Category: News

Happy New Year to all RC Sailing enthusiasts!

This is going to be a big one for us with the 2017 RC Laser Championship of Nations kicking off on 6 November on the Gold Coast. Registrations are coming in now, so don’t delay in getting yours in. For more information and registration go to http://www.lasers2017.org  where you will find the Notice of Race and the registration form.

We are also underway with an upgrade to this website that will make the shopping and checkout systems more simple, as well as making login to the forums easier. We know that in the past year the process of purchasing RC boats and parts on the site has been frustrating at times and we are looking forward to our new simplified process soon.

Over the past year, we’ve been able to publish reports, stories and photos here because members of RC Laser fleets around the country have emailed us their news and photos.  We appreciate it so much when you do send us information, so keep it coming for 2017. We can publish details of your fleet and where and when you sail, as well as reports, news stories and photos from your regattas.  You can send info to cliff [at] radiosail.com.au

Did you know that we have an RC Sailing Facebook page? The page has been up and running for a few years now and is growing all the time. It’s easy to connect with us there,  just like the page and add it to your favourites. That way you will see the posts in your news feed.  The Facebook page has photos of events, notices of upcoming events and comments from others in the RC Laser community. https://www.facebook.com/RadioControlSailingAustralia

All the best to all of you for 2017.

Beth and Cliff

Radio Control Sailing Australia.

 

 

 

The ‘Sun’ Sets on a Successful 2016 Radio Control Laser National Championships

The Yarrawonga 2016 Radio Control Laser National Championships hosted by Patterson Lakes Radio Model Yacht Club over 17 – 18^th September and has finally come and gone.

With the sails and sailing gear safely stowed away for the next event, one can’t help but to reflect on the great performance from many our RC Laser Sailors this past weekend.

A Record Number of Competitors

With a record number of 42 competitors and 3 fleets (A, B & C), completing a good number of races proved to be a challenge during the two day regatta held at the Yarrawonga Yacht Club.  It was fantastic to see several new RC laser competitors and it took a few racing events to hit a smooth and fast rhythmic turnaround between fleets.

 

 

Come rain or shine, we ‘power’ on…

Saturday obliged us with excellent weather and good winds, and by lunch break, three radio controlled laser races (9 heats) had already been completed with Kirwan Robb taking an early lead followed closely by Jurgen Luther. This great start was in part due to the excellent launching facilities provided by the Yarrawonga Yacht Club. Four more races were held by the end of the extended day’s racing with Graham Brown finding himself in the lead on countback.

Saturday night rounded off a successful day’s sailing with a dinner held at the Yarrawonga Yacht Club, attended to by 78 people. Special mention goes to the organisers of this event especially Wendy Scholtes and her many helpers from the Yarrawonga Yacht Club.

Sunday’s weather proved foul with wet conditions delaying the start of racing until 11.30am.  Although wet underfoot with light fluky wind conditions, 27 radio control skippers braved the elements to finish a further three races for the day. Given the high flood waters in the region, the fast moving current played havoc with those not used to sailing under such conditions.

Nevertheless, the weather didn’t dampen spirits for long and the weekend proved to be a great success, thoroughly enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge thank you to Patterson Lakes Radio Model Yacht Club, Yarrawonga Yacht Club and to all the people who made it happen – you all did a fantastic job!

A shout out goes to:

• Scott Fleming – Event organiser
• Frank Katers – PRO
• Mario Gulic – Assistant
• Jayne Fleming and Lynda Katers – Scorers
• All the ‘behind the scene’ helpers: Tony Smith, Thomas Hutchison YYC, Noel McPherson DAC, Cliff Bromily, Peter Yates, Rod and Bill

Not to mention our generous event sponsors:

• Radio Control Sailing Australia
• Yarrawonga-Mulwala Visitor Information Centre

Last but not least, a big thankyou to all the competitors for making the journey to the 2016 RC Laser National Championships.
Given the country location, everyone had to travel, although the Queenslanders could have packed a bit more sunshine into their kit.

2016 Radio Control Laser National Championships Results

• 1^st place – Kirwan Robb
• 2^nd place – Graham Brown
• 3^rd place – Scott Fleming
• Sportsmanship Award – Peter Haymes (Donated by Sail Prizes)

 

Words by Mario Gulic and Scott Fleming
Photos by Cliff Bromiley

The 2016 WA RC Laser State Championships hosted by WAnderers Radio Sailing Club was held at the South Perth Lake on Sunday 13 November.

A perfect Perth spring day was in store for the nine competing RC Lasers with easterly breezes in the morning and a SW sea breeze in the afternoon.

The morning course with its variable easterly breeze saw the fleet on A-sails with multiple race winners throughout the morning.

 

Early leader was Dave Pruden with the rest of the fleet engaged in close competition looking for the shifts. Honours were evenly spread with Brian, Dave and Garry successful early on when the breeze freshened up.

After lunch, the fleet changed to B-sails as a moderate sea breeze arrived and a new course was set.
This saw Rod, Fred (with C-sail) and Andy pick up the pace to give Dave some tough competition.
All in all, 17 heats were sailed and with overall consistency being important, the end results were very close.
Nearly all skippers in the fleet received a placing in the heats throughout the day.

Once scores were tallied, Dave Pruden was crowned our State Champion again for this year, followed by Rod in second place and Fred narrowly jumping into third by one point from Dave Bedford to round out the podium.

Huge thanks goes to our Secretary, Dave Bedford, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get the event up and running. Not to mention our PRO, Glen Dawson, and Ian from RSAWA both of whom worked hard throughout the day setting courses, starts and scoring.
Glen’s role as PRO was exceptional with our usually casual and social sailors receiving great assistance from him with sailing rules interpretations and setting up sails.

Overall, it was a great day’s sailing for all.
Thanks to Adam for the photos and to our expat Brit Andy and newbie Lachlan for coming along and joining in the regatta.

The final 2016 WA RC Laser State Championships scores are published below:

Congratulations to Jurgen Luther, winner of The 2016 South Australian RC Laser Series

Jurgen won five out of the nine 2016 South Australian RC Laser Series rounds (one round was abandoned) and finished second in two other rounds.
Adrian Heard finished second, three points behind Jurgen, and Lindsay Sawyer, a further eight points behind Adrian, was third. Lindsay was also recognised as the most improved RC Laser sailor for the year.

And what an exciting year it has been…
2016 welcomed John Nieuwenhuizen and John Berry to our fleet, and with six boats starting in three of the last four rounds, it certainly has been a great year of RC Laser Sailing, with a well supported series.

A well deserved shout out goes to:
Adrian Heard for organising the 2016 South Australian RC Laser Series;
Mawson Lakes Model Yacht Club for providing the facilities;
and last but not least to all the RC Laser sailors for their enthusiastic participation.

We look forward to good size fleets in the 2017 series.

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The last three rounds of the 2016 South Australian RC Laser Series are outlined below.

Round 8 : Saturday 3^rd September Mawson Lakes

Results:
1^st Jurgen Luther; 2^nd Lindsay Sawyer; 3^rd Adrian Heard; 4^th Mark Easto; 5^th John Nieuwenhuizen; 6^th Lou Lamberts

Another gusty north-westerly day with winds varying between 5-15 knots and a moderate chop on the lake.
Over the eight races, it was hard to decide between B and C rigs, with only Jurgen using a B rig for all races.
After winning the first two races, Jurgen had a downwind collision with Adrian, which led to him being dismasted and having to retire from the race. Lindsay prospered in the strong winds and could have won the day had it not been for a collision at the start line of the last race with Jurgen, which saw both of them retiring from that race.
Lou developed problems with the spring on his mainsheet nylon line and only sailed three races.
Mark had a consistent day in the middle of the fleet, and John had a couple of thirds.
The general consensus was that it was a tough day, with lots of nosediving and some difficulty getting about in strong gusts. On the final result sheet Jurgen and Lindsay had nett 10 points and Adrian 11 points.
Jurgen won on a countback – close racing at its best.

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Round 9 : Saturday 1^st October West Lakes

Results:
1^st Jurgen Luther, 2^nd John Nieuwenhuizen, 3^rd Mark Easton, 4^th John Berry

With Adrian Heard and Lindsay Sawyer both on leave after the national titles, there were four starters including newcomer John Berry.
All sailors started on A rigs but after two races dropped to B rigs.
Three races later all were on C rigs and wondering if they would soon be pulling the D rigs out of the bag.
With the wind out of the northwest there was a shifting wind near the windward mark.
As the afternoon wore on the sun glare on the water became a big problem making the windward mark very difficult to see. When sailing the boat on starboard tack across the lake it almost became invisible. This was the major factor in the decision to call it a day. With the time taken for numerous rig changes we managed to complete eight races.
Other than John B, who was having his baptism of fire, everyone managed at least one win.
Mark sailed well earlier in the day but struggled somewhat as the wind got stronger. Considering his short time in RC Lasers John N. handled the conditions very well. At the end of the day he and Mark were separated by only one point with John claiming second overall.
The conditions got increasingly difficult for John B who had gear issues and was without a C rig. He couldn’t continue after race five but I’m sure he learnt a lot from the day and will be back again much stronger.
Other than a DNF with rudder problems, Jurgen’s experience kept him at the front making him the winner on the day.

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Round 10 : Tuesday 1^st November Mawson Lakes

Results:
1^st Adrian Heard, 2^nd Jurgen Luther, 3^rd Lindsay Sawyer, 4^th Mark Easton, 5^th Lou Lamberts, 6^th John Berry

A very pleasant day with six boats on the water, but with the westerly wind varying between 5-10 knots it was difficult to decide whether to carry an A or a B rig over the eight races.
Lindsay and Adrian sailed all but one race with B rigs, but Mark, Jurgen, Lou and John persisted with A rigs.
Lindsay, who despite his final position, was always near the front of the fleet, often got off to flying starts on the first windward work, usually with Jurgen in tow. Much to the annoyance of these two, Adrian had good downwind speed, and often caught the two of them for the final windward leg. Needless to say these three often had close finishes, with Mark and Lou sometimes up there as well.
John had two fourths in the first two races, and managed to finish all other races – some with an overpowered A rig.

Race six, which witnessed some extraordinary scenes at the leeward mark, was eventually won by Lindsay.
Leading up to this, Lou (A rig) and Adrian (B rig) were at the front of the fleet followed closely by Jurgen (A rig) and Lindsay (B rig). Just as Lou and Adrian reached the mark, they were hit by a 12 knot gust causing their boats to nosedive and swing wildly to windward. Enter Lindsay and Jurgen, with Lindsay maintaining control and going cleanly around the mark and Jurgen’s boat pirouetting in sympathy with the others.
After Lindsay’s sweet manoeuvre, Adrian recovered next, followed by Jurgen and Lou.

A great 2016 South Australian RC Laser Series was had by all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words: Adrian Heard

Photo: Joy Sawyer

Saturday Radio Yachting at Yarrawonga plenty of fun for RC Laser sailors

 

Saturday the 22^nd October saw the second competitive radio yachting round of the Yarrawonga Yacht Club Radio Controlled Division for the 2016 series.

RC Sailors were greeted with winds up to twenty knots with D rigs on the Lasers and B rigs on the Dragon Flites. Racing in the confines of the lagoon, Peter from Ballarat showed the fleet of 5 RC yachts how it’s done. He was closely followed by Rob from Sydney. It was a great day and a lot was learnt by all.

The next sailing of the YYC RCD will be held on the Saturday 5^th of November at 1 pm at the Yarrawonga  Yacht Club.

Visitors most welcome.