Travelling to the Nationals

Boxed in Sharpies




The Nationals are only a couple of days away now. In the lead up to Christmas the Vita Brevis team has had a hectic preparation schedule. The preparation payed off with Vita Brevis currently leading the Traveller series and taking out the Country championship in Busselton.

The Boat was packed into a container which has now arrived at Black Rock sailing Club. Brendon and David are currently making their way to Melbourne via road. Helping out Scott Olsen on the Melbourne leg of his journey to Sydney. They are due in Melbourne on Christmas day. Rhyss will be flying in rock star style on Boxing Day just in time for the cricket at the G.
Looks like it will be a Cracker of a game.

Then its onto setup and measure for the nationals.

Merry Christmas to Everyone

Huck scott complete

The Last heats of the Huck Scott winter series were completed on Saturday with a fresh 12-15knot breeze from the North. Rottnest was intermittently covered by cloud which provided a good breeze to sail the Sharpie in. Vita Brevis completed 7 out of 8 races in the series.

Overall it has been a light series of races with not alot of swell however the It was still good to get out on the water. FSC was meant to give the crew a good test at using the power of the waves which is the most similar to black rock conditions. The last 2 heats and a practice sessions have turned on the swell a bit however there is much practice still to be done.

There is one more practice session left in Freo before the Boat moves back to MBSC for practice sessions.

Thankyou to FSC Dinghy club and its Volunteers for putting on an enjoyable series.

VB

Results will follow soon when they are announced

Frostbite Results

 Series Results [Class Pos] for Sharpie up to Race 5 (Drops = 0)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew. From Sers Score Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   924/893 Blur M Higgins ? Chisholm ? Sanderson BSYC 5.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
2   912 Wet Dream S Higgins P Marsh D O'Toole LBSC 19.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 4.0 2.0
3   915 Don't Poke The Bear T Turton A ?? R ?? BSYC 21.0 3.0 6.0 3.0 3.0 6.0
4 3.0S 911 Vita Brevis D Meehan R Edwards B Green Mandurah 22.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 5.0 10.0
5   920 Bread Run H Jason I Mark D James ASC 22.0 6.0 2.0 7.0 2.0 5.0
6   831 2 MC's & 1 DJ J Heywood B Littledike N Fewster ASC 30.0 5.0 5.0 4.0 7.0 9.0
7   896 Moe's Tavern D Snoad P Kirk B Osborne ASC 39.0 9.0 7.0 6.0 6.0 11.0
8   925 TBA K Peter R Jamie D Pete BSYC 48.0 13.0 8.0 10.0 9.0 8.0
9   817 Nightmare B Flint R Kelly J Flint PLYC 52.0 10.0 11.0 8.0 10.0 13.0
10 4.0S 866 Dozen Matter P Barwick D Nixon R Gossink PLYC 53.0 8.0 13.0 13.0 15.0 4.0
11   884 Pre-Mature C Martin E Fisher M Ablett ASC 53.0 7.0 12.0 15.0 12.0 7.0
12 8.0S 832 Murderess T Carlson W Grey D Morgan PLYC 55.0 12.0 9.0 11.0 8.0 15.0
13   917 Finger Jam B Russ A Wright L Hookings PLYC 55.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 11.0 14.0
14   830 Sugar Daddy B Windram C Larkin A Hughes ASC 66.0 14.0 14.0 12.0 14.0 12.0
15   878 Rage Factor N Deussen J Bannister F Paterson BSYC 75.0 18.0S 18.0S 18.0S 18.0F 3.0
16   791 Salted Nuts P Kelly T Tapley S Kelly PLYC 78.0 18.0S 15.0 14.0 13.0 18.0F
17   731 The Gong Show C Trenberth E Russ A Russ TBYC 81.0 15.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 18.0F

 If only we had a drop

The Long drive home

After the weekend series finishes while other crews soaked up the presentations we decided to get some miles on the clock towards home. Our aim was to shave 1 hour off our record by reducing our break times. The result however was quite funny.

On the way over Dave was boasting how he got into our 2 hour rotation of driving sleeping and peeing. Unfortunately we spent our time stopping for Dave to pee on the side of the road in between the 2 hour stops. After contemplating peeing into a macca's cup for half an hour and how he should do it. I offered to stop for him. This happened 3 times including making sneaky excuses to stop to check the trailer. It must of been the only thing keeping him awake as he nodded off soon after releiving himself.

We managed to make good time in the end and didn't see too much wildlife. However we did have fun aiming for the mice as they ran across the road in front of us. Our new trailer worked well and we now deserve a nice shower to get rid of the BO.

Cheers

Rhyss

Hard day at the office

Sunday we had an amendment to the program with the race committee opting for 4 races to make up for the lack of wind on Saturday. The wind built to a steady 8-12 knot NE breeze which allowed for great racing between the fleet.
 
Today we worked the boat hard to achieve the following the results: 5, 2, 3, 2. We were very happy with this performance although in the end we finished overall in 4th position as there was no drops in the series and we had to carry a 10 from day 1. Although disappointing we are pleased with our result as we really put the challenge to the SA fleet.
 
Although the sun was shining the water temperature was the coldest we had experienced yet. During the races we were working hard enough to keep warm but in between the temperature started to kick in. Finishing 2nd in the last race allowed us to make a swift dash to the beach and start to pack up the boat ready for the journey home.
 
Blur sailed a perfect series in the end with 5 bullets proving their experience. Congratulations to Mal Higgins and his crew. Even after they managed to swirl their complementary bottle of Port before the finish of the first race (Mal Suggests this is their tradition)
 
The Port Lincoln frostbite is definitely a regatta to remember and we would like to thank the Club and the SA Sharpie Association for their hospitiality. We unfortunately couldn't stay for the presentations as we needed to start heading home. We will post overall results when we get a copy of them.
 
Cheers from the Vita Brevis Team
(2 hours from Perth with a 6 pack of Corona left)

Breeze dies out

We managed to get 1 race in yesterday out of 3 with the breeze fading to absolute nothing by the end of the race. Everyone gave up heading straight back for the bar using any means possible to get back. The use of spinnaker poles as oars on the bow was a popular method. We waited for a tow in.

We finished mid fleet with the race getting off to a shaky start with the breeze shifting left at the start when we were at the boat. We recovered well but it was all on at the first bottom mark we had gybe set and were screaming in all lined up when the boats behind us decided they were going to barge in at the bottom mark. After that the course had became one board upwind while continually fading.

We drifted to the finish line with a new rule being invented. If I mioved and it was felt in the boat I got punched from both sides. Anyway it was a good race but we had hoped for more Hopefully today brings more with more races scheduled if any breeze blows

Cya

Rhyss

We made it

After a 26 hour long drive we have arrived in port lincoln.
 
Unfortunately the winds are as light as they are in WA with 0-5 knot SE/SW predicted. At the moment (see picture) there is nothing!
 
Last night we sat in the bar (probably with bad BO) and blew all the red dust out of our throats with a nice cold corona. The bar maid Hayley is very nice after we walked in we were offered a beer straight away. We have to remember to save our cans and bottles as there is a refund in SA for 5c each. Geoff could make a small fortune by the end of the weekend with amount of diet coke brendon has drunk
 
Todays racing consists of 3 back to back races starting at 1:30. So for now its off to unpack the boat and get ready for sailing.
 
Cheers
 
Rhyss

Sights of the Nullabor

You never know what you are going to see on the Nullabor but while on our way across towing the sharpie we noticed a slightly familiar sight on the back of a truck. Two fireballs being sent to MOFSC by the Fireball association in preparation for the fireball worlds. The truck pulled up for refueling at the Nullabor Roadhouse.
 
Hope they arrive safely... 
 
Cheers
 
Rhyss Edwards

Prep for road trip

This weekend the Vita Brevis team are going on a road trip to represent WA Sharpies at the Port Lincoln frostbite series in SA. The Plan is to Drive the boat over the Nullabor taking somewhere around 30 hours to complete. In order to do this we have added a storage box to the trailer to protect the boat from any stones (it also has a full boat cover). It also allows us to remove weight from the boat for traveling and hopefully will give a a smoother ride from more weight ben added to the trailer.
Work is nearly complete as well as a bearing service. We are departing Thursday lunchtime and hope to be home Monday night.

I will post photos and updates of the trip as long as i can get www.

Huck Scott Winter Series

Saturday was the first 2 heats of the Fremantle Sailing Club Huck Scott Winter Series. The Cold morning saw Brendon rock up in a pair of UGG boots then complaining about his cold wetsuit.

There was a northerly breeze of about 10 Knots and the 2 heats went smoothly. Our focus was more on technique than racing with the team focusing on weight movement during the lulls and puffs. We are waiting for Impact to come out from the repair shop so we can have another boat to train against.

Upwind the Tasar 'unleashed' was fairly competitive with us proving that the upwind planing ability of the Tasar Hull. Downwind however Brendon was able to trapeze in the puffs and Vita was off.

Next race is a road trip to Port Lincoln for the SA frostbite series on the 12th & 13th of June. The team is setting off on the 10th and Due back on the 15th. Updates of the trip will be posted.

Cheers

Vita

The Road Ahead

As winter begins a lot of sailors go into hibernation (or play golf). However the Vita Brevis crew will only be taking a short break before continuing our development program.

Our Goal is Simple: Top 5 at Melbourne

To do this we are focusing on all aspects of our sailing to achieve a the goal.
From personal development, training, racing and boat development.

Upcoming Series Regattas we will be participating in:
Huck Scott Winter Series FSC
Port Lincoln Frostbite Series 5&6th June (road trip)

Cheers

Vita Brevis Team

State Championship heats

The weekend of the State championship was upon us and we had a convincing lead going into the last of the heats. Unfortunately we choked slightly and couldn’t seem to get a wind shift in our favor. The breeze was a NE 8-12 knots which had some big shifts in it. Our result for the day was 3rd and 5th. This give away our lead and we were dead level with Craig Mann’s Impact. A lot of thinking was done that night on what we had done wrong with a big day ahead of us on the Sunday.

On Sunday we definitely improved on our performance from the day before with a massive gain in boat handling and tactics. We consistently put the boat in the right position on the course picking pressure and lifts. The breeze was still out of the NE and shifty but there was less remanent swell around. Our result was 2, 1, 2 which was enough to claim the state championship. We were very happy with this result and hope to build on this in the future.

Getting back to normal

After competing in a national title there was a bit of a relaxed preparation for the State championships at MOFSC. Especially with the results obtained so far in the championship. In the lead up to the states Vita Brevis was sailed twice at MOFSC.

Out first time back in the boat at MOFSC saw us competing against Trevor Date and the OTB classes in 3 short windward leeward’s. The races were extremely short lasting just over 10 minutes for the sharpie but much longer for smaller boats like the Optimists. The breeze was an 8-12knt South Westerly. The race was good to shake the cobwebs out as there was a lot of boat handling required in such short races. Our Results were 1, OCS, 1 after we broke the start in race 2 and chose to keep sailing.

The last time we sailed before the states we sailed in a championship heat with the MOFSC OTB class including some 505’s sailed by very experienced keelboat sailors. After breaking the start we quickly gybed and restarted the race. This gybe proved to be a winner sending us off to the beach with pressure. We managed to carry the last of the fading land breeze halfway to the first wing mark where until the sea breeze set in closing the door for downwind sailing for the rest of the fleet. This allowed us to hold a convincing lead for the rest of the race and Win. We were satisfied with the performance and were confident in our preparation for the state championship heats to come

Youtube Summary

View the action from thr 67th Sharpie Nationals on youtube

Showing our true colours

The last heat was raced today with a westerly breeze to start on. Vita Brevis Sailed a good first leg to round the top mark second after one hump or two. But with the fleet hot on our heels we lost a couple of boats after the first light reach to end up 5th at the bottom mark.

By the second top mark rounding the breeze was proving to be very shifty and light but the crew managed to hold claim a 4th around the second top mark rounding after jacko took one small puff off to the left which didnt pay (he finished 7th for the race loosing the series in one tack) This included a short kite hoist on the way to top mark.

The breeze then swung to the southwest on after the third top mark rounding and where many positions changed hands. We ended up finishing third on the last work when northerly died out and we picked a westerly shift.

The result today cemented our efforts for the series and inspired us to push on after yesterdays heartbreaking loss. We ended up finishing 11th overall which we are extremely happy with.

For now it is off to collect our podium result and see the Blur awarded their 2nd Australian championship in 2 years. Well done to them for sailing a consistent series.

A huge commendation to the Sandy Bay Sailing club for a well organised series and to the volunteers for putting in many hours of service. The boats are all packed and ready to make the pilgrimage home.

Thanks for following the blog

Team Vita Brevis

Race 7: An unlucky race

Todays race yeilded a soft breeze which shifted between the north and west. We sailed a good first half and managed to work our way into 3rd position by playing the corners hand shore on the last down wind run. We only conceded 1 position downwind to round the bottom mark in 4th position.

Our last work was heartbreaking when we went to the left hand shore to take advantage of the westerly shift. However as quick as it arrived it left. The 10 boats that went to the left hand shore finished ahead of us as we sat had to eat a knock to get back. The result was shattering. We were unable to protect our position.

Anyway we are trying to put our heartbreak to one side and focus on the last race tomorrow.

Cheers

Rhyss

Sail World Articles


For everyone following the media coverage we made sailworld with a couple of nice photos of the Vita Brevis Team

here are the links

Sail World Article

and

Sail World Article 2

Today was lay day which included a trip to see the sights of TAS from mount wellington (no snow at the moment) and a trip to see the cascade brewry

only 2 more races to go now

Cheers

Rhyss

Heats 4 & 5

Heats 4 & 5 were sailed today in light, variable winds. When BOM forecasting says NE/SW 0 to 20kts they should cancel sailing. We witnessed all of these conditions from being becalmed up to 20knots of pressure in a sailing instant. We slogged our guts out all day trying to put the boat in the right shift but were constantly let down by the next breeze. Even the locals were having trouble finding the breeze

We finished the day with a 17th and 19th. This puts us 12th in the overall standings after 1 drop. Hopefully we can hold onto this or slightly improve after a second drop. It would be nice to be in the top 10.

At current standings it looks like the "Hoodoo" has been broken with South Australian boats sitting in 1st 2nd and 3rd. Tasmania are trying hard with a 4th at the moment but are unlikely to take the championship.

Tomorrow is a lay day so more sight seeing in Tas.

Enjoy your working week

Rhyss

PS Check out the Jane Austin Photography Link for some pics of the fleet

No Racing but impact meets impact


Well what an interesting day. We went down for a normal day of sailing but it was far from. First of all our start of race was delayed due to the King of Derwent race and the fact their start was interfering with our course. Subsequently our race was delayed for an hour. After watching the weather come in over mount wellington the King of the Derwent boats out sailing suffered there were torn kites and masts in the water. Whilst on the beach with the AP flag up some strong gusts came through and in the carpark Impact suffered some damage. The boats on their dollys in the carpark moved during the gusts Impact was blow over and suffered some hull damage. Then the fleet was forced to rig and sit on the beach while the King of derwent continued to get blasted we sat on the beach and held our boats down in the gusts.

Impact has been repaired as new by some experts floating around the Sharpie fleet. Now the race has been postponed to tomorrow with an early start and 2 races planned we are resting and waiting for tomorrow.

Cheers

Rhyss
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