News

Boring - those Melges take the first three places again!

It was light and variable winds, and for much of the race many sailors were going faster backwards with the tide. So after a shortened course we were left with the results where #1 Richard Jagger, #2 Stewart Carter and #3 was Tom Clarke. Oh well, there is always next week.

Opening Day - Melges Rule!

We formally started the season with challenging Northerly winds that lead to both Martin Corden and Matt Darby spending time washing their sails and displaying the bottom of their boats. But when things get tough the tough getting going and it was all Melges on the podium with #1 (Tom Clarke), #2 (Richard Jagger) and #3 (Stewart Carter).

A day of ignominy

This year we had a pre-season Icebreaker race and invited our friends at Westernport and Somers to join us. This was to the awarding of the Montalto Marathon trophies to those who could make it, and to thank John Mitchell of Montalto for their generous support of this race (WHICH MERRICKS WON!!). Unfortunately, on the day our four visitors took out 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places. Oh, and Matt Darby had the first capsize of the season before the race. Well done Matt. The full results below.

Sailing instructions for 2024-25 Sailing season posted on website

Our glorious sailing captain, Simon Webster, under the supervision and guidance of Richard Jagger, have updated the Sailing Instructions for the coming season. For those of you who don't know what sailing instructions are, they are not instructions on how to sail (but you could pick up a few ideas Martin) but the rules under which we operate. So read them before bed and prepare to hit the water.

First weekend working bee for 24-25 season

We had a fantastic turnout for our first weekend working bee for the 2024-25 season, although less arduous than in previous years because of the hard work of the Friday Gang's hard work. But there was still changing rooms to sweep, the untangling of the rock buoy lines (see photo - 'How many blokes does it take to untangle three lines?), launching of patrol and the placing of the rock buoys (in the wrong place). A successful morning finished off with a BBQ.

Retaining wall and Pete's pavilion making great progress

The Friday morning crew have done an amazing job with replacing the retaining wall, despite the recent assistance of the former club champion, Martin Corden. Great effort by Storm, Doug, Keith, Pete (current club champion) and Martin. The shed is now advancing at a great pace with the slab and early metal work complete. Thanks again to the generous support of Bendigo Bank, Balnarring for helping make this possible.

Sir John receives his Magoo award

Recently the club was graced with a visit from Sir John who attended the club to receive his latest Magoo award. He was accompanied by Nurse Darby, who ensured all appropriate protections were in place, but declined Simon Webster offer to be subject to a full body search. Great effort by Matt and Edwina to get him to and from his rehab facility.

Jonka revels in being Magoo Award winner again

Multiple award winner, John Hollander, had his Magoo Award conferred on him at his hospital bed by Storm Johnson. Outstanding achievement of seeking to drive Merricks Patrol onto the trailer while the anchor was done! Well done, Jonka

2023-24 Results

What a night it was – kudos to the Social Committee for the fabulous catering! After much anticipation, the 2023-24 Club Champion was announced as Peter Balka, with Martin Corden and Doug Varey hot on his heels. The Iron Couple award went to our dynamic duo in the Control Tower, Sue Varey and Andrew Porter, for their stoic watch over us sailors battling the elements. Full results on the website.

Kobe kills it - 2 for 2 in Autumn Series heats 7 & 8.

Kobe was very motivated this week, after spending (enduring) the last race with Martin (and Tom) in the rescue boat. And that motivation paid off - coming #1 in both races. And in both races Karen came #2, and Peter #3 - so consistency was the name of the game.

The early bird didn't get the worm

In a day of drama, three of our intrepid sailors headed off slightly early at the start of Heat 5 of the Autumn Series - but only two came back. Well done Doug and General Webster. But this unfortunately meant that one of our boats was designated OCS.

Labour Day drama

It was a good day to be sailing a Sabre. For those in the more flighty Lasers, Aeros & Melges, it was like the next instalment of Fast & Furious. Extreme speeds and extreme wipeouts were the order of the day as the full fury of the gusty Northerly arrived with a vengeance just after the start of the first race. The proposed 9 laps over 3 races, became a 1 lap fight-for-survival, and then head for the beach.

Sarah and the Sabres rule

The prize for consistency this week goes to Sarah Porritt - coming second in both races in challenging conditions. And overall a big day for Sabres - #1 & #2 in the heat 3, and then a clean sweep in heat 4 of the Autumn Series.

Kobe kills it as the Autumn Series kicks off

Kobe Langford took gold in Heat 2 of the Autumn Series, while General Simon Webster took gold in Heat 1. It was a day of changing fortunes, as many sailors who were near the top of the pack in race 1, came near the back in heat.

New head protection modelled during Heats 3 & 4

Do you have a head that is worth protecting from the occasional bang, but not so valuable that you are prepared to buy a full sailing helmet (or maybe you are not silly enough to sail a Laser with their low booms).

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