NS14 Tasmanian News - 2013/2012
We have just finished what has been a busy season for our class inTasmania.
The highlight for the year was of course the 44th National Championship hosted by Port Dalrymple Yacht Club. With the Nationals only coming toTasmania once every six years this was a big event with planning and organisation over some two years required to ensure the event was conducted to the required standard. I would like to sincerely thank the members of the organising committee being Steven McElwee, Nick McElwee, Malcolm Stevens, Rob Moreton and Peter Sluce for their efforts to bring it all together (including many meetings!). I would also like to acknowledge the many volunteers from PDYC and also our sponsors. Unfortunately numbers were somewhat less than expected for a variety of reasons including disconnect within the NSW/National Associations resulting in minimal support and impetus from the major NS14 State. I expect this will be rectified for the next Nationals inAdelaide. On a positive note we saw some spectacular sailing in somewhat windy conditions, great effort and improvement from our younger crews and a financial surplus of $1,666. Congratulations to Katherine Davis in again being the leading Female Skipper and in teaming up with her brother Matthew to win the Youth Title.
This season the State Titles returned toSwanseafor the first time in 13 years for open water sailing at a neutral venue. Running the event without a Club base required additional planning and infrastructure but it all came together in the end. We must thank in particular the key on water volunteers and their boats in Peter and Rowan Bridley, James & Helen Andrewartha, and Coast Guard Freycinet. The weather wasn’t fantastic but this was made up for by the camaraderie and social activity including the Sunday night get together at the Bark Mill Tavern. Congratulations to Dennis Leitch who after many years teamed up with Ben Matters to take out the State Title. We have already received feedback on the event and future direction via our survey. The State Titles will be our major event next season and I would like everyone to provide input into the selection of venue and arrangements.
This season State Committee meetings were held on a regular basis via telephone link between the North and South. I would like to thank all committee members for their contributions during the season, in particular Peter Bridley for his continued enthusiasm and wise counsel and also Malcolm Stevens for providing his sailing secretarial expertise to our Class.
I believe our Association is in a healthy situation with 23 registered boats (out of a pool of around 30) across four clubs and a strong financial position. We are currently the biggest open age double hander class in the State (which I consider is a factor we can use in pursuing YT for support). However, we need to continue to promote our class and pursue new members to maintain our strength. Despite our relatively strong position we are a small group and I would ask all members to think about any contribution they can make for next season in helping to run and grow our class.
Greg Rowsell President
11 May 2013
The annual election of office bearers was a formality with each of the positions pre filled as follows:
President – Greg Rowsell
Vice President & LSC Rep – Dennis Leitch
Secretary – Malcolm Stevens
Registrar & Measurer – Peter Bridley
Treasurer & MPYC Rep – Darren Eggins
Publicity Officer – Scott Wilkie
PDYC Rep – Nic McElwee
TYC Rep – Peter Cameron
42nd NS14 Tasmanian Championships – March 9th, 10th & 11th
Congratulations to Dennis Leitch and Ben Matters in "Seabreeze" NS1994, 2013 State Champions
Boat Name & Number: Seabreeze 1994
Crew: Dennis Leitch and Ben Matters
Club: Lindisfarne Sailing Club
Hull: Tiger
Rig: CST carbon fibre mast and boom. Barracouta sails.
Combined crew weight: 137kg
Years sailed together: 6 months
What was your goal for this series: To do the best we possibly could.
Who else impressed you during the series? Kathryn and Matthew Davis in Fast Asleep. Michael Meyer and Issy Cameron in Wanderer.
What was your preparation leading up to the series? After the windy National Championships at Beauty Point, just a couple of club races to sharpen up and keep focussed.
What was the highlight of the series for you? Close tactical racing.
What things do you feel you have improved upon? Taking advantage of combination crew weight and sailing flatter and faster up wind.
What do you think was the difference between you and the boats behind you? The right combination crew weight.
Plans next season? Same.
Have you any thoughts on the series or the class? There is renewed enthusiasm amongst the sailors, with experienced newcomers and improving youngsters, which all leads to more boats racing.
What advice would you give to other sailors? To less experienced sailors - jump in your boat on the lawn, gybe 50 times then tack 50 times. Then get out on the water and do the same.
Who would you like to thank? The President Greg Rowsell and committee for the planning. Peter and Rowan Bridley in the start boat for conducting the races.
The 2013 State Titles saw the class return to Swansea on Tasmania’s East Coast for the first time in 13 years. This venue does not involve a yacht club so the Association had to arrange the necessary infrastructure from scratch including committee and support boats, shore facility and personnel. This all came together relatively smoothly with the trade-off being fantastic sailing conditions on Great Oyster Bay overlooking the iconic Freycinet Peninsula. The Titles were held over three days over the March long weekend.
Congratulations to Dennis Leitch who after many near misses at the States, teamed up with Ben Matters in “Seabreeze” to take out their first State Title. Second overall were Kathryn & Matthew Davis sailing “Fast Asleep”, who also repeated their effort from the Nationals to take out the Youth Title with Kathryn also again being crowned leading female skipper. Third and fourth overall respectively went to Peter & Karen Davis in ‘Spinifex” and Greg Rowsell & Ryan Moreton in ‘Arctic”. There were some very close tussles throughout the fleet and in particular with the first four boats with positions changing during the races and seconds separating many finishes.
The overall handicap result went to Michael Meyer and Issy Cameron in “Wanderer”. This young crew sailed very well to also finish runner up in the Youth Title. Michael also performed very well in the Nationals and it is pleasing to see such great youth talent in the class at present.
The veteran boat trophy went to Stewart Gray and Kirsty Skinner in “Dnager Moose” an Aero 9 in their first ever sail in an NS14. Although this was the oldest boat in the fleet it sported an impressive set of brand new North sails made by Stewart himself in his North loft in Hobart. This crew has extensive international experience (have a look at their website) and we very much look forward to their ongoing involvement with the class.
The highlights of the weekend were the open water sailing on Great Oyster Bay, the number of young sailors, the camaraderie around the rigging area and post-race refreshment tent, and also the big turnout on Sunday night at the Bark Mill Tavern.
On behalf of all competitors we would like to thank our supporters and on water helpers:
Swansea Motor Inn
Bark Mill Tavern
North Sails/42 Degrees South Marine
Rowan Bridley and “BoneCrusher” – committee boat
James & Helen Andrewartha and their boat – mark boat
Coast Guard Freycinet – mark and safety patrol (it was comforting to have those guys there)
PDYC & LSC
We would also like to thank in particular, committee members Peter Bridley for acting as Race Officer and providing expert assistance with the organisation and also Malcolm Stevens for his work with the organisation and logistics and Barb Rowsell for her shore control work and organising the post-race refreshments.
Greg Rowsell
President NS14 Association of Tasmania.
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