News

Our glorious handicapper prevails

Our glorious handicapper, Tom Clarke, prevailed in the 4 January 2025 - Class racing - completing the race in 2/3rds of the time of his nearest competitor in the Melges/Aero class. The Laser Radial class (and don't those boys exude class) was more competitive where the winner, Matt Darby, was only about three minutes ahead of the last in very flukey conditions. There as also only three minutes between the first Sabre (Grandpa Doug Varey) and the last, Councillor Michael Nolan.

Sarah Porritt storms home - twice!

Sarah won both the first two races of the Mid-week series on handicap, with Karen Buckingham and Kris Symons joining her on the podium for the first race. In the second race it was Matt Johnson #2 on his A Class classic, with Storm Johnson on his A Class vintage only just behind him. [Note to self - does vintage describe the boat or the skipper, and why is the 'mid-week' race on a Monday??] And, yes, the Commodore did finish last in the first race which everyone with a marine radio heard.

Club racing - not for the feint hearted

With strong winds forecast and most sailors late to arrive (seemingly only turning up when the lunch break at the cricket commenced) we set an unusual sausage course. While this led to lots of complaints from the tower (lovely to see you back Jonka), it suited Tom Clarke, who won the 1st race on handicap, & Richard Jagger who won both races on VYC handicap. There was also fear in a lot of sailor's eyes, but that was mostly due to the prospect of being rescued by Martin Corden and Simon Webster.

Lets ignore the invaders

Race 5 saw our three visitors take out #1, #2 & #3. (and they can see the results in the link below) But if we ignore them it was Doug Varey, followed by Anthony Brand and Derek Hollander (great to see you back on the water, and able to leave Jonka to disrupt race control).Race 6 saw a Laser Radial trifecta (again if we ignore our visitor who beat us all), with Leigh Glover, followed by Simon Corden, and BEHIND SIMON was Martin Corden.

Kobe rulz - two 4 two

In fluky winds only the most talented (and/or lucky) prevail. And so it was on Saturday when our fleet of 12 battled it out. While most of the fleet had very different individual results between the two races, Kobe was the winner in both! Great effort.

The Summer Series commences

Nine boats, and 13 hardy sailors started in the first two heats of the Opening Series. Initially in flukey and then strong winds Leigh Glover managed to win both races, while Martin showed consistency in coming sixth and then fifth. Simon Webster came first among the Melges in both races, helped by both Stewart Carter and Richard Jagger being on the rescue boat. Koby Langford and Liam Clarke battled it out in their Pacers - doing a great job in challenging conditions.

The Admiral wins

Simon Webster, the MYC Sailing Admiral, achieved victory in Heat 8 under difficult conditions. Admiral Nimitz once said 'An Admiral who doesn't make mistakes isn't trying hard enough." but today our Sailing Admiral (okay Captain) proved that trying to hard finally leads to success. After Simon in Heat 8 was Karen Buckingham, and Pete Balka in the Sabres. Heat 7 saw Richard Jagger, Simon (again) and Matt Darby on the podium. Well done team!

The Pied Piper of Merricks

It was a day of ignominy for Merrick's Laser sailors where, after completing three laps of the course, they followed Mitch Campbell (who had missed briefing) on an unplanned fourth lap in the fifth race of the Opening Series. Was this an attempt at a collective Magoo Award, or just the fact that none of these sailors can count to three? In the end they took #1, #2 & #3 on handicap anyway.

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.

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