Vice Commodore’s Report
As the rest of the country winds down after a challenging year, our Club is preparing for a very busy two months. Next week we will be hosting Sail Melbourne, followed in January with the Stonehaven Cup, the 12ft Cadet Centenary Reunion and Regatta and the VX and 2.4m Nationals. Elsewhere members will the competing in the Sydney to Hobart, Melbourne to Hobart, Cock of the Bay, Petersville Regatta, Festival of Sails, and OTB regattas or simply cruising with family and friends on Port Phillip.
All these events attract Australia’s best sailors and provide our members, volunteer race officials and other competitors a unique experience to learn from the best. Whether it’s new equipment and boat setup, boat handling, race strategy and tactics, regatta preparation, weather or racing rules there is, as the saying goes, always room for improvement. In his fortnightly blog, Sailing to Win, fellow club member Brett Bowden provides invaluable insights from his own experience and those of the world’s best sailors. In addition, by taking the time to talk with fellow competitors, observe what is happening on championship courses and yachts, you can improve your own sailing and enjoyment. Throughout the year I’ve sailed in a variety of conditions, yachts and locations and each time I’ve come back with some new insights.
Royal Brighton Yacht Club has a well deserved reputation as a world class regatta venue providing an outstanding on water experience and hospitality. Due to our limited footprint, it is not always easy to accommodate visiting fleets while, at same time ensuring members have full access to facilities such as car parking. In the spirit of Rule 2 and the benefits these events provide the club, can I please ask for your patience and understanding during these times and show courtesy to members and visitors alike.
Wishing you fair winds and following seas and remember no bananas at sea.
Vice Commodore
Peter Demura