2016 Stawell Yacht Club AGM and Awards
The Stawell Yacht Club held its AGM and Awards evening by the lake at Roscoe’s Bistro on 20th August, where Roger Spratt was unanimously re-elected as Commodore of the club.
Another Moyston-based sailor, Jan Ibs von Seht was crowned club champion, repeating his triumph of 3 years ago.
Commodore Roger and OC Racing George Grellet each reported on another busy and successful year highlighted by a well attended regatta in November which again included a round of the Impulse class Victorian Travellers Series.
The other regional regattas at Port Fairy, Rivoli Bay, Warrnambool and Camperdown were well supported by Stawell sailors this season, averaging 3 boats at each event.
Johno Knight led the charge, competing at all regattas and also proudly representing the club at the state titles in March at Philip Island, overcoming tricky tides for a creditable mid-field finish in a quality field.
Mark Knights was also prominent, achieving a clean sweep in his class at Warrnambool.
The sports boat crew enjoyed several outings, including a 2 race series with the combined Derrinallum and Colac clubs at Lake Purrumbeet, where George Grellet showed his mastery of light wind lake sailing by skippering ‘Major Tom’ to victory.
Mark Knights took the helm for the boat’s third annual appearance at the 4 Points Bay Race out of St Kilda in May, claiming third in class in brutal conditions which forced many retirements.
An interclub event with Ballarat was held for the first time last season, sailing at each club on consecutive days, and is scheduled to be repeated this October.
Due to a lack of water at Green Lake, Horsham sailors opted to travel to Lake Fyans for their weekly competition, which helped create healthy fleet numbers and some close racing.
The club Pennant competition was very close all year, with line honours in the first 6 races being shared by no less than 5 different skippers. Blanket mass finishes were common, involving 7 boats within 50 seconds on one occasion.
Andrew Pearce was a standout performer, however, trading his Laser for an Impulse at the start of the season and gaining immediate success in the new dinghy.
From limited opportunities due to family commitments, Andrew took line honours on 4 occasions to win the Bennett Yardstick Trophy ahead of Johno Knight (3 wins).
Consistent and tactical sailing all year by Jan Ibs von Seht earned him a second club championship in the handicap Pennant competition, just pipping early leader Ross Bennett by 2 points.
Andrew Pearce and Johno Knight shared equal third position, a popular result for two of the most talented performers in the local sailing scene.
Off the water, regular winter working bees kept the clubhouse precinct in order and several members took advantage of a grant through Horsham Yacht Club to obtain their Marine Licences, creating a bigger pool of drivers for the safety vessels.
The club rescue boat underwent a motor and seat upgrade along with fitment of side safety airtanks, thanks in part to a grant from the Lake Fyans Committee of Management.
Commodore Roger thanked all members for their contributions, particularly Jan Ibs von Seht and John and Maureen Knight for their efforts improving and maintaining the facilities, George Grellet as handicapper, Tony Hillier for his ongoing directorship, and Mark Knights as treasurer.
Roger also gratefully acknowledged the generosity of Lake Fyans Holiday Park and the Nash Social Club in providing sponsorship.
The new sailing season commences on Sunday 2nd October.
Another Moyston-based sailor, Jan Ibs von Seht was crowned club champion, repeating his triumph of 3 years ago.
Commodore Roger and OC Racing George Grellet each reported on another busy and successful year highlighted by a well attended regatta in November which again included a round of the Impulse class Victorian Travellers Series.
The other regional regattas at Port Fairy, Rivoli Bay, Warrnambool and Camperdown were well supported by Stawell sailors this season, averaging 3 boats at each event.
Johno Knight led the charge, competing at all regattas and also proudly representing the club at the state titles in March at Philip Island, overcoming tricky tides for a creditable mid-field finish in a quality field.
Mark Knights was also prominent, achieving a clean sweep in his class at Warrnambool.
The sports boat crew enjoyed several outings, including a 2 race series with the combined Derrinallum and Colac clubs at Lake Purrumbeet, where George Grellet showed his mastery of light wind lake sailing by skippering ‘Major Tom’ to victory.
Mark Knights took the helm for the boat’s third annual appearance at the 4 Points Bay Race out of St Kilda in May, claiming third in class in brutal conditions which forced many retirements.
An interclub event with Ballarat was held for the first time last season, sailing at each club on consecutive days, and is scheduled to be repeated this October.
Due to a lack of water at Green Lake, Horsham sailors opted to travel to Lake Fyans for their weekly competition, which helped create healthy fleet numbers and some close racing.
The club Pennant competition was very close all year, with line honours in the first 6 races being shared by no less than 5 different skippers. Blanket mass finishes were common, involving 7 boats within 50 seconds on one occasion.
Andrew Pearce was a standout performer, however, trading his Laser for an Impulse at the start of the season and gaining immediate success in the new dinghy.
From limited opportunities due to family commitments, Andrew took line honours on 4 occasions to win the Bennett Yardstick Trophy ahead of Johno Knight (3 wins).
Consistent and tactical sailing all year by Jan Ibs von Seht earned him a second club championship in the handicap Pennant competition, just pipping early leader Ross Bennett by 2 points.
Andrew Pearce and Johno Knight shared equal third position, a popular result for two of the most talented performers in the local sailing scene.
Off the water, regular winter working bees kept the clubhouse precinct in order and several members took advantage of a grant through Horsham Yacht Club to obtain their Marine Licences, creating a bigger pool of drivers for the safety vessels.
The club rescue boat underwent a motor and seat upgrade along with fitment of side safety airtanks, thanks in part to a grant from the Lake Fyans Committee of Management.
Commodore Roger thanked all members for their contributions, particularly Jan Ibs von Seht and John and Maureen Knight for their efforts improving and maintaining the facilities, George Grellet as handicapper, Tony Hillier for his ongoing directorship, and Mark Knights as treasurer.
Roger also gratefully acknowledged the generosity of Lake Fyans Holiday Park and the Nash Social Club in providing sponsorship.
The new sailing season commences on Sunday 2nd October.
