Race Officer Report
South Island Championships Regatta, Nelson: 8 and 9 Th October 2022
Our club is fortunate to have its own sailing facility, along with the
infrastructure required to hold a national event. This has built our club spirit,
growing our membership from thirty two members to forty two members this
season.
Three weeks prior to the event our land sailing area was 500ml under water,
the launching pontoon was floating higher than its mooring poles. Everything
was saturated.
This is where club spirit comes in. Phone calls were made, and friends were
shoulder tapped. For example, we were loaned a high-capacity pump which
pumped 350000 litres of water per hour. This ran for eight hours a day for four
days, with club members providing the diesel. Gravel was carted in and a mate
with a tractor rebuilt the roadway. Finally, the water level subsided and
members moved in with shovels and rakes to dry out the mud. It was starting
to look like a sailing venue again due to the huge effort of our members.
Now to organise the regatta. Ably led by the race committee manager, Basil
Hart, it all started to fall into place. We had boat crew training, scoring practice
and a full dummy run. It was starting to take shape.
Low and behold, Friday dawned. The ground was dry, the sun shone, and a
steadily northerly breeze filled in for practice sailing while other formalities like
measuring and weighing were completed.
Saturday; Day One
This was my first major event as a race officer, and I was a little apprehensive.
Ten thirty arrived and time for the briefing. After our race manager and
commodore, Basil Hart’s, welcome, it was my turn.
I introduced myself and my support team. After the normal preamble
explaining the launching and retrieving areas and competitor positions, I then
spent a little time explaining the spirit I wanted for the regatta: positive calls
but no shouting; respect for each other and fair sailing. This appeared to be
well received. At this stage the wind had not settled in so I postponed the
start. The course that we would be sailing has a relatively short fetch from the
start line to the shore requiring a sea room or water call. As we had time up
our sleeve, I asked the very experienced Terry Valder to explain the applicable
rules. This he did in his efficient and calm manner. I believe this contributed to
the sportsman-like manner the regatta was sailed.
The wind settled, the course was laid, and we were away. Excellent sailing
conditions with no major course adjustments necessary. We completed nine
races for each heat – a satisfying day.
The evening buffet dinner at our local golf club was well attended and a few
good yarns were shared.
Sunday; Day Two
Clear sky, northerly breeze forecast to come in late morning. The start was
delayed until noon as we waited for the breeze to settle. I took advantage of
the delay to ask Terry Valder to, once again, address the sailors regarding the
rules and obligations at the top and offset mark. This was once again well
received. I would like to thank Terry for his support.
The Gold and Silver fleets had been posted, the wind settled and at 1200 hrs
we were off. Nine races in each fleet were completed by 1530 hrs, allowing
visitors to catch planes and head home.
Congratulations to Graham Cross, the winner of the regatta; Ian Vickers,
second and Rick Cassels-Brown, third.
I mentioned earlier in my report that as this was my first time as a race officer
at this level, I was a bit apprehensive. I didn’t need to be as the support of my
team and the support from the sailors produced an event sailed in a true
sportsman-like manner.
Thank you all.
John Levy
Race Officer.