FFI-V February 2021 News Bulletin

• FFI-V 2020-2021 Calendar
• Double header of events at DBYC.
  • Ossie McCutcheon Trophy regatta
  • 57^th FFI-V State Championships
• Calendar dates Internationally and FFI-Aus
• Club Fleet News
• FFI-V Membership for 2020-2021 season

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The 2020-2021 FFI-V season Calendar has been condensed as previously noted in the November 2020 News Bulletin.  These dates are now locked in and only subject to COVID restrictions:

FFI-V Ossie McCutcheon Trophy, DBYC 13/14^th March, 2021

57^TH FFI-Victorian 2021 Championships, DBYC 20/21^st March, 2021

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Both the 2020-21 Ossie McCutcheon Trophy Regatta and

The 2021 FFI-V State Championships are at Davey’s Bay Yacht Club this year
on consecutive weekends 13/14^th and 20/21^st March 2021

• Entries received by the close date (one week before each event) will enable DBYC to provide Lunch Rolls for Helm and Crew on all regatta days included within the entry fee. As the Lunch Rolls are prepared off-site,
  these may not be provided to late Entries.
• If you were not a member in the 2019-2020 season you will need to become a member for this 2020-2021 season (See end of this News Bulletin) to enter these regattas. However, if you enter for both events
  FFI-V will refund you the FFI-V component $80-.

The Ossie McCutcheon Trophy Regatta is FFI-V’s main coaching event for the season and we are fortunate to again have Gavin Dagley as our coach. This should be a great weekend of fun and learning.

• Again, we have made provision for the Trophy Races to be swapped to the Saturday if the weather forecast for Sunday has a high probability of No racing. If this happens there will still be very useful coaching on the Sunday. See the blue font sections in the Notice of Race for the paragraphs that cover this variation.

Click on DBYC_2020-21 Ossie McCutcheon Trophy Notice of Race to download a copy.

Click here to go to the Ossie McCutcheon Trophy regatta Event page and read all the notes before proceeding with entry.

This Event page will also be updated with a list of entrants and Sailing Instructions.

For Online Entry (credit card only) go to the above Event page and select REGISTER

For Entry by form with payment options being to post the form and Cheque OR emailing the completed form and making a Direct Credit transfer to FFI-V account. Download the Entry Form from the bottom of the above Event page.

The 57th FFI-V 2021 State Championships is Victoria’s principal event for the season and long awaited since the cancellation of the 2020 States.  

Click on DBYC_FFI-V 2021 State Championships Notice of Race to download a copy.

Click here to go to the 2021 State Championships Event page and read all the notes before proceeding with entry.

This Event page will also be updated with a list of entrants and Sailing Instructions

For Online Entry (credit card only) go to the above Event page and select REGISTER

For Entry by form with payment options being to post the form and Cheque OR emailing the completed form and making a Direct Credit transfer to FFI-V account. Download the Entry Form from the bottom of the above Event page.

• If you need assistance with Accommodation / Billeting contact Cam Taylor on 0408 998 190 (email: cam@taylorclan.com.au) Or Ed Brewis on 0481 535 124 (email: sec.flying15vic@gmail.com) but you will need to get in early to avoid disappointment.
• Contact Dale Collings on 0415 595754 (email: dalecollings3930@gmail.com) for queries on specifics not covered in the Notice of Race or to query an entry.

The FFI-V 2021 AGM is planned to be held on the Saturday of the State Championship weekend and a separate Notice of AGM will be issued shortly.

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Calendar dates - Internationally and FFI-Australia:

The 2021 FFI Worlds have been postponed by one year
due to the global COVID-19 pandemic

59^th AUS Championships, Perth, from 11^th Feb 2022

2022 World Championships, Australia, Perth, 11th to 26th Feb 2022

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CLUB FLEET NEWS

Apollo Bay Sailing Club (ABSC) 2020-2021 season update r

Well, it really should be just a 2021 season update because this seasons racing did not start until 9^th January due to Covid-19 disruptions.

The season started with much enthusiasm following the long break. From our Classic fleet six boats: Affrodite, April Dancer, Euffamism, Fern Elizabeth, Miss Molly and State of the Ark have all raced at least once this season. Down on a couple of regulars from previous seasons, but some of those missing have flagged their intentions to be back on the water later this season. We were very close to seeing the return to sailing by Windswept, which hasn’t been on the water for quite a while. Windswept actually launched but didn’t leave the jetty as a result of crew issues.

We’ve now completed four races, with one other race abandoned on the water at the last-minute following 35+ knot gusts hitting the fleet. A bit of excitement even if we didn’t get to race.

We had a total of five FFs hit the water for Race 1 and in Race 2. Following this numbers have slipped a little – in part due to strong conditions keeping numbers down to the more willing (or reckless?). Race 3 had four starters and Race 4 only one starter. The racing has been hotly contested (well maybe not Race 4), with some close sailing on occasions. Reportedly on one occasion, so close that some boat touches had occurred.

A couple of our regular FF sailors have recently been doing a bit of extra-curricular sailing on a keel boat cruise with other club members from Apollo Bay to South West Tasmania – Bathurst Harbour and other places in the area. Luckily, they got away just before the latest round of Covid-19 lockdowns. The rest of us are looking forward to their stories, but also hope the keel boat sailing has softened their dinghy racing skills.

uns a mini-series that is separate from the overall Club Championship series on 30 Jan., 20 Feb. & 27 Mar. 2021. Visiting FF sailors are welcome to join in for these days (or any other Saturday of the season). These FF regatta days are typically short course races with 5 or so starts.  …………….………. Bruce Johnson

Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) FF Report – February 2021

FF sailing at GLYC has been very disjointed with the COVID –19 interruptions, I think we will be lucky to get half a season completed, if there are no more ‘issues’. At the start of the season, we had 5 FF’s at the club, Trevor Williams (3611), Jim Callahan (3673), Fred Steinkellner (2XXX), David Parish (3311) and Craig Rainey (3880). Dave Parish had picked up 3311 from Canberra and had been sailing with his daughter, Gini, or Sue, his wife, not sure how they sort out the roster. Interestingly 3311, is a silver boat and came 7th at the Hongkong 2013 Worlds in the hands of a Matty Owen (sailing Legend).

To date we are in our 3rd COVID–19 lockdown and, I am not sure this is related, but each lockdown has been punctuated with the loss of a FF.  Just before the first lockdown Fred had unloaded his newly renovated FF at the club, completed a test sail, packed up and went home. To date no one has seen him since and his FF mysteriously disappeared from the club. Prior to the 2^nd lockdown Trevor Williams wrenched his shoulder while completing a jibe in a 31 kt Southerly buster, during the ‘round the Island race’. As a result, Trevor has had surgery on his shoulder and it means his sailing has been put on the back burner. Mind you his jibe was on the finish line and he stole a bullet for the race.

The third incident occurred after the 2nd Lockdown, Jim mentioned he was going to do a few races in his FF and suddenly 3673, had been sold and shipped to its new owner in SA. This leaves Dave and Craig as torch bearers for FF’s at GLYC.

Apart from COVID-19 interruptions to the Sailing Calendar, actual racing days have also been impacted by the weather, either a lack of wind, too much wind or inclement weather. In an attempt to do some sailing we ventured off to Metung Yacht Club further down the line. Metung sail Saturdays and GLYC sail Sundays. On arrival we were greeted by Peter Harvey, who hails from Canberra and has recently purchased ‘Flying High’ FFxxxx. This FF originally belonged to the 'Andrew Sisters' from Lake MacQuarie and finished in the top 10 at the 1998 Qld Worlds. Perhaps we need to do some more sailing at Metung. ……………… Ian Rainey

Davey’s Bay Yacht Club (DBYC) Season 2020 / 2021 so far:

The delayed start to the sailing season for double handers wreaked havoc with everyone’s finely honed plans to start their season. All those zoom calls encouraging preparation and those minutes spent in lockdown itching to get out on the water were washed away with the first tack. Whoops of joy accompanying the first surf down a wave….it was so good to be back. The fleet has been gradually increasing in size with each passing week as more feel the call of the sea. The racing has been consistently good with a closely bunched fleet in almost all races. Jeni & Peter Danks are definitely no longer “Fforgetful” in their boat. While they seem to have forgotten to rename their boat, they certainly have not forgotten how to sail and have generally been the boat to beat. There have been multiple winners with Dave Streader & Glenn Kerkhoff in “Endorffin”, Dale Collings and Wayne Fallows in “Aussie Falcon”, Mick Swales & Kevin Buschert in “Clockwork VII”, Mike Oxley & Gary (Trackers) Cameron in “Oxfactor” or Julia (Chip) Schwarz & Nick Peasley in “Ffoxy III” all making it to the podium summit on different occasions.  We are yet to see the full fleet all out at the same time with a few boats yet to make a showing. (Time to get your act together or you will miss out on all the fun!) We’ve had blow-out days, calm days and plenty of awesome days so far. There’s been lots learnt from tactics to boat preparation - bungs and inflated bags are indeed a necessity.

We are hoping for a big showing at the Ossie Mac and Vic States and look forward to welcoming multiple Flying 15’s down to DBYC. The hospitality will be as awesome as covid allows; the camaraderie will be legendary. So, start your preparation now!  ……………………………………………………………………….Ed Brewis.

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Last season’s (2019-20) FFI-V Members do NOT need to renew for 2020-21.

The FFI-V Committee have moved and passed a Motion to “not charge current (2019-2020) financial members for membership for the 2020-2021 season” which includes the FFI-A boat registration fee. This is a once off action recognising the impact that COVID restrictions have placed on our FFI-V events and our members incomes.

The Australian Sailing membership system has already been updated for last season’s FFI-V financial members to be current for this season (2020-2021) and FFI-A boat registration fees have also been paid for this season.

If you did not re-join last season then you will need to Register (Not Renew) for the 2020-21 season. Go to our FFI-V website (Click here)  then go to the Membership page.

At the bottom of this page you will find a link to REGISTER link

        To pay by Credit Card use this link to re-join FFI-V online.

        To pay by direct transfer or cheque download a membership form

                 from the bottom of the Membership page.

If you have any issues with this please contact Dale Collings on 0415 595754.

From Dale Collings

On Behalf of FFI-V