It is with sadness that we inform club members of the sudden passing of veteran member Tony Cowdry. Tony joined RPNYC in 1983 and owned a Farr 727 Blue Streaker in the 1980s and then Bobby Shafto (S&S 1/2 tonner). He was a member of the sailing committee in the 1990s and the club’s handicapper. He raced Bobby Shafto regularly, often with his daughter Adrienne, on the harbour, and in the twilight, two handed and single handed racing. Bobby Shafto also competed in the offshores for many years, winning on handicap in the right conditions. Condolences to his wife Dawn,…
Author: Deb Williams
Written by Sarah Stevenson 16 December 2022 was a calm, almost windless, and overcast day. Not ideal conditions for seasoned sailors but this greenhorn, who’s only done three Gin Series races and an Island Bay race, was ecstatic at the low wind (sorry Geoff!) We set off from Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club at 10am, redoing the start as we suspected we were over. We weren’t alone – three of us (The Guarantee, Rascal and Gucci) went back just to be sure. As our skipper said at the time, if you’re not over the line now and then you’re not…
Friday 9th December, the prospect of getting a race away were looking slim as the rain bucketed down most of the afternoon and the breeze was disappearing. Northerly 1-5 knots and rain, not a great forecast. I made it finally after a slow trip in through the traffic. Steve, Angela and my fellow crew mates had ZIGZAG ready to go. The crew included two recent Grads Brett & Joanne (Jo) as well as regulars Joe and Paul. A couple of boats were out early, including Zimmerframe trying out their innovative jury boom set up – good on them. The breeze…
Photo: Midnight Rambler 1998 Sydney Hobart. Photo credit: Richard Bennett Is the Sydney to Hobart race on your bucket list? Ever wondered what it was like in the 1998 storm edition of that race? Join us on Wednesday 15 March for an evening with Ed Psaltis, skipper of Midnight Rambler, the winner of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart. Tickets are $30, all welcome (not just club members) and the bar will be open from 6pm. Ed will begin his talk at 8pm to allow competitors in the His and Hers race, part of Club Week, to join in. Ed sailed…
It was a 9.30am start at the Gucci boat shed for a quick catch up with the crew (The Gucci boys and Debs) and load the boat. And then we are off, We drop the mooring buoy with the knowledge it’s going to be a long race and hoping the wind stays in. Motoring around to the start line we see the first of our competition Blink fully revamped heading up to the start. We round the White Lady and see for the first time the wind pressure is 15- 20 knots as we line up for the start. The…
The forecast for the Barton Marine Brothers Island Offshore Race was an interesting one, with a dying south-easterly and later in the evening a transition into the north east. Five competitive yachts were ready to take on the challenge. The script could not have been better for what unfolded in this race – the close game of chess was on. A downwind start off the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club’s start line had some good puffs to get you through the compression zone at Greta Point and slingshot you down the bay, only to go fluky after Shelly…
Two years ago I had never heard of a Rum Race, let alone a gybe, a jib, a halyard or the many other strange terms used in sailing. But two years ago, four days after retiring, I took the learn to sail course. This was after spending many evenings, over many years, window shopping for a yacht on TradeMe. But never having the time to do anything with one had I bought one. I liked it. Yep I thought there could be some fun to be had sailing, so I joined the Club. I did a few trips out on…
The direction of the tiller remains a mystery to me, still a little going forwards, but totally mind blowing in reverse!! I am that guy… as I frustratingly curse myself for getting it wrong once again!!! The truth be known, I’m no sailor….yet!! I feel privileged, yet somewhat unworthy writing this brief story to members with such impressive sailing and racing pedigrees. However, the breeze appeared to favour us on Friday, so here we are, I humbly bow in all your presence, and will no doubt trail pitifully at the back of the fleet from here on in, so I’d…
In our 140th season the Sailing Committee has introduced a new series – the Gin Series, sponsored by Graham Norton GiN. Here’s 5 reasons to come gin racing: 1. You’re doing rum racing but not quite ready for the Saturday championship racing and you’d like to race a bit more. 2. You’ve won the rum in rum racing already this season and are looking for the next addition to the drinks locker. 3. You don’t have enough crew or experienced crew and are looking to build and train up a crew. 4. You don’t want to do windward leeward races…
1993 a last race in Auckland on REVS (the Ross 1066); 1995 a last stand on the hull that was the growing REVS that we all know here in Wellington (the Ross 12 version.) Two little boys, and a 9 year gap until one day in early 2002 a 1966 Wagstaff skiff Moth was donated to Jo by a departing Church member. Straight down to Paremata Boating Club, Michael into learn-to-sail, me back into racing. One year later, Josh was into learn-to-sail as well. And in that year, three wrecked Z Class (Zeddy) hulls were dumped onto my lawn -…