April 4, 2017
Making an utmost effort to please sailors on the Lake of Thun and their fellow visitors, local hens have been breeding eggs again, magically providing images of the 5.5m logo for the upcoming Easter Regatta ("Osterregatta"), traditionally hosted by TYC.
Reading the calendar carefully, races will take place on FRIDAY 14th April and SATURDAY 15th April, despite the annual NOR of TYC talking about Saturdays & Sundays, in general. Make a note now, that such deviation will also apply to "Herbstpreis" in October, which will have extended racing on FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY, this year.
Back to the Easter timing: On Friday evening it will be time for the joyful "Eiertütschen" ceremony, not more to be told here; be there or be square.
On the registration list we do already have participants from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Early registration does help the local club enormously. In one past Easter Regatta on Thursday the entry list was showing 3 boats and the next day 11 boats were racing. Please do contribute with your early entry!
For those, wishing to race the "Alpen Cup" later in the month, the "Osterregatta" of TYC can be a perfect "tune-up".
Ladies & Gentlemen, start your engines!
March 14, 2017
Congratulations to Jason Antill and crew Damo and Mike in Baragoola from RPAYC - our new national champions and Silver Cup winners.
Second and Gold Cup winner was RPAYC's Skagerak with Bob Stoddard, Brak and Jamie.
Third was Antares with Martin Cross, Mark H and Tim, also from RPAYC with Kings Cross (Vaucluse) and Pam (Manly) a close 4th and 5th.
New to the class, Robert Hart in Marotte from RPAYC won the last race in a drifter downwind finish to finish in 6th spot overall.
Unfortunately Robbie retired from the racing after the first race with spinnaker halyard issues.
Thank you to Vaucluse club and race staff for a great series. Many thanks as well to Tannis for her wonderful photography and tech skills and to other contributors Marto and Damo.
Photo galleries:
https://goo.gl/photos/odN3KaSWtvYiDCrL7
https://goo.gl/photos/WuNjYie8x9FuhFJr6
March 13, 2017
Preparing for the Summer season, Swedish water sports enthusiasts have attended the Stockholm boat show in early March. On prominent display was 5.5 SWE 66 "Wasa V", exhibited by the Sune Carlsson boatyard.
The newly shaped ballast of the boat could be seen, the bulb is gone. The respective chain-saw picture had been posted by Leif in the net, before. Improved performance is expected.
Already at the end of January another meeting for seasonal planning had been taking place in Stockholm, at a gathering of owners & crew of SWE 64 and SWE 65 with a visitor from Germany.
In a unique Stockholm downtown bar & restaurant with live music, talks were on about pros&cons of Kieler Woche as well as on options to combine the "Edelholz Regatta" (Berlin 5.5mR Championship) in early July with plans to travel on to France, for the World's, later in summer. Intermediate storage for the boats will be looked out for.
March 10, 2017
In preparation for this years' "North American Regatta" on Lake Huron, 5.5 Metre Class sailors have met at the home of John Lister, talking about 2017 season plans, boat preparations and at the same time enjoying good food.
The date for the regatta is set to 8th-11th June, the NOR in this pdf: 5.5 Metre Regatta
Up to 9 boats from Canada and the USA are being expected and there may be a chance for visitors from abroad to crew.
Interested sailors may contact John: listersjohn@gmail.com