PSYC 2023 - Issue #13 (Final Issue)
Port Sydney Yacht Club 2023 - Issue #13: The End!
Commodores' Corners
Stephanie Johnson, Co-commodore 2023
Ahoy sailors,
Well, it’s with great sadness that this sailing season has come to end. It has been a great summer, with a great turnout of Albacores. It was also a great turnout of new and enthusiastic members, which we hope will continue to grow in future seasons. We would like to congratulate Dean MacMurtury for his upcoming role as Commodore, which we know he will do an excellent job at next season. We would also like to thank Meteorologist Ted Johnson for his helpful advice on weather and sailing and Elspeth Hogg who has been Treasurer for many years. We also congratulate Kelly Douglas who has agreed to take on the role of Treasurer next season. Also, we would like to thank Mary Ann Hand and Sharon Vance for their enthusiasm and commitment as Committee Boat. Finally, a huge thanks to John Hogg and Warren Hall for setting the marks and to Mark and Stephanie Beadle for organizing the year-end party.
And, last but certainly not least, my Co-commodore Edward Gledhill, who has done a remarkable job on the website and newsletters and weekly bulletins on race conditions.
Now, without further ado, it’s time to hand over the Commodore duties to our new Commodore, Dean, and Mark, his Vice.
--SJ ⚓
Edward Gledhill, Co-commodore 2023
Well, here we are! In a summer that seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye, we certainly had a great season: well-attended races, a full programme of parties and a thriving community is a great place for Co-commodore Stephanie and I to be leaving our posts in (even if we do say so ourselves!). Since we joined Sue's team in 2020, we helped her navigate the pandemic and her many fantastic initiatives before we took the reins ourselves at the end of last season. It's been rewarding and challenging in equal measure, and we wish Commodore-designate Dean MacMurtry and his Vice, Mark Beadle, all the very best. We also welcome Kelly Douglas who assumes the role of Treasurer following Elspeth's outstanding example.
I would also like to reiterate Stephanie's thanks to all the fantastic volunteers without whom the club would not exist: Dean (VC), Elspeth (Treasurer), Sharon & Mary Ann (Race Committee), the Lauries, Larry Onisto and others (Crash Boat/Photography), Mark Beadle (Party Planner and VC 2024), Brian (Logowear) and all hosts and party volunteers. Thank you.
With my best wishes for the winter, see you next summer. Now to get back to my homework...
--EG ⚓
The new team
From the Incoming Commodore Team
Congratulations everyone on a safe and fun filled 2023 sailing season! I extend a huge thank you to Edward and Stephanie on behalf of all members of the club for doing such a great job organizing and leading the racing and festivities. I heard from many members that they feel the club has not been more organized and professional in our communication and coordination so Edward and Steph leave Mark and I in great shape to just keep it rolling- or should we say sailing… in the right direction for 2024!
As I look at the Commodore plaque presented to me at the party, I’m humbled by the long list of past and current members that have served the club over the years. Generations of families have dedicated their time and energy over so many years to give this sailing and social club such a rich history- Mark and I hope we can do our small parts to give back to the club as well. I also see that many Commodores have served twice so I’ll have to find out before too long of that’s a reward or a punishment if we bugger it up!
I’d like to thank Mark Beadle for doing such a terrific job coordinating the season ending party- it was a great turn out and a lot of fun. Mark extends his thanks to the many volunteers who jumped in so enthusiastically to pull it all off – it takes a lot of work to make it all happen and clearly would not be possible without all the volunteers. I was equally impressed with the number of people who stayed around right till the end and put everything back in its place so quickly and efficiently without being asked- there is certainly a heart warming sense of community within the club.
Congratulations to all the skippers and crews on their results in the 2023 season standings. Orlando and Sue put on a clinic with five first place and one second place finish this year, but with the Hall and Dibble boat only one point behind its sets up for some great rematches next season. For the rest of us, its kind of like the tennis field coming up in the Federer, Nadal, Djokovic era- we might have to wait till somebody retires in order to get to the podium!
In terms of early thoughts on priorities for next season, as mentioned at the awards ceremony we have great racing going on in the front pack as well as the midfield, but a large time gap in between. Perhaps we can increase the overall experience for all racers with some different race formats and/or some form of staggered start handicap system. Also in terms of priority its always in the clubs interest to put best efforts towards recruiting new sailors especially adding some youth-so we will give that some continuing effort next season. And finally there is the idea of hosting the Ontario Albacore Championship in 2024 or 2025 so we will continue to explore that opportunity and communicate back to the membership.
Have a great off season everyone, looking forward to next year and see you on the water in 2024!
DM ⚓
MB ⚓
2023 Season Final Standings
1 – Gledhill O, (7)
2 - Hall (8)
3 - Hogg (16)
4 - MacMurtry (18)
5 - Johnson (20)
6 - Beadle (29)
7 – Lobb (33)
8 - Douglas (34)
9 – Gledhill, E (39)
10 - Laurie (44)
10 - Morgan (44)
12 - Hogg, G (47)
12- Onista (47)
For details on the PSYC’s scoring system, click here.
Race #10 (2.9.2023)
Dean MacMurtry, Commodore-designate
It was an eventful season finale race for 2023. The forecast from our resident meteorologist was for westerly winds at 12 gusting 20 knots so there was a lot of excitement prior to race time with teams heading out early to get set up for the heavy puffs. With actual winds showing up steady in the 8-10 range and a few shifts in the 10-15 range the wind didn’t disappoint.
Unfortunately, we had some carnage prior to race start with two of our recent fleet additions having challenges before the start. Delfina in her Overnighter with crew Bruce Hay had a capsize and had to be rescued by her husband Larry. Additionally just before the final starting signal we saw John Morgan and crew Brian Howell exit straight back to the dock after a broken shackle pin for the main halyard gave out in the strong winds. As sailors we all know how frustrating it can be when one small 1/8” diameter piece of stainless steel hardware can end all your fun for the day. Full credit to John and Delfina for giving it a great try and we look forward to having them join the fleet for more races in 2023!
Eventually 5 boats circled the adjusted start line and gauged the shifty south-west and westerly breezes. After some confusion at the start when both horns in the RC boat sounded like waving a wounded squirrel by the tail, the race got started. As we are accustomed, the Hall boat got a great jump and hit the line on starboard with speed. The MacMurtry boat with crew Greg Crawford learned that the Johnson boat can be ruthless when season ending finishing places are at stake and they squeezed our charging boat off the line as we came from starboard and forced us wide with the only choice being a sudden gybe into a 360 behind the line and an eventual start well behind the fleet.
All the boats ran the right shift on a starboard tack towards Rocky with the Hall boat footing fast and Johnson’s boat with help from crew Elizabeth Pedan easing the main to keep a flat hull and keeping pace with the leader with some great pointing. The Douglas boat with crew Margot was held wide by the MacMurtry boat for what was to be a final beat to the mark but a right shift forced an extra manoeuvre and allowed the Beadle boat with daughter Emma to force overlap room at the mark from the MacMurtry boat. The first downwind run had the Hall and Johnson boats build their lead and a good drag race ensued with MacMurtry edging the Beadle boat to the mark and holding that edge.
The second reach was a good one for the MacMurtry boat as they closed the gap on the Johnson boat rounding the starting mark just seconds behind. With the Johnson boat tacking left the MacMurtry boat headed right and running a good lifted tack up to Buckhorn before heading out towards Rocky. Up ahead Warren and Brad coasted for home uncontested with a win to close off a very strong season. With the Johnson boat on the left side of the final beat both boats headed as tight to the wind as possible to try and lay the finish line with the MacMurtry boat praying for a right shift that never came and the Johnson boat made the line 6 seconds ahead for an exciting second place finish. For fourth place the Douglas boat seemed to cruise straight up the middle on the final upwind leg with a favourable right shift that didn’t make it over to assist the Beadle boat over the line to close out the final boat for the final race of a great season of racing.
Race Results - Race #10
Warren Hall, Brad Dibble - 1
Ted Johnson, Elizabeth Pedan - 2
Dean MacMurtry, Greg Crawford - 3
John Douglas, Margot Ballagh - 4
Mark Beadle, Emma Beadle - 5
John Morgan, Brian Howell - DNF
Delfina Onisto, Bruce Hay - DNS
Thank you for reading! Please stay in touch, and see you in 2024.
The Team