Thursday Snippets 10th of May

By admin | Published: May 10, 2012

Albert Sailing Club’s winter season is well underway. Our main Winter Series commences on saturday 19 May with Winter Series 1. New winter members and visitors are as always most welcome. On saturday 12 May we have Autumn Series 3, with again a series of short races sarting at 2pm with the Information Session at 1.15pm. There will again be a Better Sailing session open to all starting at 10am in the clubhouse. Also a number of junior ‘green fleet’ programs in the morning with the ASC group down to arrive at 10.15 for a 10.30 kickoff. The galley will be open at lunchtime, with a mug of the popular winter soup again on the menu.

The weather forecast for the weekend is for a real burst of winter weather. So be prepared !
Saturday forecast
Few Showers.
Min 9 Max 15
Westerly 15 to 20 knots increasing to 20 to 25 knots during the morning then increasing to 20 to 30 knots during the afternoon.

On saturday 12 May Autumn Series 2 was sailed under grey skies, with rain till early afternoon. Racing started on time at 2pm in drifting conditions, but built to 5 knots with a few higher gusts. There was a good fleet given the conditions and the race crew did well to have 3 short races completed. After the sausage sizzle we had our club’s Annual General Meeting. Commodore and Treasurer Reports were tabled, followed by elections for committee. It was good to see some new committee members elected. The committee is due to have its first meeting on tuesday 15th May in our clubrooms at 7.30pm.

Rod Thomas

Commodore

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Thursday Snippets 3rd of May

By admin | Published: May 3, 2012

Albert Sailing Club’s winter season commenced last Saturday with our first short series of short course racing. We got three races in for most class and the Optimists got four races in. We will be running short course races for the next two weeks. We had a number of races with competitors only a few boat lengths apart.

Weather
Saturday: West to southwesterly 10 to 15 knots tending south to southwesterly during the afternoon. Local morning fog. Partly cloudy with isolated showers mainly during the afternoon. 17°
Sunday: South to southwesterly 10 to 15 knots. Partly cloudy. Isolated showers, mainly over southeastern suburbs. 17°

Once again the junior ‘green fleet’ sailing will be running for a number of groups in the morning. The ASC junior green fleet sailing will commence at 10am, with Ted Zammit and Owen McMahon coaching and the assistance of parents of participating juniors. This program will run weekly until mid June. We are expecting visiting winter members and visitors to start arriving during the morning and early afternoon. There will be a registration desk upstairs, and plenty of activity processing winter membership forms and allocating boat racks. Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club will also be running their Optimist program for there Team Sorrento sailors. If that isn’t enough options the Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Association will also be running a training program during the morning.

Race Officer: Ian Skinner
Crew: Arthur MIsson, Paul Leitinger, Barry Warnes, Rob Grey

After the training and racing this Saturday (5th May) is the club’s Annual General Meeting at 6pm. There will be a sausage sizzle after racing and before the AGM. The notice of AGM and committee nomination forms were distributed with the recent Mudpuddler Newsletter. The main business of the meeting will be to receive annual reports and to elect the ASC General Committee for 2012 – 13. We need people to take on committee and non-committee roles for 2012 – 2013. Speak to a current flag officer about how you can help in the running of our club for the upcoming year.

Also on saturday 5th May we have a 5 week Better Sailing program commencing. This will run from 10am to 12 noon each week. Don McKenzie and Luke Tupper and some other experienced club membes will be providing coaching. The format will be some theory, followed by an hour or so on the water, then derig and wrapup. Different topic each week including : Sailing upwind, Sailing Downwind, Tacking/Gybing, Sailing a Race. No obligation to sail each week, but most weeks advisable for continuity. The program is directed at improving skills and is suitable for people who have progressed from a Learn to sail program and people who sail in club races and want to improve their skills, We also have Try Sailing afternoons on sunday 29th April and sunday 6th May for invited families from local suburbs. The club will be open from 12.30pm to 4pm on each of these days, for members interested in coming down for a casual sail.

Rod Thomas

Commodore

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Thursday Snippets 26th of April

By admin | Published: April 26, 2012

Albert Sailing Club’s winter season commences on saturday 28 April, with Autumn Series 1. For the Autumn series club racing will consist of several short course races each week, The start for Division 1 will be at 2pm with the Information Session in our upstairs clubrooms from 1.45pm. Race Pfficer for the day is Gary Todd. There will be junior ‘green fleet’ sailing for a number of groups in the morning. The ASC junior green fleet sailing will commence at 10am, with Ted Zammit and Owen McMahon coaching and the assistance of parents of participating juniors. This program will run weekly until mid June. We are expecting visiting winter members and visitors to start arriving during the morning and early afternoon. There will be a registration desk upstairs, and plenty of activity processing winter membership forms and allocating boat racks.

On saturday 5th May there is Autumn Series 2 from 2pm and the club’s Annual General Meeting at 6pm. There will be a sausage sizzle after racing and before the AGM. The notice of AGM and committee nomination forms were distributed with the recent Mudpuddler Newsletter, The main business of the meeting will be to receive annual reports and to elect the ASC General Committee for 2012 – 13. We need people to take on committee and non-committee roles for 2012 – 2013. Speak to a current flag officer about how you can help in the running of our club for the upcoming year.

Also on saturday 5th May we have a 5 week Better Sailing program commencing. This will run from 10am to 12 noon each week. Don McKenzie and Luke Tupper and some other experienced club membes will be providing coaching. From 10 am to 12 noon from saturday 5th May. The format will be some theory, followed by an hour or so on the water, then derig and wrapup. Different topic each week including : Sailing upwind, Sailing Downwind, Tacking/Gybing, Sailing a Race. No obligation to sail each week, but most weeks advisable for continuity. The program is directed at improving skills and is suitable for people who have progressed from a Learn to sail program and people who sail in club races and want to improve their skills, We also have Try Sailing afternoons on sunday 29th April and sunday 6th May for invited families from local suburbs. The club will be open from 12.30pm to 4pm on each of these days, for members interested in coming down for a casual sail.

The club had an enjoyable Annual Presentation and Social Evening on saturday 21st April. Congratulations to trophy winners, and thanks to those who organised the evening. A report will be provided in the June Mudpuddler Newsletter.

Rod Thomas

Commodore

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Thursday Snippets 19th of April

By admin | Published: April 19, 2012
On Saturday 21st our club racing will consist of several short course races starting for Division 1 at 2pm with the Information Session at 1.45pm. In the morning six schools will be out in the Northern Basin of the Lake, in front of ASC and Boatshed, competing in an elimination series for the Australian Schools Teams Racing championships in July. From 6pm we have our annual Trophy presentation and social night.
 
The good autumn weather conditions are expected to continue on the weekend, and with the finish of the athletics season parking near the club should be plentiful. BOM forecast for Saturday 21 April   Temperature Max : 26 Variable wind to 10 knots tending north to northeasterly 10 to 15 knots during the morning. We thus look forward to another good fleet sailing across the day.
 
On tuesday the 17th the ASC General Committee had its April meeting. Many items were discussed including : parking arrangements on days of major acitivty at Lakeside Stadium; Hall Hire fees; ; club’s financials for 2011/12 year; midweek arrangements with SEDA groups; club cleaner arrangements. Training activities for May and June, leading up to our club regatta at the end of June, have been mapped out and are being finalised. We are planning to conduct a 5 week Better Sailing Program for newer members and those who want to improve their sailing skills, commencing on saturday mornings commencing on 5 May. Also junior ‘green fleet’ sailing each week from saturday 28 May. Details to follow in next week’s Thursday Snippets.
 
The club’s winter season commences on saturday 28 April. We can expect winter members and visitors to start arriving from the 28th. The club’s Annual General Meeting is at 6pm on Saturday 5th May. Please make a diary entry to attend. Committee and non-committee roles for 2012 – 2013 need to be filled. Speak to a current flag officer about how you can help in the running of our club for the upcoming year.
 
Rod Thomas
 
Commodore
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Thursday Snippets – 12th April

By admin | Published: April 13, 2012
Thursday Snippets
Back into sailing at Albert Sailing on saturday 14th with the Autumn Trophy Race, and good autumn weather conditions expected. With the end of daylight sailing, and the move back to AEST, club races now start at 2pm with the Information Session at 1.45pm. This weekend we also have the final (week eight) of our two summer Learn to Sail programs. Well done to the new members who have participated in these programs – we look forward to you continuing your sailing with us over coming months. Big thanks to our Instructors who have given of their time and experience to develop these groups.It will be a big weekend in the Albert Park Reserve. The Australian Athletics Championships are being held afternoon/early evening Friday to Sunday. The main events are from mid afternoon, and spectators have been encouraged to travel in by public transport. Our suggestion is that you arrive for sailing late morning or soon after midday. We encourage early ASC early  arrivers to park in the bays behind the sailing club, and we will try to provide restricted access to gravel areas next to club. If you arrive and find parking to be difficult, try stopping in loading zone at back of club, and come in and ask whether anyone can make room for you to park.

On saturday there is also a Masters Rowing Regatta on Albert Park Lake. This will not effect our car parking, but will restrict the area for sailors on the Lake till 1.30pm. Till 1.30 pm sailboats need to keep to basin to north of Mud Island and eastern side of Island. We expect to have access to full Lake for afternoon club races, with regatta due to finish at 1.20 pm
The Club’s annual Presentation and Social evening is on Saturday 21st April commencing at 6pm. It will have a middle eastern theme, and should be a good night for all members whether you have sailed Summer Series or not. Signup on the Presentation night booking sheet on the Galley servery at the club or send an email to our Vice Commodore John Whelan, with names of those attending.
For anyone interested in traditional tall sailing ships there will be two in Melbourne for the next couple of weeks. The Bark Endeavour (replica of Captain Cook’s 18th century boat), and Melbourne’s tall ship Enterprize will rendezvous off Williamstown early afternoon on Monday 16th. The Bark Endeavour is then open for inspection for 12 days in Melbourne Docklands from 18 April. Enterprize has a series of inspections and sails over the same period. Further information is available onwww.enterprize.org.au and www.endeavourvoyages.com.au
Rod Thomas
Commodore
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Thursday Snippets – 5th of April

By admin | Published: April 5, 2012
Welcome to Thursday Snippets
There will be no club  racing on Albert Park Lake over  the Easter long weekend break. We will be back into sailing on saturday 14th with the Autumn Trophy Race and then four weeks of short course racing. With the end of daylight sailing, and the move back to AEST, club races now start at 2pm with the Information Session at 1.45pm.

The Club’s annual Presentation and Social evening is on saturday 22nd April. It will have a middle eastern theme, and should be a good night. Signup on the Presentation night booking sheet on the Galley servery at the club or send an email to our Vice Commodore John Whelan, with names of those attending.

Happy Easter
Rod Thomas
Commodore
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Thursday Snippets 29th March

By admin | Published: March 30, 2012

This week we have race 7 of the Summer Series, which concludes the Summer racing. So far our summer series has been broken up by the Labour Day weekend and the Grand Prix.

Weather: Northerly 15 to 20 knots increasing to 20 to 30 knots around dawn. Winds shifting south to southwesterly up to 30 knots during the afternoon then becoming southerly 10 to 20 knots later in the evening. Partly cloudy. 29°

 

Race Officer: Luke Tupper

Race Crew: Steve Lincoln, Silke Schwartz, Simon Cassin, Tony O’Neil

Last week on Friday and Saturday we ran the Victorian Schools Team Racing Championship in conduction with APYC. Over 160 school students competed in the championship, 100 races were run with a really tight final series between teams. Mentone Grammar won the championship, with a 2-1 race win over Brighton Grammar. For all the results see the Victorian School Team Racing Championship website.

Next week (April 7th) the club will not be racing as it is the Easter long weekend break. After that we will be back into the swing of things with the Autumn Trophy Race and then four weeks of short course racing. This should put everyone in good standing for the Annual Regatta which will also feature short course racing.

Thanks

 

Luke Tupper

Acting Rear Commodore

 

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Thursday 15th of March

By admin | Published: March 15, 2012
The Albert Park Reserve will be closed for the Formula 1 Grand Prix from midnight on Monday 12th (midnight) to approximately12 noon Monday 19th March (12 noon). There will thus be no club racing or social sailing possible on the Lake during this period, other than for people who have registered for the low key Sailing Regatta on the sunday afternoon. The club’s program recommences with Twilight Sailing on Tuesday 20th at 6pm, followed by the March ASC committee meeting in the clubrooms from 8pm.

The next ASC Saturday club race will be on saturday 24th March, starting at 2.30pm. The Victorian Schools Teams Racing championships will be hosted by ASC and APYC on Albert Park Lake all day Friday 23rd from 8am and 8 am – 1pm on saturday 24th March. Around 30 schools are expected to participate with students in three boat teams sailing in a series of many short races of up to ten minutes. Racing will be in the northern basin of Albert Park Lake, making for great viewing of the action from the sailing clubs and the Boatshed. If you are coming down, travel by tram if possible. If by car, be careful to observe the midweek parking fee requirements. If you are able to help out on the Friday or Saturday, contact Luke Tupper (rearcommodore@albertsc.org.au).

On Saturday 10th March, the club had a working bee. Many tasks were able to be completed, including repairs and resurfacing of our upstairs external decking. Thanks to the members who came down to help out. There are still a few jobs to be completed, including removing growth and antifouling of our pontoon boat. Some date(s) for these will be programmed in April. If you can spare a saturday morning or a midweek day in April, please send an email to commodore@albertsc.org.au with details of your availability.

Rod Thomas
Commodore
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Thursday Snippets 8th of March

By admin | Published: March 8, 2012
Welcome to Thursday Snippets
On Saturday 10th March, the saturday of the Labour Day long weekend, there is no club racing. We do have an Autumn Working Bee at the club from 9.30am  . There is essential maintenance to be undertaken such as some repairs and resurfacing of the upstairs decking, and plenty of the regular quarterly required maintenance such as cleaning of windows, removing lots of cobwebs, leaves, etc. If you are in Melbourne on Saturday and have a few hours free, please come down and help us ‘spruce up’ the club buildings and equipment. A club race is not programmed, but sailing and possibly a scratch race from around 3pm is an option. For those sailing in class championships events or some leisurely recreational sailing away from Albert Park Lake over the coming week we wish you good sailing.

From Monday 12th (midnight) to Monday 19th March (12 noon) the Albert Park Lake Reserve, including Aughtie Drive will be closed to all vehicles and the general public for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. If you are returning your boat to the Lake at the end of the March long weekend you will need to deliver it back by midnight on Monday. Due to the lockdown there will be no tuesday night Twilight Sailing or club racing during this week.

On Sunday 18th March there will be a low key mini sailing regatta in the northern half of Albert Park Lake while the Grand Prix and pre-race entertainment are in progress. Around 40 boats from ASC, APYC, and the Boatshed are expected. The event is being organised by APYC and ASC, with assistance from the Boatshed. Late entries may be accepted up until 6pm on Friday 9th March by sending an email to commodore@albertsc.org.au

The next ASC club race will be on Saturday 24th March. The Victorian Schools Teams Racing championships will be hosted by ASC and APYC on Albert Park Lake all day Friday 23rd and 8 am – 1pm on saturday 24th March. Contact Luke Tupper if you are able to help out at this event.
Rod Thomas
Commodore
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Thursday 1st March

By admin | Published: March 1, 2012

Welcome to Thursday Snippets

On Saturday 3rd March we have Summer Series race 5 starting at 2.30pm, with briefing in the upstairs clubrooms at 1.45pm. The ASC Learn to Sail and Melbourne Boys Grammar School programs are being conducted in the morning. On Sunday 4th we have a social sailing day with the club open from 10am to 4pm – a good opportunity for members to have a non-racing sail on the Lake or make use of a club boat.

On Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd from 6pm each day the Melbourne Athletics Classic and Olympic Trials will be held at the Lakeside Athletics stadium. Given the late start time the event should not impact on parking for club members arriving for the saturday club race. The organisers have emailed with a Special Ticket offer for sailing club families and regular attendees: Tickets are usually $17.80 and $12.80 for adults and concession respectively. For people involved with ASC a specially discounted offer makes all tickets $10. To take up the offer you have to enter the code word ‘Athletics’ when booking on Ticketmaster.

The next ASC Mudpuddler Newsletter is being compiled. Contributions are needed by lunchtime on Sunday 4th March. Items can be forwarded to commodore@albertsc.org.au, from where they will be forwarded to our new acting Mudpuddler editor.

On saturday 10th March, the Saturday of the Labour Day long weekend, there is no club racing, but we have a club Working Bee from 9.30am. There is essential maintenance to be undertaken such as some repairs and resurfacing of the upstairs decking, and plenty of the regular quarterly required maintenance such as cleaning of windows, removing lots of cobwebs, leaves, etc. If you are in Melbourne on that Saturday, please mark this down in your diary and come down and help us ‘spruce up’ the club buildings and equipment. A club race is not programmed for that saturday, but sailing and a scratch race from around 3pm is an option.

From Monday 12th (midnight) to Monday 19th March (12 noon) the Albert Park Lake Reserve, including Aughtie Drive will be closed to all vehicles and the general public for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. If you are returning your boat to the Lake at the end of the March long weekend you will need to deliver it back by midnight on Monday. Please be aware that it may take some time to get in and out of the lake as the construction vehicles have priority.

On Sunday 18th March there will be a low key mini sailing regatta in the northern half of Albert Park Lake while the Grand Prix and pre-race entertainment are in progress. Around 40 boats from ASC, APYC, and the Boatshed are expected. The event is being organised by APYC and ASC, with assistance from the Boatshed. The 2 page notice of race and Entry Form has been released and is available online.

If you are a member of ASC or have sailed with us at ASC and want to participate complete the entry form and email bto commodore@albertsc.org.au by the end of Sunday 4th March. The Grand Prix corporation will provide to ASC general admittance tickets for each entrant to the sailing regatta for the F1 event at Albert Reserve for the sunday . These will be distributed by mail in the week before the event. This is a good opportunity to have a late afternoon sail and to see some of the events and activities on the main day of the F1 Grand Prix including historic and V8 supercar events, and on tack entertainment such as the Motocross Crusty Demons. Full details of the F1 event are on http://grandprix.com.au/news

The Victorian Schools Teams Racing Championshpips are to be hosted by ASC and APYC on Albert Park Lake all day Friday 23rd and 8 am – 1pm on Saturday 24th March. We are expecting over 30 teams (240 competitors) this year as we are attracting more schools to the competition. Contact Luke Tupper (rearcommodore@albertsc.org.au) if you are able to help out at this event.

The 2012 World Championships for the Etchellls class were completed in Sydney last saturday. It is pleasing to report that the winner was “Iron Lotus” skippered by Tom King (one of our best juniors from 1984 – 1991), with Owen McMahon, a current ASC member as crew. They won the regatta by 14 points, with John Bertrand, American Cup winning skipper, and Tom Slingsby, multiple world Laser champion third. Well done Tom and Owen.

Thanks

Rod Thomas
Commodore

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