Hello all,

The RYC River Champs & The Viking Funeral this past weekend was a tremendous success. It was really good to see so many of our more experienced members amongst the fleet of 22 boats on the water competing for the prestigious River Championship trophy.

Race 1. on Saturday was held in a very brisk wind resulting in many of the old salts capsising and demonstrating, much to my delight, that I am not the only person capable of sailing upside down!

Race 2. also enjoyed a fast start however I believe as a result of Frank Collier and Peter Senn praying just a little too hard for calmer conditions after their capsises and very undignified remounts in the first race the wind died completely toward the end of this race. Nevertheless the better sailors beat the wind to the finish in a very competitive race leaving me far behind and sailing backwards on the outgoing tide. Fortunately by the time I got towed home by the rescue boat nearly everyone had already hit the showers sparring me much humiliation.

The spitbraai and Viking Funeral on Saturday evening, at which it was our honour to host the Kohler family who joined us for the celebration of the late Harold Kohler's contribution to Redhouse and sailing, was extremely well supported and really enjoyed by all. I am certain that the eulogy to Harold motivated many of those present to sail better and contribute to promoting the sport by sailing more often.

Sunday afternoon presented glorious sunshine with a moderate steady wind for races 3 & 4 compared to the rain in town. Both these races demonstrated the importance of tactical sailing and it was heartening to hear the many shouts of 'starboard' as the fleet fought against each other for the lead positions.

A big thank you to everyone who supported this event and hearty congratulations go to our winners of the series:-

• Laser Fleet - J. Onvlee (Radial)
• Open A Fleet - R. Onvlee (Finn)
• Open B Fleet - E. Vivier (Mirror)
• Optimist Fleet - J. Woolard

The overall winner will be awarded the historical ships wheel floating trophy at the annual prizegiving next year. Please click here to view the complete table of results for each of the races.

This Sunday there is no organised racing but the club will be open from 09h00 till the last person leaves for social sailing. The weather forecast predicts a sunny day with a nice easterly wind in the afternoon that will provide good practice for the Christmas Series races next weekend. If you have nothing else planned this Sunday please join us at the Club for the lunchtime braai and a sail or two.

Sailing School - There will a full session of sailing school for both junior and senior sailors this Sunday morning.

Optimist Sailor Training - OCRA and Rudy McNeill, the national Optimist coach, will be conducting an intensive training session for the more experienced Optimist sailors in Port Elizabeth from 05 till 07 December 2008.

The program is as follows:-

• 18h00 Friday 5th Dec. Rudy arrives. Registration. Rules session followed by a braai (for both parents and sailors) at ABYC.
• 09h00 Saturday 6th Dec. Whole day sailing training at ABYC.
• 09h00 Sunday 7th Dec. Morning sailing training followed by an afternoon regatta and debriefing at Redhouse.

To book your place please telephone Glynis Baer on 0828937905. Places are limited and will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. Any visiting sailors requiring accommodation may contact me.

The Youth Nationals that take place in Mossel Bay from 12 till 19 December are open to all sailors under the age of 18 and all classes of sailing dinghies including novices. This is going to be a really fantastic regatta at a superb venue. For more information and online entry please click here.

If you are attending or will be in the Mossel Bay area during the regatta please would you email Rob Holden and offer to assist at the event, even if just for one of the days.

Club Membership Fees and Boatshed Rentals - Thank you to all who made arrangements to pay their subs after last weeks appeal. The few members who are still in arrears are asked to please pay up or risk their boat providing the entertainment at the next viking funeral!

Have a wonderful weekend and please do try and join us for a social sail and the braai at Redhouse this Sunday.

Yours in sailing

PAUL PETTITT
Commodore
041 581-5394