Saturday 1^st March saw 30 division 1 & 2 couta boats from Sorrento Sail & Couta Boat Club sailing their State Championships off Queenscliff in good winds. Eight QLYC boats sailed in a separate race on the division 2 course for the Cec Anderson 3 series. This race, showcasing the diversity of our fleet, was won on handicap by trailer sailer Lydian, with couta boat Defiance second and and Keelboat Imagine third. Unfortunately, the poorly angled finish line contributed to three of our boats not finishing. The planned joint function at QCYC did not eventuate, as the SSCBC boats undertook their passage race back to Sorrento immediately after the finish of the races off Queenscliff.

As a result of the race abandonments during February, the sailing program has had to be changed to catch up with the missed series and trophy races. As a result, the Commodores Cup and Cocktail Party has been moved to Saturday 12^th April

The Lady Nelson Trophy race was conducted on 8th March on an easterly course due to unfavourable conditions for the usual course into Lonsdale Bight. Eleven boats raced, with Kioni first on handicap followed by Defiance second and Lydian third.

The Cole Cup was sailed in light 5-8 knot winds on a slightly shortened course to the Portsea Hole and back. In a great effort, Isabel was first on both line honours and handicap. She was the only couta boat to finish with the other four retiring when the wind dropped out, and they could not finish within the allotted race time. Second on handicap was Kioni with Coral Lea third, of the twelve boats competing.

On 22nd March it was intended to run the Mud Island race with the SSCBC fleet. Due to unsuitable tide and wind predictions, QLYC decided not to join that race, and instead sailed for the Irwin Trophy off Queenscliff. The SSCBC subsequently followed our lead and abandoned the Mud Island course for a shorter course off Sorrento. Nine QLYC boats competed in the Irwin Trophy race in light 5 knot winds. First on handicap was Defiance, with Coral Lea second and Kioni third.

The much anticipated, Channels Race was to have been sailed on 29th March, however with the forecast for southerly winds gusting over 20knots an alternative shorter course was proposed. This race was a double catch-up for both the Cec Anderson 1 and Maritime trophy races. Eight boats rigged up, with the only couta boat to finish the race, Isabel winning, ahead of a much improved, Coral Lea with Imagine third.

It has been an up and down season so far, with the fickle winds. Despite this, we have had a recent record number of twelve boats competing, with a further five boats that have sailed at some stage this season.

My thanks go to all skippers and crews for continuing to turn up, and to Colin Gibbs who has had an interesting time as stand-in handicapper while Peter Curtis has been on holidays

Come and join us next Saturday at the Commodore's Cocktail Party, from 1800. You can register here!

Colin White

Commodore

FRIDAY NIGHT DRINKS

The lovely Indian summer has meant Friday night drinks at the clubhouse continues to be popular. 

This summer on the last Friday of each month we hosted Swan Bay Environment Association for drinks at the club and last Friday in February saw in excess of 40 people attending, swelled by Geoff Cook’s Old Codger mates. Paddling on Swan Bay has also remained popular with Ross Nitz offering the Discover Sailing and Paddling participants an additional three Sundays of guided paddling. Thanks to Ross, we have welcomed several new members.

New members, come down and join us for a drink on a Friday night between 5 and 7 or after Sailing on a Saturday, again between 5 and 7ish and talk to a committee member who'll introduce you to the club.

THE WOODEN BOAT SHOW

The Commodore and Treasurer accompanied four other yacht club couples to Hobart for the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival. This year's event was run in ideal weather with big crowds enjoying the Salamanca market amidst many exhibits and a harbour full of timber boats, including 11 tall ships. On the Saturday night the QLYC contingent and friends met for drinks at historic Lenna Hotel, then on to the Shipwrights' Arms in Battery Point for dinner. Thanks Tom and Rob.

On the Sunday, Steve Comben took a group of eight out on the harbour for an eventful cruise in his beautiful motor sailer, Lady Gillian.

CHECK OUT EVENTS, SAILING AND SWAN BAY ACTIVITY PAGES AT QLYC.ORG FOR INFO ON UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Saturday 12 April - Commodore's Cup
• Saturday 12 April - The Commodore's Cocktail Party Get your ticket here
• Mon 14, Tues 15, Thur 17 - There's still a few places in the Dinghy Sailing Clinic. A great school holiday activity.
• Saturday 19 April - QCYC Queenscliff Cup Race Series and QLYC Supplementary race
• Sunday 20 April - Swan Bay Dinghy Teams Trophy race
• Sunday 10 May -  Season End cruise to SSCBC for lunch

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW THIS MONTH, 

Thanks to all the Volunteers who helped out at events over summer! The Club could not run these events without your assistance. To those who wore our red Volunteer polo shirts, could you please launder and return to the Club House ready for the next event. Thanks again for volunteering!

If you'd like a tshirt of your own, please get in touch with our friends at Looking Smart at Ocean Grove. They have an excellent selection of shirts, caps and jackets that they can slap a QLYC logo on. Check me out in my navy polo at the Commodore's Cocktail Party this Saturday! You'll wish you had one too.

WHAT TO CONSIDER THIS MONTH, 

Would you like to help arrange regular paddling days for members and be the liaison between the paddlers and committee? If you'd like to consider this volunteer position, have a chat with us, maybe over a drink at the Commodore's Cocktail Party.

AND LASTLY!

See you around the Clubhouse! And at the Commodore's Cocktail Party on Saturday!