here for NOR and online entries

Save the date!

RSYS and the Etchells Sydney Fleet will conduct an Etchells Summer Championship for the Eaton Cup to replace the Australian Championship that was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

This regatta will be a nine race series held over three days from 15-17 January.  
Results for Saturday 16 January will be included in the Mini Regatta 2020-21 pointscore.

The Notice of Race and online entry form will be available on Thursday. 

Dear Etchells sailor,

Due to the recent COVID outbreak and the subsequent responses from the NSW and other state governments, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020-21 Etchells National Championship.

Since the rescheduling of the Nationals from Perth in November to Sydney, our principal aim has been to safeguard the integrity of the event by ensuring the regatta would be held with the opportunity for sailors from all of our National fleets to compete.  Sadly with travel restrictions, this is not possible or reasonable.

While we have been tempted by the positive signs in recent days to ‘hang on’ and delay our decision, the feedback from many of you has been that you would prefer certainty.  Equally, for our volunteers, the team at RSYS and the organising committee; some level of clarity is reasonably required.

In terms of ‘where to from here’, we will work with all parties to set a new date for our Nationals in the new year. In the meantime, we will issue refunds for entry fees.

We also flagged in the NOR and entry documents, that in the event that we needed to cancel or postpone the Nationals, we would host an alternate local regatta.  I am pleased to confirm that we will hold a 3 day, 9 race series 15-17 January, 2021. Entry fee and NOR will be issued in the week commencing 4 January.

Please also note we intend to issue the NOR for the Milsons Silver Goblets in the week commencing 4 January. Just a reminder that the regatta dates are 1-5 February.

The Sydney Fleet would like to wish you a safe and happy Christmas and thank you for your enthusiastic support. I am as disappointed, as you no doubt are, but I look forward to seeing you all on the race track in early 2021.

Kind regards

Mike Tyquin

Sydney Etchells – Fleet Captain

Welcome

RSYS invites participants in the Etchells 2021 National Championships from reciprocal clubs to apply to the Hardstand and crane facilities in the lead up to the event.

Hardstand access for temporary storage of your vessel and trailer will be available from 28 December subject to availability. In accordance with the Notice of Race, vessels will have to launch and berth from 9 January 2021. Trailers will then need to be moved to Milson Park.

The flat rate of $200 includes access to the Mast and Jib Cranes and the induction by staff to use these.

Application

Please complete and submit the form here and then send the required documents to
Louise Alves This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: +61 2 9017 0161 Fax: +61 2 9955 1952

Please note:

This is an application only. There is no storage without confirmation in writing from RSYS. There will no confirmation without prior payment and receipt of the application documents.
Car park access is strictly RSYS Members only on 8,9 and 10 January and subject to availability at other times. Don’t plan on parking at the Club.
RSYS does not supply slings.
Storage of vessels and use of the facilities are at your own risk.
Letter of Introduction is necessary for RSYS Temporary Membership and access to the premises outside of competition.

Thank you,
Will Pettigrew
CEO RSYS

Complete & submit the application form here

We are delighted to announce that Rob Brown will support the Corinthian teams at the Nationals. Rob is putting together a great program to ensure Corinthian teams get the most out of the week.

We will hold a coaching day for Corinthian teams on Saturday 9 January, and offer support across the official practice day on 10 January and the first day of competition on 11 January. Rob will provide on and off water support following the model that was very successful at the 2020 Nationals in Melbourne in January.

Photo Kylie Wilson

Entries are rolling in for the Nationals 9-14 January 2021.

You can enter at this link www.rsys.com.au/etchells2021

(including submitting all your regatta docs: measurement certification, Cat 7 and insurance.)

We are expecting 40+ boats and have a great 11 race program supported by Corinthian Team coaching, as well as a welcome function, a Fleet Forum to discuss class issues, and daily prize givings.

Don’t delay as entries close this Friday 18 December.

Enter today! 
Mike Tyquin Sydney Fleet Captain

Photo by Kylie Wilson at the One Design Sprints at RSYS, 19 November. 

You're invited to compete in the Australian Championship to be hosted at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron from 9 - 14 January 2021 
 
Online Entry via RSYS
Notice of Race

In this incredible year that we are all living through, we are very much looking forward to closing our 2020 and welcoming 2021 and hosting you at the Australian Championship to be sailed out of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on Sydney Harbour. This will be the first time that the Sydney Fleet has hosted the Nationals since 2005.

The IECAA, Sydney Fleet and RSYS have given significant consideration to the appropriateness of hosting this event and specific preparation that will be required given the ongoing impacts of COVID 19 and likelihood of continuing government and other guidelines and requirements for public events such as large regattas.

We are delighted to issue the NOR and do hope that you can join us and wish to share with you some important information about the regatta.

National Championship status - we are conscious of the prospect of border restrictions and to that end will maintain a watch on this to ensure that a genuine National Championship can occur. In the unfortunate even that a "Nationals" cannot occur, it is the Sydney Fleet’s plan to conduct a regatta during the regatta window in any event however refunds will be provided to those that cannot travel or compete.

COVID Plans - for those sailors that do enter, you will be required to comply with all directives of the Organising Authority and these will be published as appropriate closer to the regatta timing.

Race format - to ensure we deliver a great regatta with maximum value, racing will be conducted on Sydney Harbour and and 11 race program is scheduled. We are also looking at providing a variable scheduled start time each day to optimise the weather window.

Corinthian Coaching - as was successfully introduced for the 2020 nationals, a Corinthian teams will be supported by a coach providing daily briefing and reviews.

Fleet forum - the IECAA will host a Fleet Forum to openly discuss Etchells issues and opportunities to further strengthen our class.

Transport and storage - as you all know RSYS has very limited boat and trailer storage. If you plan to arrive before 9 January please contact the RSYS Waterfront Office (details in the NOR). Furthermore, there may be an option at the end of the regatta for interstate visitors to store their boat at RPAYC given that the NSW State Championship is set for February and you should contact Kylie Brown.

Charter boats - for interstate teams, the Sydney Fleet is working on availability of boats for charter. Please contact Mike Tyquin if you are interested.

You can access regatta information, the NOR and enter via RSYS.

We look forward to seeing you in January.

Good sailing. 

Mark Roberts - President, IECAA
Mike Tyquin - Fleet Captain, Sydney 
 

Boat owners: looking for crew?

We have new sailors on our database keen to sail Etchells.

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David Dunn, skipper of Great White Hunter 1483 writes, "It was a brilliant, sunny Sydney spring day that greeted the Sydney Etchells fleet last Saturday for the first race of the Club Championship. A solid N/NE of 14 knots built to 19/20 knots by late afternoon and an in-coming tide made for a classic race day. Our Race Officer Rob Ridley got the fleet away cleanly for the first beat off Clark Island up to the Western Channel mark.

The 'fight' to Bradleys Head, especially with an incoming tide, is a feature of all Etchells races in a NE breeze, and this one was no exception! The determination of the fleet to avoid the tide as well as take advantage of a northerly shift in the breeze ensured some close tacking, as the fleet worked its way up the Western shore. Great White Hunter led the fleet, closely followed by Michael Morris on Northern Havoc 1119, (with current Etchells World Champion Richie Allanson on board) and Peter Gardiner on Vincero 1343. Newcomer Matt Stenta in Great White 1401 is one of the three new Youth / Intermediate crews and he demonstrated some excellent and close yachting. It was also wonderful to have our past Commodore Richard Chapman at the helm of Synergy 1272 as well as current Vice Commodore Christian Brook on Umami, battling it out in tight racing, typical of the Etchells fleet.

Some challenging and exciting runs were had by all, especially as the breeze freshened to 19-20 knots. The fleet charged down from the Western Channel mark to the Darling Point mark under full spinnaker with numerous gybes to maximize tide effect and the pressure lines running down the Western shore. The final work up into Watsons Bay to the finish was keenly fought. There were many 'races within a race' for our competitors, as they jockeyed for final positions. Racing concluded with Great White Hunter taking the honours from Northern Havoc, and Vincero coming third.

The day finished with many weary crews reliving the day's action in the Squadron bar, as is typical of the fleet camaraderie and bonhomie. It was a wonderful day's racing with Sydney Harbour at its best!"

View results here

Photos by John Jeremy

From the fleet Captain:

Thank you to everyone who participated in Thursday night's AGM, we had a great turnout and productive discussions. 

We discussed dates, and apologies for not having circulated the sailing calendar. 

>> download a PDF of the Etchells calendar here

Please the next article for important dates regarding safety inspections, sling inspections and compulsory skippers briefings.

I look forward to seeing you at our first race on 5 September.
 
Mike Tyquin

Important dates for your diary:

Skippers Briefing via Zoom
RSYS will conduct online briefings at 1800 hours on Thursday 27 August and Tuesday 1 September 2020.

It is compulsory for the skipper or the person in charge of each boat to attend one of the online briefings. Skippers or persons in charge must register prior to the briefing via one of the links below then log on at 1800 hrs on the night.

RSYS Skippers’ Briefing #1 – Thursday 27 August 2020
Registration Link

RSYS Skippers’ Briefing #2 – Tuesday 1 September 2020
Registration Link

Entries will not be accepted for any race or series conducted by RSYS without satisfactory evidence that a skipper or person in charge of that boat has attended the online briefing.  

Equipment Audits
at RSYS Saturday 22 & 29 August: 0900-1330 hrs

Sling Inspection for hardstand boats
Saturday 22 August (only) 0900-1200 hrs. 

Servicing of Inflatable life jackets
Your equipment audit requires that inflatable life jackets are checked annually by an approved servicing agent. If you choose to use Boatie Afloat (Matt Pyne); place your jackets in a bag with a completed service form.  Select this link to download a form. Leave the bag inside Wudyong House (Sailing Office). Contact Matt Pyne 0418 242 637 and let him know your jackets are ready for service. He will pick them up and drop them back when complete. The process takes approximately 7 days.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Thursday 13 August 8.00pm via video conference

The Agenda, 2019 AGM Minutes, 2019-2020 Fleet Captain's report and the link to the Zoom meeting have been emailed to Fleet Members. 

Please RSVP or forward any questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The One Design Ice Breaker regatta held by RSYS over the weekend 8 - 9 August attracted a fleet of 17 boats. 

After 6 races over the two days, Matt Crawford on Flirtation (EAUS1026) out of the RPAYC dominated. Congratulations. 

Flirtation (EAUS1026)    Matthew Crawford    RPAYC        
Flying High (EAUS1475)    JC Strong    RSYS
Havoc (EAUS1473)    Iain Murray    RSYS        
Umami (EAUS1250)    Matty Whitnall    RSYS 

View full results here

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron will run the inaugural RSYS One Design Ice Breaker Regatta on 8 & 9 August 2020.

It is open to all one design classes including Etchells, Dragon, Yngling, Elliott 7, J70, Melges 20 & 24, Farreast 28, Viper, Young 88 and VX One.

Six races will be held in each class over the two days.

Notice of Race and entries here
Download and share this flyer

Exciting news:- Due to COVID-19, the 2020/21 Etchells Worlds which were scheduled for November in Perth have been postponed by 12 months. As a result, the National Association has reorganised the season schedule and the Australian Championship will now take place in Sydney from 10-14 January 2021.

This is the first time the Sydney Fleet and RSYS have hosted the Nationals since 2005.

More details to follow.

At our AGM at the start of the season, we announced that steps had been taken to set up a Sydney Etchells Foundation, registered with the Australian Sports Foundation, to enable a Development program to be established.

The objective of the program is to introduce younger sailors (22-35yrs) to Etchells with a view to creating a pipeline of new owners and crews.

A Foundation to support the program (ie to raise funds and own assets) has been established and is a separate entity from the Incorporated Fleet. You can find documentation attached here regarding the operating approach.

Martin Hill and Rupert Henry have very generously donated boats, and David Dunn and Andrew Howe are in the process of donating their boat. Additionally, Nicole Shrimpton has made a generous cash donation to provide seed funding.

We are now in a position to formally get underway in terms of recruiting teams for the 2020/21 season, and to that end we are hosting a session on 20 May to introduce the program to suitable teams and start the recruitment process.

I do want to recognise Paul Thackray for navigating the various establishment requirements of the ASF and also James Mayo for the energy and focus he has brought in recent months, particularly working with our donors.

Most importantly, as we introduce new people to our fleet, it is important that they are welcomed and supported.

If you have any questions please feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

VIEW THE GUIDE FOR PARTICIPANTS HERE

Letter from RSYS Commodore David Ward.

17 March 2020

Coronavirus Precautions – Suspended Activities & Closures

Dear Members and friends in Sailing,
 
Your General Committee and the Squadron’s Senior Management team have been monitoring on a continuous basis the growing implications of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our wider community and on our Club’s many activities and operations.

We are being guided by relevant Health Authorities, expert health input, senior management recommendations, as well as Member feedback. Our CEO William Pettigrew is in active dialogue with his counterparts at various major clubs and peak bodies, locally, interstate and overseas, as well as the NSW Department of Health.

We continue to assess the risk in relation to all operations, activities and events at the Club, paying particular attention to threats of transmission and the heightened vulnerability of our demographic membership base. As a consequence of this risk assessment, Members are advised that the following actions are effective immediately:

1. All organised sailing and training activity for the season has been cancelled. See below for details.
2. The Dining Room and Main Bar will remain open for lunch and dinner with bookings and table sizes limited to ensure appropriate distances.
3. The Careening Cove Anchorage (CCA) will open for breakfast and lunch only (seven days), at a reduced capacity to a maximum of 100. No tables or groups larger than 6. Members must book prior to arrival, no “walk-ins” will be admitted in any restaurant.
4. Forthcoming Squadron events are postponed e.g. Wine tastings, Wine Dinner, Book Club, Cruising Division, Literary Lunch, Friday Twilight Presentation Dinner.
5. All Bridge activity at the Club has been suspended until further notice. This suspension includes all regular weekly sessions, social play, John Roberts lessons and the Stepping Stone House Bridge Day.
6. The Club will not be hosting large functions before 1 May.
7. The Club has cancelled all Clubhouse room accommodation bookings up until 1 May.
8. Conference rooms are available with revised attendance capacities.
9. Until further notice, the tender service and the repair service will operate as usual.

The NSW Health Infectious Disease Department has reviewed these measures and agreed that they are appropriate, responsible and well-considered given the current state, though acknowledges that circumstances can change rapidly.

Ultimately, our concern is for the health and wellbeing of everyone associated with our Club and this is the basis for these decisions. Other Squadron activities, events and operations will continue to be assessed, and we will keep you informed of further changes as the situation evolves.

The CEO and his senior management team have already taken a number of initiatives across the Club, particularly in terms of heightened hygiene, cleaning and food preparation.

We ask all Members to continue to practise good hygiene to protect against infections and

require that you not attend the club at all if:

• you or anyone in your immediate family and work colleagues has COVID-19
• you or anyone in your immediate family and work colleagues has been in contact with a known COVID-19 patient
• you or anyone in your immediate family and work colleagues is in voluntary isolation, say as a recent overseas returnee
• anyone has a cold or cold-like symptoms.

We are grateful to all Members, staff and experts for their guidance and co-operation. As COVID-19 continues to impact the lives of people everywhere, we seek your understanding and know that you share our concerns, given these trying times. We are a Club first and foremost - a Club having at our core the care of our Members, your guests, and our staff. 

We will share additional information as soon as it becomes available. Updates will also be posted to the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron website www.rsys.com.au, with a link to a regularly updated document providing Members with the latest information and updates about Club activities and the General Committee’s thinking and decisions.

We appreciate your patience as we make every effort to continue to assess the situation and communicate effectively and efficiently.

Warm regards,

David Ward
Commodore

Sailing to be cancelled:

• Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday Youth Dinghy Sailing activities
• PONANT Friday Twilight
• All Saturday racing (Summer Series, Mini A's, Mini B's, Varuna Trophy race)
• Sunday Twilight
• Stepping Stone House Regatta
• RSYS Annual Cruise
• All RSYS Sailing Academy courses including: 
  • Sunday Tackers 1, 2 & 3
  • Sunday Keelboat Start Crewing, Start Helming, Start Skippering, Spinnakers
  • Wednesday LOTS Keelboat Start Crewing, Start Helming, Start Skippering, Spinnakers.

A decision on the Combined Clubs Winter Series will be advised closer to the time.

Included in our calendar but not run by RSYS:

• RPEYC Wednesday afternoon racing
• SOPS racing on March 21 that is being run by MHYC

Skippers should refer to these clubs regarding details.

Congrats Iain MURRAY, Richard ALLANSON, Colin BEASHEL on Havoc 1473. And cheers also to Jeanne-Claude STRONG, Kate DEVEREUX, Seve JARVIN, Troy TINDAL of Flying High 1475 on coming 7th in the fleet of 25.

Results at http://bit.ly/33n6DTn

Photos at https://www.facebook.com/EtchellsSydney/

Congratulations to Graeme Taylor, James Mayo and Jake Lilley of Magpie who won the NSW State Championship held at Lake Macquarie from 20-23 February.

They dominated and secured the win with a race to spare.

Magpie are on a roll: taking the 2019 Milson Silver Goblets and the 2020 Nationals. Next week they will defend their 2019 VIC States title.

Congratulations also to Iain Murray’s Havoc and JC Strong’s Flying High for winning 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the fleet of 25.

View full results here  

NSW State Championship
20 - 23 February 
 
The Lake Macquarie Etchells fleet is looking forward to welcoming you to sail on the tranquil lake. Registration and weigh-in on Thursday 20th, with three days of racing, Friday to Sunday.
Online Entry Open
Notice of Race
 

VIC State Championship
6 - 9 March 2020.

Sail on the long weekend in Melbourne at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, hosts for the VIC States.

Information here

The final race on Friday 22 November was abandoned when a storm hit Sydney Harbour. Therefore the final results from the previous day stood: Graeme Taylor with Ben Lamb and James Mayo on Magpie came 1st overall; 2nd Havoc with Iain Murray, Colin Beashel and Richie Allanson; with Jeanne-Claude Strong's Flying High in 3rd in a fleet of 17. 

The Corinthian trophy was won by Matt Whitnall's Synergy. 

Congratulations all!
 

Sailing has been very tight across the challenging first days of the regatta, with less than 5 minutes between first and last in these hour long races and places often decided by the narrowest of margins. “There are no slouches in this fleet,” quipped one skipper.

Day 1 featured a strong nor'easterly and was won by current World Champion Iain Murray and his crew from the Worlds on EAUS1473 Havoc. On day 2, in a fading breeze, the race was won by Graeme Taylor on EAUS1474 Magpie. Looking at the pointscore at the conclusion of day 2 Graeme Taylor has a narrow lead of just one point from Iain Murray with Jeanne-Claude Strong on EAUS1475 Flying High placed third.

Goblets continues every night this week, concluding on Friday.

View the latest results here.

Photo by Kylie Wilson

We currently have good fleet entered including our two past World Champions and a few more entries on the way, so as usual great racing expected. Entries are open until Friday and casual entries will also be accepted for individual races to encourage more boats to join the fleet over the week.
>> NOR, SI & Entries here

A few notes in advance of the week:

Entry, Launching and haul out
To encourage more entries we don’t require Class membership - note this is not a sanctioned event - however Class rules regarding weight limits and sail use are required to be complied with as per the NOR and SIs.

Please do note that boats entering for the series are required to be afloat by 1700hrs on Monday 18 November and are not be hauled out during the regatta and be located at RSYS except with written permission of the RC.

Corinthian trophy - Kopsen Trophy
Last year we introduced a Corinthian category and this year Corinthian teams will be racing for the Kopsen Trophy. The Kopsen family has had a long association with the Etchells Fleet with Bill being one of our most prominent members during the 1980s and 90s.

Please note that eligibility is as per World Sailing Sailor Classification Code and to be eligible, all skippers and crews for all races must meet the criteria as a Group 1 competitor. To nominate as a Corinthian entry, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We understand that being a mid-week regatta, crew changes can and do happen at short notice, so it is the obligation of the skipper to withdraw their Corinthian entry in the event that any World Sailing Category 3 sailors do sail on a boat during the regatta.

Prizegiving
As is the custom, a post-race snack will be provided each day in the CCA bar. On Friday night a short prizegiving will be held post racing with drinks to follow at the Rooftop bar. 

I look forward to seeing you on the water. 

Mike Tyquin
 

The Sydney Etchells fleet is once again looking forward to hosting one of the marquee events on the annual Australian Etchells racing calendar from 18 to 22 November. On offer will be the historic Milson Silver Goblets.

Hosted by RSYS, the event comprises five twilight races, against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Competitors enjoy exceptional summer sailing conditions and the midweek reduced water traffic. 

The previous regatta was won by David Edwards' Iron Lotus: L to R Greg O'Shea (trim), Rupert Henry (Helm), Dave Edwards (main) Josh Chant.

25 entries are expected with the typical high standard of racing that the Etchells class provides, especially in the Sydney Fleet. The regatta will conclude with a prize giving dinner on Friday evening after racing.

Entries are open and the Notice of Race and Entry Forms are available via the RSYS website here
For more information, please contact the Fleet Captain Mike Tyquin or call 0422 381 151.