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 The season opening of the Audi Winter Series – the annual Great Veterans Race and the Ladies Day Race were greeted with wild westerly winds. 50 yachts started in the Ladies Day, with 14 Veterans taking to the water.
Due to the wind increasing to over 30kts after thirty minutes of racing the course was shortened.
The Great Veterans Race was won by Nick Cassim’s Lolita, with Don Mickleborough’s Southerly second and Greg Maughan’s Syonara third.
“I’ve raced in every one of the Great Veterans race since their inception. It’s my fourth win and definitely the best one,” said Nick Cassim after the prize giving.
“After 45 years of ownership, Lolita’s never been better. I was pleased to see that there were three Robert Clark designed boats in the fleet … us, Caprice of Huon and Lass O’Luss. Good wooden boats can never die!” Nick said.
The Ladies Day race was one full of action and red ‘Freedom from MS Regatta’ shirts. A total of ten boats had guests on board who had made a donation to MS, with six of those guests having MS themselves.
For Vivienne MacMahon, winner of Non Spinnaker 1 Division on Marloo, today was just as thrilling as racing her Aston Martin.
“This was equally as exciting as driving my Aston Martin around Eastern Creek race track on Thursday!” said Vivienne.
“I discovered today that yachts don’t have traction control!”
Lulu Roseman, helming on Losel placed second in Non-spinnaker Division 1 with Debra Barker on Alpha Carinae third.
Tess Heiligers won Non-spinnaker Division 2 on Hubcap II, with Rachel Grant on Gusto second and Claire Chalmers on Hornblower third.
Paula Bertoli, helming Quetzalcoatl won Spinnaker Division 1.
“It was such an exhilarating experience especially being helmperson for such a tight professional Rolex Sydney Hobart crew. We won – I am stoked!” said Paula.
Second was Sue Crafer on The SubZero Goat, with Julia Owens on Celestial third.
In Spinnaker Division 2, Dawn Murray on Imagine won with Nella Moore on Velocity second and Becc Wyatt on Double Trouble third.
 Manly sailors scoop CHS with 13ft skiff
Manly 16ft Skiff Club’s Samantha Nugent and Josh McKnight sailing the 13ft skiff Entranced ran away with the major events at the CHS regatta at Belmont, Lake Macquarie in April with podium finishes in all races, both in their class, division and outright with one race to spare.
Josh McKnight is making a habit of this as he also won the Flying 11 National Championship in January at Eden with one race to spare.
They came away with five perpetual trophies, the Australian Championship, Australian Division 1, NSW Championship, NSW Division 1 and the 13ft skiff trophies.
Over 140 boats contested the annual regatta in an eclectic field ranging from moths, 16ft skiffs, through all the dinghy classes to a sailboard.
During the five days of the regatta the winds varied from light to the last day on Saturday when gusts up to 25 knots tested the fleet. However, Samantha and Josh recorded another win even though they had already clinched the Championship.
Olivia Price and Alex McFadyen won the 29er class and came second overall, with Scott Cotton third in a 16ft skiff.
Samantha who attends Stella Maris, comes from a sailing family. Her grandfather Bob Holmes was five times 18ft Skiff World Champion.
Josh from SCECGS Redlands plans on a sailing career having already competed in two Audi regattas. Through winter both of them will be extending their sailing skills as part of the CYCA’s Youth Development Program.
 There’s always a certain sadness when a sporting season ends, but at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Cadet section’s presentation night, there was an obvious aura of excitement!
So many young people have enjoyed the active and healthy life on the water that when the competitors, parents, supporters and organizers assembled at this function, the air was full of younger versions of ‘old salts tales’ as each related their experiences in the joys of sailing.
The top cadet was Nikola Dixon who was awarded the Ruth Plummer Perpetual Trophy as ‘The Cadet Whose Activities Embodied The Spirit Of Cadet Fellowship’ and, as the ‘Cadet Member Declared The Best For The Season’ was awarded the G.M. ‘Gar’ Vautier RAAF Memorial Trophy.
In Blue Division’s Aggregate for the season and as skipper of her International Cadet Dinghy Tempest, Nikola also won the E.J. Fairnie Perpetual Championship Cup while her crewmember, Nicola Armstrong was awarded the Gordon Jackson Perpetual Cup.
Together, Nikola Dixon and Nicola Armstrong on board Tempest were the Handicap Winners of the Special Combined Blue & Red Division Race Pre-Christmas, to win the Geoff ‘Soos’ Spedding Trophy and on Australia Day they were first in International Cadet Class, Corio Bay Championship, to win the W.L. Curtis Memorial Trophy.
Then on handicap for the season, the team of Nikola Dixon, Nicola Armstrong and Tempest won the RGYC Committee Trophy for second in Blue Division! Not to be outdone, crew member Nicola Armstrong took the helm of Tempest in the crews’ race and won the Perpetual Trophy! That Nikola Dixon and Nicola Armstrong aboard Tempest. really is some duo in International Cadet circles!
Other trophies were awarded to: Jessica Case and Charlie Friend and their boat Menace for First in Championship Red Division, the Margaret & David Wane Perpetual Trophy, First on Handicap for the RGYC Committee Trophy while Jessica won the Chairman’s Trophy being First in the Single Handed Race and the Heath Championship Perpetual Cup for winning the first Year Skipper’s Aggregate.
Bob Appleton.
 Wrecker does it again
Ron ‘The Wrecker’ Johnston – better known for his ‘crash and burn’ style of sailing 18ft skiffs – and crew of Karen Warburton and Sandor Tornai in Irene, pictured, have won the 2009 Australian Historical 10ft Skiff Championship.
The four race series was conducted over Easter by the Brisbane 18-footers Sailing Club from the Brisbane Sailing Squadron on Bulimba Point, with courses predominantly up and down the Hamilton and Colmslie Reaches of the Brisbane River.
Heat One was dominated by the Queensland boats Avro (Hugh Graveson) and Truant (Fred Palin), who both skipped out to an early lead with NSW contender Scamp II (Alan Robinson).
It was a close run home however, with Truant eventually getting past Avro to win in the dying stages, with Irene third.
Coming in to the final heat, only Avro could take the title from Irene, but she had to win the race to do so. The conditions weren’t helping, heavy rain neutralising what breeze there was.
Only Cornstalk (Russell Bampton) and Avro were within cooee of the line as the preparatory signal was made.
Eventually Commonwealth II (Rick Priestley) also joined these two and drifted rather than sailed downstream. Slowly but surely the fleet brought down a zephyr and caught the lead trio, with Merle (Peter Walsh) again showing superb light air skills sailing along the wharves and clear of the fleet.
Merle lead from Truant, Irene, Avro and Scamp II for the run back upstream to the shortened finish line. Avro cracked the big Etchells kite in a desperate attempt to make some ground, but it was too late with Merle taking the win by 1 min 40 sec from Irene, then Truant. Surprisingly in the light breeze four boats managed to capsize after the race, three on the ramp – to protect the innocent, their actual names have been suppressed.
The State Teams Trophy ended with both states on 127 points and both taking out a heat each, but NSW ended up winning the trophy on the results of the last heat.
Karen Warburton
 Mako Melges’ Australian Title
Sail Port Stephens played host to the second Melges 24 National Titles at Nelson Bay over the Anzac Day weekend with competitors from WA, Vic, Qld and NSW.
Two races were sailed on both Friday and Saturday while Sunday’s racing was abandoned due to the 40knot-plus westerly winds.
The Melges 24s truly lived up to the their reputation of exciting, tight one-design racing – four races, four different winners.
The regatta was there for the taking and it was lack of errors, composure and good consistent racing that won Geoff Masters Mako Melges, pictured, the 2009 title. Geoff’s crew consisted of son Matt, father/son combo David and Alex Lyons along with good friend and Middle Harbour Yacht Club Captain John McCuaig. Geoff’s cool head and one-design experience in both Sydney 38s and Melges 32s paid off.
“The pleasure of winning this regatta … racing with my son is fantastic,” said Geoff, recalling the last time he won a Nationals at Salamander Bay 30 years ago in 1979 in windsurfers.
Warrick Heath skippering Business Time RQYS along with crew Mark Moriarty and his sons Nicholas, Hugh and Max Creedy came second, an infringement with Heath Townsend What Tha GBYC possibly costing them the regatta.
All yachts competing bar one had families racing together with the youngest, 11-year-old Harley Walters, crewing with his uncle Murray and father Heath on No Comment RPAYC along with experienced yachtsman Rob Brewer and owner Mark Bernardinis were third overall.
 To celebrate the 50th birthday of its biggest exhibit HMAS Vampire, the Australian National Maritime Museum is hosting three nights of the ‘living dead’ with special cult vampire movies in June.
The museum will screen the three classic vampire films on the floating ‘aquashell’ with seating on its brand new outdoor performance space on the waters edge … with the city skyline and HMAS Vampire as the backdrop.
Blacula – Thursday 11 June at 7.30pm
This kitschy 1972 horror classic sees antique collectors buy the coffin of an African prince who was bitten by Dracula centuries before. They bring the coffin back to Los Angeles where they unwittingly unleash Blacula on the city. Rated M (15+).
The Lost Boys – Friday 12 June at 7.30pm
Starring Kiefer Sutherland and 1980s favourites Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, The Lost Boys (1987) follows two young Arizonians who move to California and end up fighting a gang of teenage vampires. Rated M (15+).
Twilight – Saturday 13 June at 7.30pm
Based on the bestselling book by Stephanie Meyer, this 2008 blockbuster was a hit at the box office earlier this year. Twilight is an action-packed, modern-day love story between a teenage girl and a vampire … the ultimate forbidden love affair. Rated M (15+).
BYO cushions/picnic rug. A refreshments stand will be open during the screening. Tickets $20 per person or $15 concession/member.
ANMM (02) 9298 3777; www.anmm.gov.au/specialevents.
BIA Victoria says no to ethanol
BIA Victoria has warned Victorian boat owners not to use ethanol fuels in their boats to avoid potentially costly damage to engines and fuel systems.
The warning comes after it was determined by government officials that the shelf life of ethanol fuel can be as little as two to three weeks.
With many boat owners not using their boats every weekend, the fuel can start separating and cause engine damage once it reaches its expiry date.
BIA General Manager Robert Coco said BIA Victoria was committed to alerting boat owners of the damage that ethanol fuel could do to boats that were not in regular use.
“Whilst many engines are fine with a 10% ethanol blend, the shelf life of ethanol puts boat motors in danger of damage,” he said.
“Boaters should check that the petrol they are using is ethanol free, by looking at the labels at service stations before filling up.
“Ethanol can eat into fibreglass fuel tanks and other parts of the fuel system, which in turn can lead to harmful deposits in the engine.”
Non-ethanol fuel is still readily available in Victoria, although not in New South Wales, which can be an issue for boaters on the Murray and other northern waterways.
Premium unleaded is the only ethanol-free fuel in NSW, which has prompted many marinas to stock only premium to avoid the risks associated with ethanol.
All pumps in Victoria that dispense ethanol blend petrol should have the percentage of ethanol in the petrol clearly displayed. If not, it can be reported by phoning 1800 803 772.
Crown Prince Frederik to compete in Sydney
His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Denmark will visit Sydney this October to compete at the world’s largest multi-sport event, the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games.
Crown Prince Frederik will attend the Opening Ceremony at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 11 October, and partner Sydney-based sailor Chris Meehan in the Tasar Sailing competition from 13-16 October.
25,000 athletes from over 100 countries are expected to take part in the Games an event that will provide a $50 million boost to the NSW economy. Prince Frederik joins other highprofi le competitors and ambassadors registered for the Games including Olympic legend Murray Rose, ABC Radio’s Adam Spencer and Fox Sports commentator and former footballer Andy Harper.
The Games are open to everyone, not just elite athletes and will see 28 sports competitions held across 72 Sydney venues, including many Olympic sites.
To enter the Games you need only meet their sport’s minimum age, which ranges between 25 and 35 years.
Games registrations are open until 31 July at www.2009worldmasters. Com
Will a biodegradable fishing sinker be the Next Big Thing?
A paper water bottle, a biodegradable fishing sinker, a multi-function boat mooring devise and a fingerprint lock are just some of the original innovations to make the 25 finalists of Innovic’s International Next Big Thing Award 2009.
 Envirotate is a biodegradable fishing sinker that is designed to spin on retrieval thus removing the twist in fishing line caused from casting and retrieving.
This helps in the reduction of discarded tangled fishing line left by fisherman on the environment which is a well-documented hazard. It also reduces the impact that discarded lead poses to the wildlife and environment.
 Wrino (Wright Innovation) is the world’s first multi-function boat mooring devise that works in combination with the boats mooring lines. Versatility allows most boat mooring functions from the safety of the boat.
Boat mooring is particularly dangerous during rain, strong wind and current when someone (often old or young) must hurriedly jump from an unstable rocking boat, over water onto a wet dock, to attach the mooring lines to dock cleats. Subsequently mooring accidents account for a substantial proportion of marine injury insurance claims.
Mooring from the boat with Wrino solves this with speed, safety and ease of use.
A special exhibition of the finalists’ innovations is being hosted by the Melbourne Museum until 12 July 2009 where the winners will be announced at an Award presentation ceremony on 2 July 2009.
The overall winner will receive $10,000 cash plus other prizes.
Spray Regatta
Spray owners and others interested in this olde worlde design with modern world capabilities are gathering at the Moreton Bay Boat Club, Scarborough, Queensland over the June long weekend (6-7th June) for the colourful and spectacular annual Regatta and the AGM of the Slocum Spray Society of Australia – formed to continue the adventuresome spirit of Joshua Slocum and to promote the Spray design as the ultimate cruising boat.
Anyone wishing to join in the Spray weekend should contact the Society’s President Barry Moore, on 07 3880 0444 or 0407 130862 for further details.
 South Australian club’s new marina
Port Adelaide, South Australia, is undergoing a period of growth and redevelopment. The local government plans to spend an estimated $1.5 billion to revitalize the area.
Marina West, which celebrated its grand opening in March, is Port Adelaide’s newest marina. The state-of-theart boating facility, developed and operated by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA), is an extension of the club’s existing complex on the coast at North Haven. Marina West adds 73 slips to the region and offers the state’s biggest berths.
The completed marina, designed and constructed by Bellingham Marine, positions Adelaide as a distinct player in the international boating arena.
Berths range in length from 11 to 35 metres. The marina features Bellingham’s Unifloat dock system with high freeboard and extra wide walkways.
“We have worked hard to ensure every aspect of the marina was completed to the highest standard,” said Craig Evans, CYCSA General Manager. “A lot of interest for the larger berths came from existing club members.”
The marina offers the latest in amenities and security. All slips are single berth with provisions for utilities, including metered power and metered potable water. The larger slips also feature reticulated sewer pumpouts.
Members can lease or sell their berths, as CYCSA owns not only the freehold of the land, but also that of the water. This ability offers boat owners much more flexibility and freedom, and makes Marina West unique among other marinas.
 David Cribb
A Man of Persistence and Passion
David Cribb, Chief Executive of the Commercial Vessels Association of NSW, suffered a massive heart attack on his morning walk on Friday 13th March 2009. He was rushed to hospital however died that afternoon.
David began with the Association on a very limited basis in 1998, with a deliberately narrow list of 10 Industry issues to focus on and an un-unified Industry.
In earlier times David had represented the Federal Trucking Association, and so knew only too well the challenges of dealing with, and gaining consensus from, a diverse group of Industry players. David was truly up to the challenge.
He pursued issues as diverse as Tourism, Marketing, Marine, Regulation and the Environment, also regional councils and Federal regulators as well as dealing with all the key local regulatory bodies including NSW Maritime, SHFA, and the various Ministries with which our Industry dealt.
David worked tirelessly for our Association. Indeed over time he seemed to gain momentum, expanding his role well beyond what we had asked for or what initially seemed reasonable given the amount the Industry could afford to pay him.
David brought to our Association a level of professionalism that as a group, we had never had before. For most of the time our Industry has existed we were seen generally, in particular by Government, as a disparate, dishevelled and difficult to manage ‘mob’.
David changed all that. He gained the ear and respect of the bureaucracy.
During the all too brief 11 years he was with us, David was instrumental in a great range of successes; including battles won with NSW Maritime over crewing, safety management, and survey consistency.
He secured our voice within the NMSC and was considered integral to the future organization of the group. He grew our voice and stature within Tourism NSW. He protected our interests in the Industrial relations arena, and fought successfully a range of battles with NSW Fisheries which had the potential to impoverish that part of our Industry.
But without doubt, David’s greatest achievements were in his representation of the vast majority of small operators that make up our Industry. For less than $200 a year, most of our members had an Industrial Relations advisor, a Regulatory Expert, and a free source of information and advice on just about any issue affecting our Industry. More still, David was deeply passionate about the small player’s plight, and would respond with the same gusto to all.
David was often a bull at a gate, but he would never allow his emotions to override the purity of his purpose. Things were always fought for the right reasons. Without fear or favour, David would take the point to whoever was responsible.
There are many men who like David are passionate about their views but most aren’t as rational as David. While he was dogged, determined and stubborn, he was also considerate, empathetic and understanding. He was a man of character, integrity and sincerity.
It was these qualities which endeared David to the government representatives with which he corresponded. There is enormous respect for David’s contribution to our Industry throughout Government circles – in particular NSW Maritime and the Ministry of Transport.
All who knew him displayed a sense of courtesy and respect towards him which revealed the importance they placed on David and his abilities and character. This had a wonderful flow-on effect to our Industry, something that wasn’t there before David came to us.
Anthony Haworth
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