During the weekend, RBYC members took fully advantage of the sunny conditions participating in a variety of events and activities showing there’s more to Melbourne’s winters than football and snow.
Saturday morning began with the first race of the ORCV 2025 DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series and Novice Return Series. As is the tradition, there was the pre-race practice distress flare drill off Club with variety of hand held and parachute flares illuminating the morning sky. The race was conducted in 10-20 knot northerly winds and the 36 yacht fleet sailed a 15 nm course, with a beat from RBYC to RMYSG before heading off to on a run down to SYC5, SYC3 and a spinnaker run to the finish at SYC4.
RBYC was represented by Another Chapter, Schuss and Serious Yahoo, with Another Chapter, skippered by Greg Clinnick finishing second on AMS (1st on PHS) with a corrected margin of just 14 seconds, while Serious Yahoo finished 3th on AMS in Div 1 (3rd on Div 1 PHS). The next race is on Saturday July 5th with a destination race to Geelong and return Novice Skippers Race on Sunday. The next race is on Saturday July 5th with a destination race to Geelong and return Novice Skippers Race on Sunday.
While some RBYC General Committee members, together with representatives from 23 other clubs, attended the Australian Sailing Summit held in the Bayview Room on Saturday to discuss a range of issues affecting sailing on Port Phillip, 6 RBYC yachts lined up on the start line for Race 1 of the Blizzard Series. Caledonia, skippered by Andrew Merrett, took line honours, 1st place on AMS and PHS while True Colours skippered by Geoff Adams took the honours on ORC.
Saturday marked the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and while the druids danced around Stonehenge, Iceberger Sam Paynter and his helpers were busy setting up for the Annual Winter Solstice Swim. By all accounts, the evening swim was an outstanding success with 95 swimmers braving the 12 degree water before adjourning to Club for dinner and an evening of celebrations and entertainment or as the invitation put it – Swim–Eat–Band-Drink.
The Winter Solstice also heralds the Annual Frostbite Regatta between RBYC and RMYS. First held on the Yarra River in 1965, his event involves the representatives from the respective General Committees competing for a bottle of Yarra water, otherwise known as the Frostbite Trophy. This year’s format involved a three-boat junior and GC team from each club sailing three races in the Quest dinghies from RBYC. On Sunday morning, the juniors sailed the first three races in relatively light conditions with the RBYC junior team taking the honours. When it came to the GC’s turn, the wind had increased significantly and only two races were sailed before the Race Officer thought it best to postpone racing for the day due to the increasing wind. Racing was tight and in the end only one point separated the two Clubs with RBYC being victorious for the first time since 2017. I’d like to thank the volunteers, the Sailing Office, RMYS and all the RBYC sailors, both young and old, who all contributed to a fun day of sailing. The Frostbite Trophy can be viewed in the cabinet just before you enter the Members’ Bar.
A friendly reminder to join us for the Royal Brighton Yacht Club’s Annual Members Party and Presentation Night on Friday 11th July beginning at 7.00pm in the Bayview Room and Members’ Bar
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season’s achievements, honour our award recipients, and enjoy an evening of cocktails, canapés, music and dancing with fellow members and friends.
Please call reception to book your tickets. Tickets are only $50pp
In addition to the members party, a wide range of activities is taking place at the club throughout the winter months. These include keelboat racing on Wednesdays and Saturdays, OTB sailing on the first Sunday of each month, the Sunday Carvery (6th July), the Friday night draw, Brooksey’s Comedy nights, Ella’s Music nights and of course the delicious new menu from our Chef Dee and his team. Also bookings are now open for the Club’s annual wine night to be held on August 20th featuring wines from the legendary d’Arenberg winery presented by the Chief Winemaker Chester Osborn. There really is something for everyone at RBYC over winter.
Wishing you fair winds and following seas and remember no bananas at sea.
Peter Demura
Commodore
