Gosford Nationals
We all had a fantastic time at the Gosford Nationals. The club and the volunteers did a great job and ran a very professional regatta. All the F18 sailors would like to thank James Ogilvie who put in so much effort to make the event so successful. Thanks to Kyle who sorted out finances and paperwork and to Grantly who got sponsors prizes from Zhik and Harken. We had 33 F18s and 12 F16s and the racing was awesome.
Next nationals
We held the AGM at the regatta and next seasons Nationals will be held as part of Magnetic Island Race Week from the 2 – 6 September 2011. Check out the regatta website for more info www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au Next season it is Queensland's turn to host the nations. We have a large fleet on F18s in Far North Queensland and they suggested that it would be good to be part of a big sailing event. This will help raise the profile of the class and should be a lot of fun. Normally the F18 nationals are held near the Australia Day but this time of year is not practical up north because of stingers and cyclones.
Oceanic F18s Championships
There is a proposal to hold an Oceanic F18 Championship in the Cook Islands in 2012. The Cook Island tourist bureau are keen to sponsor the event with shipping and cheaper accommodation. They even want to sponsor our local NSW travellers series. The Australian F18 association support the idea but are looking for an expression of interest from sailors before any planning takes place. Would you like to take your boat to the Cook Islands in 2012? I certainly would love to go. The info is on our website www.ausf18.org.au Please contact James Ogilvie if you are interested or have any questions. james.ogilvie@performancepro.com.au
Pulbah Island Marathon
This Saturday 5th February is the Pulbah Island Marathon starting from Speers Point Sailing Club. The briefing is at 11.00hrs and La Mans start at 1200 noon. This a popular event and usually draws a large fleet of F18s. At Speers Point they now have 9 local F18s and with a group of us coming from Sydney we should have a fleet of over 15 boats. This will be part of the NSW Travellers series.
Next Events of the NSW F18 Travellers Series
Feb 5 Pulbah Island Marathon race Speers Point
Feb 27 Cock of the Bay Marathon Kurnell
March 5,6 Trial Bay Regatta
April 17 Kurnell
Sydney Flying Squadron
The Sydney Flying Squadron at Milsons Point have a new Commodore and he is very keen to get F18s visiting their club for regattas. The club is really hopping at the moment with live music after the racing each week, a spectator ferry and good prizes for the sailors. Next season they are offering a prize worth $5000 for a race on 24th September! No I didn't put too many 0s on that number that is five thousand dollars. A race for boats eighteen feet long with a 2.30 start 24th September to find the fast 18 foot boat in Australia. It will be a great competition with the skiffs verses the cats. A few of us will be visiting the club this season for a few races. We will keep you posted if you want to join us.
See you on the water
Leanne Gould
