PSYC 2023 - Issue #8
Port Sydney Yacht Club 2023 - Issue #8
Commodore's Corner
Edward Gledhill, Co-Commodore
Ahoy, members!
Eight boats raced last week around an unorthodox (set north of Crown Island to avoid her windshadow) course, kindly moved at the last minute by Mark Setter, Warren. This was definitely the best move, with a far windier course than has yet been seen this season. A fuller report - thanks to Orlando - is below as well as the results. Spot the time difference between fourth and fifth!
Following an exciting race replete with (approx.) 10 members of the Gledhill clan watching from the sidelines and two more sailing, which, combined with the Hoggs' two boats made up half the fleet, the party was held on Linda Kangas/Alan Hilliard's deck in the setting of their immaculately landscaped property. What a day!
Profuse thanks, as ever, goes to the Race Team (Sharon & Mary Ann), Crash Boat (the Lauries), Mark Setters, Linda & Alan for a fantastic party, and all captains, crew, volunteers and spectators. Thanks also to Kelly Douglas who is now announced as the PSYC's incoming Treasurer, from when Elspeth begins her well-deserved retirement at the end of this season.
Finally from me, please read at least the next section or two carefully, as we are sailing/partying on Sunday. And if you could help us as Party Planner for the Year-end party, please read on below!
Cheers!
-EG ⚓
This Week
⛵ Race #6 will be held from 2:15pm on Sunday, 6th August, with the course and location determined by the mark setters/race team.
🎉 The Sailing Party this week is very kindly being hosted on Sunday, 6th August, from 4:30pm, by the Douglas family. Their address is 49 Morgan St in Port Sydney.
There is some parking in the lane-way, but it is limited. Most can park on Morgan St. There is limited boat parking, but the water is good and deep. Parking can be done on all 3 sides of the boathouse. The club notes that some boathouses nearby are also owned by members & the Cheesedock may be available.
Nautical News
The club would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to member Gail Tabbitt, who celebrated her birthday last Saturday. Many happy returns!
The club would like to congratulate PSYC stalwarts John & Joan Douglas on their 65th wedding anniversary on Sunday. Congratulations!
Party Planner needed! We are seeking a well-organised volunteer to co-ordinate this year's year-end BBQ at Port Sydney Community Hall, which is fast approaching (2nd September). Please get in touch. No experience required, and the Commodore Team have check-lists and sign-up sheets.
We are delighted to announce Kelly Douglas as the PSYC's incoming Treasurer. A fuller tribute to Elspeth will be paid in due course, but as she hands over the reins this year we wish her a long and happy retirement, and thank her for her years of tireless service.
Our order for Logowear (6 x 1/4 zips and 12 x PSYC caps) is going in this week.
Race #5 - 29.7.2023
Race Report
Ted Johnson, Club Meteorologist
Saturday dawned a bit cloudy, causing some skippers to wonder if there might be a postponement. Not so Genny Hogg and her brother Stan, just in from Calgary; they were observed on the Hogg beach energetically raising the mast and rigging the family’s robin's-egg blue number two boat which had been ignominiously mothballed for a year in favour of a sleek, lavishly equipped new racer equipped with every conceivable speed-inducing doo-dad.
By late morning, the club meteorologist had been convinced that he should rise and shine and cobble together a report on the weather outlook. Witnesses reported seeing him on his dock holding a moistened finger to the wind, and moments later an email was circulated reporting a north-east wind at 8-10 kts with a positive prognosis for the balance of the day.
Co-commodore Edward Gledhill strove valiantly to build a consensus and by noon it was agreed that, on an exceptional basis, a course should be set to the north of Crown Island. It proved to be a masterful judgment call.
The Committee Boat adapted quickly to the new surroundings and provided a highly disciplined start for the nine boats crowding the starboard end of the line in a steady 8 kt breeze. Two boats switched immediately onto port tack and after a few minutes looked to be well ahead until a classic Mary Lake wind shift drove them onto starboard tack where they found themselves back among the middle of the fleet.
What had begun as a reliable nor’easter gave way to whimsical cat’s-paw winds as the Witch of Mary Lake once more made an appearance. Some boats managed to find a puff or two, while others became almost becalmed. By the time the first boat rounded the windward mark near Deadman’s Island the fleet was well spread out and had subdivided itself into two subgroups: the “Usual Suspects” (Orlando, Warren and John) and “All the Others”. The wind freshened again but remained temperamental. Now one boat would be favoured with a gust; now another.
A highlight of the afternoon was the drama that accompanied the finishing of the fourth, fifth and sixth boats. Skippers MacMurtry and Johnson swelled with pride knowing they were fourth and fifth overall, but morally first and second among All the Others, only to learn moments later that Co-Commodore Gledhill in his Laser, crossing the line sixth, had pipped them at the post by eight tenths of a second after the application of the internationally recognized handicap system. The two were heard an hour later at the very convivial post-race party hosted by Linda Kangas and Allan Hilliard muttering something about demanding a review of the handicap system.
We had an excellent turnout and robust competition. Many thanks to all who made it possible.
Race Results
Sharon Vance & Mary Ann Hand, Race Committee
45.40 Orlando Gledhill and Sue Tovee
49.01 Warren Hall and Brad Dibble
49.14 John and Laura Hogg
51.49** Edward Gledhill
51.05 Dean McMurtry and Greg Crawford
51.19 Ted Johnson and Cameron Hogg
52.41 Stan and Genny Hogg
53.10 Bill Lobb and Mark Tovee
**the adjusted time for the Laser placed this boat in fourth.
Scoring Tracker: Half-time
Dean MacMurtry, Vice-Commodore & Scorekeeper
With 5 races in 2023 down and five to go, here is the updated scoring tracker:
Full details on: portsydneyyachtclub.ca/sail (password: psyc)
Thanks for reading!
The Team ⚓
Photos in this week's issue are courtesy of Nancy Laurie.