The Club Marine Junior and Youth Victorian championship is on next week and we are expecting up to 200 sailors and boats.
MYC boat owners with boats in the yard must advise Sarah or Rod by this weekend if they intend to sail or race between Monday 4th April until Sunday 10th April to have access to their yachts. ( Remember there is no Twilight race after tonight's race) Unless we receive notification it is presumed that MYC can use the yard for those boats competing in theregatta.
Some Boats will need to be moved and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
We are also seeking half a dozen volunteers next Monday to assist Noel Heyes and his team make the necessary changes to the the yard. If you can assist Noel it would be appreciated and please contact him on 0418686571

To celebrate the end of this season's Thursday night Twilight Racing, tomorrow night is a Fun Race.  A big thank you to everyone that accommodated our Day Pass members,some of them converted to full members which is fantastic.  If you are able to take anyone out tomorrow night please put your boat name down on the board by the race office or see Rod or Sarah.

The Rocks have organised Daniel Palamara to come back and play for us tomorrow night!  For those of you that came along to the Soiree he was the guitarist in the Rocks - he was great so if you missed the Soriee, come along tomorrow evening!

Last Saturday before Racing commenced John Mills, Tanya Lawton and Jason Ettridge on Retriever saved 3 fisherman after their boat started sinking . A flare was set off by the fisherman and John Mills immediately reacted and went to assist. As they sped towards the emergency the boat sank to the point that only the tip of the bow was showing.and the 3 fisherman were in the water.  

In about 20 knots of a cold southerly wind and a big swell John, Tanya and Jason were  able to haul all fisherman to safety and also tie a rope to the bow of the boat. The cold fisherman were then attended to by Tania whilst John skippered the boat at a walking pace as he  towed the sunken boat  back to the harbour.

Coast Guard arrived soon after and offered assistance in towing the boat the rest of the way whilst John could bring the cold fisherman to shore and then go back and get on with starting a start a sailing race. 

As the day was cold the warm clothes the three gentlemen had on were wighing them down and they could hardly keep their heads above the water. The boat had recently been purchased and they did have all the safety gear on board. What happened was the fibreglass transom fell away off the rest of the boats hull  with the engine dragging it under the water like an anchor and water rushing in from the stern .

John and Tania are very humble about it but what they did was amazing in what could have been a whole lot worse if they were not there and react as they did.​

Please note members that have not paid the compulsory Capital Works Levy of $192  invoiced in January is OVERDUE. Could you please pay at earliest convenience.

NOTE ALSO: All members that have not paid the fee are deemed unfinancial and if they intend to sail on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday Race (commencing 24 March) that boat will NOT receive a result.

As background for those that are not aware the motion to introduce this Capital Works fee was unanimously voted by the MYC members in 2010 and for it to continue until 31 January 2017. (There is one year to go).

This levy was introduced as part of a capital works program for the club and to help fund our application for a safe harbour. The fee was also introduced  then  to service the debt from the Safe Harbour project and The Rocks Loan. Unfortunately  the Safe Harbour application Panel Hearing consumed more funds than were originally budgeted and in doing so has slowed progress in these capital works.  

The capital works completed up to date are; the upgrade of our function room, resurfacing the yard & dredging of the area in front of the club, Office reception and  slipway . 

​A design/permit for future works has been completed which includes the refurbishment of the quartermaster’s store, Entrance area and a new rear deck.

The capital works levy is helping support the Club, and the  team MYC members who have not paid  does bring extra strain on the Clubs’ cash flow.  We would really appreciate the prompt payment of the overdue amount so as we can get on with the job of improving our facilities for the benefit of us all.

Thank you to the members that have paid.

​Rod Austin CEO

Light Wind Skills were required on all three days for all fleets competing last weekend.

Flying the MYC flag in the following fleets were:

Etchells - RBYC
A second for Graeme Taylor on Magpie Sail No. 947
The 2016 Victorian Etchells Championships concluded at Royal Brighton Yacht Club with John Bertrand, Bill Browne & Jake Newman backing up their 2015 Championship in Triad.After two days of light breezes, Port Phillip delivered some moderate to fresh conditions this afternoon, allowing three races to be sailed and a full regatta program to be completed.
Bertrand’s Triad showed a clean pair of heels to the fleet in today’s first race, finishing 90 seconds ahead of Magpie and Sun Tzu.  After another win in the next race, it was enough to secure the championship without sailing the final race.
Current National Champion, Graeme Taylor, sailing with James Mayo and Richie Allanson on Magpie,  were second in the second race today and won the final, but still came up two points short of the Triad crew.  John Warlow, Ben Lamb & Curtis Skinner on Land Rat were unable to regain their day one form and finished third overall.
Click Here for Etchells Results

Flying  Fifteens - MSC
A 21st for Doug Bell and Richard Trembath
Open Champs - Sue Thompson & Cameron Taylor ff4007 "Never Say Die (naffu!)"
Silver Champs - Lewis Davies & John Radnell ff3144 "fformidable"
Classic Champs - Tim Cobb & Anton Tibbits ff962 "Affrodite"
Team Champs - "MSC"
Handicap Champs - Shane Davies & Andrew Mason ff3238 "ffidelity"
Click Here for Flying Fifteens Results

420's - BYS
MYC members Current National Champs Nick Sharman James Grogan are now for the third consecutive year State Champions 
1st Nick Sharman and James Grogan Azzura 55149
8th Sophie Jackson and Ella Sharman LOL 55166
17th Lily Richardson and Z. Blochlinger VMG 53154
20th Stephanie Lee and Rommie Abbott Twice the Fun 51383
Click Here for 420 results

Optis
Well done to the 19 Myc kids that competed in the state titles at Sandringham on the weekend. Myc won best dressed award. Lots of new skill learnt along the way at a well run event.
Some incredible Results
6 in the Top 15.
Top 3 under 12 Victorians, James Jackson, Lachie Weber and Jack Eickmeyer
16th Green Fleet Thomas Morgan Payler Thomahawk #919
7th Intermediate Fleet Thomas Hutchison  Opthomas #837
9th Sonic Dash Jay James Sonic Dash #978
11th Edmund Stewardson Fllying Finn #487
Click  Here for All Opti Results.
​
Laser Radial
A family of champions
2nd Rhett Gowans 210174
7ths Tyrone Gowans  206043
Click Here for All Laser Radial Results

Click Here for States 2016 Picture Gallery

Throughout the world, around one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed every year by plastics, either entangled and strangled or choked and starved.  As we all love our Bay, MYC is saying no to disposable plastic bottles.  We would love you all to bring your refillable aluminum or refillable BHP free bottles down to the club - let's get this happening straight away, especially at the Club Marine Youth Championship  Regatta being held here soon! (If you need to purchase a bottle we have BPA free one's available from the office for $12)

For more info on plastic pollution click here

MYC features in:
MP News p14 "Sailing Champs at club's 70th."
Mornington Magazine p30 "U3A members learn to sail at MYC"
it includes Quote of the Week:-
"They have been a "spunky" group and our yacht club members will welcome them."
 Michelle Pickford

​MP News 15 March 2016 Click Here

Would you like to be involved?
I am very excited to be launching GOSS on Tuesday the 12th of April at Mornington Yacht Club at 10am to 2pm. An exciting initiative that enables girls/women to either get back out on the water or come and try their hand at sailing.  
GOSS encourages mums with little ones to come along and have 1/2 an hour to their own whilst their little ones are watched over at the club.  
So, I am looking for some assistance to make this work.  
Are you available to come along and help take some enthusiastic girls sailing?  I envisage using flying fifteens, 420's for those interested and if we could get access to a trailable or keelboat, that would just be terrific.   Of course there is also the social aspect of the session, good conversation and just becoming involved with the club.  
If you are available to help could you please email me by Easter - that would be wonderful.
Or for further information please call me on 0449 508 963.  Michelle Pickford, Training & Development

More information on Facebook.

Click Here to see the full picture gallery

What an amazing Night. Mornington Yacht Club celebrate in  style!

6 superb food stations . The most popular being the French Champagne and Oysters, Vietnamese Squid Salad and the Japanese Yakatori.
The Rocks and their staff were simply so professional in their service and their efficient rubbish clearing. Rob, Lisa and Mia de Santis and Kirstine Kelly put so much effort and planning and preparation to make it a success. 

The entertainment Wendy Stapleton band with Wendy, Paul Norton and Michael Christiano are some of Australia's finest musicians and singers whilst Solo Guitarist and Singer Dan Palamara  was brilliant and complimented Wendy so well.

The drinks flowed all night and  there was never a wait of more than a couple of minutes. Typically the Bundy Opti bar was popular with the Yachties.

The atmosphere was a really happy one and often it was hard to hear simply because of the amount of chatter between mates, old acquaintances and new friends.

The night would not have happened if it was not for Jacko, Jen Boden and Bev Donnellan. We can sincerely thank these incredible persons for the vision, planning and the work.  There are many more to thank but the list is too big and I do not want to offend any person by accidentally leaving them off the list. 

Congratulations to Annie Gummow for winning on the night a weekend in an ultimate BMW machine thanks to MORNINGTON BMW.

Finally thanks to all those that attended and i am sure it will be one of the social highlights of 2016 in Mornington.

SMOOCH Twilight Race Series Race  # 4
A beautiful night again with 40 Boats competing. 
Special mention to Kellie Knowles on Take One whom crossed the finish line a good 4 minutes ahead of the fleet but starting 4 minutes early.
Handicapping worked really well for an exciting finish with the first 15 boats finishing within 3 minutes of each other.
Congratulations to Matthew Hazelwinkle on Etchells "Pale and Stout" winning.
Leading the series is back marker KISS - Greg Scherwinski.
Click Here for Results
49 boats have now entered this series.
Thanks Anita and  SMOOCH for sponsoring.

Div 1,2 and 3 Aggregate Race  9  and Championship Series Race 5
Great to see so many boats today and the club so busy with Soiree preparations.
Seals played alongside Retriever watching and amusing themselves with the many late starters.
 Click Here for Aggregate Series results
Click here for Championship Series Results

Etchells and FF15's Aggregate Series Race 18
Click here for results

Thank you Tower Volunteers, On Water Volunteers and BBQ Volunteers

Thank you John Underwood for his hard work in making this happen and Bob Armstrong for the photo.
New lower rails and cross beams still required as part of the maintenance schedule.

Sincere condolences to Anne, Marc and John Hall for the passing away  of their father and MYC founding member Bruce Hall. Bruce Hall was most respected in the sailing community and loved his Mornington Yacht Club. He began at Mornington Yacht Club at a time when he was Commodore at Frankston Yacht Club and owned and sailed a "Rose" class 22 ft sloop called Rose Marie. This was his courting boat and married his wife Pamela soon after. At Mornington Yacht Club he was an extremely active member as Rear Commodore and Sailing Committee with roles which included "Course Setting" and "Handicapping". His son John advised that Handicapping "drove him nuts".  

​Bruce is well remembered for the boats he owned including

• Tania IV  - A Top Hat
• Cassie II - The 1st 30ft Endeavour in Victoria
• Checkmate(1978-1985 approx.) . Compass 38 ft. Famous for winning the 1981 Melbourne to Devonport, Bruce competed in many other blue water races. Flagship on Opening Days in the early 1980's and cruising in the Whitsundays with many many MYC members on board.
• Take One - S80 class. Still at club today , Same colours and now owned by MYC member Kellie Knowles.

Funeral is to be held on the Gold Coast  but a memorial is expected in Mornington and tba.
I am sure many MYC members have fond memories of Bruce.

The Special Sailing Instructions for the 2016 Queenscliff Destination Race have now been published.

Please use the the MYC website menu:  "Sailing >> Special Sailing Instructions"  to get a copy, or, you could just click here to keep it speedy.

This event added a Buzz to the Schnapper Point Regatta Weekend. 13 school teams competed in the John and Helen Middleton Trophy School series.

The last heat next week will be be decided at Davey's Bay Yacht Club.
On the weekend Mentone Grammar School beat both of the top teams and is now tied in top spot with Scotch College, Melbourne. Both teams have 10 wins from 14 races.St Michael's Grammar School fell two spots to third with only the one win in four races. They are now tied with The Peninsula School both with 9 wins from 13 races. These teams will race each other next Saturday and the champion will be decided!Brighton Grammar School (Official School site) 1sts had three wins from their four races and Haileybury had a good days sailing with two wins from three races. Xavier College had one win and Geelong Grammar School improved during the day and was unlucky not to win against Xavier.
Thanks to Mornington Yacht Club, Ranelagh Club and all the volunteers.
Click here for the Full Picture Gallery

MYC member Mitch Bayliss, along with his father Keith and Sam Duncan (SYC) in "Pipalini" (Castle 650 #147) won division 2 of the YV Trailable Yacht State Titles held at RMYS over the weekend.

Representing Mornington Yacht Club they narrowly edged out former MYC member Glen Collings in a very tight count back!

Congratulations from all of us at MYC.
​
Click here for the link to the results

CREWMAN WANTED FOR WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL GEELONG IN MARCH 2016.

Ron Caddy, “ATHENA”  Randall 29 Sloop, Classic Yacht, requires a crewman starting Friday March 11 leaving Sorrento 1000 – 1100 hrs

Sailing to Portarlington for overnight sleep aboard. Meeting up with other Classic Yachts from CYAA .

Race 1 on Saturday 10 to Geelong.  Sleep aboard Saturday night.
Race 2 on Sunday.  Sleep aboard Sunday night.
Possible race Monday morning on return to Sorrento ETA  1800 hrs.
 
Contact Ron Caddy for further details: 0417 789 440