Welcome to the slightly sweaty Thursday Snippets. It hasn't gotten much past 8:30 and it is already over 35 degrees. I hope everyone has found a cool spot to hide from this oppressive heat.

Of course it is always hot at the Albert Sailing Club, and this weekend will be hotter than ever. We have a new beginners training and Melbourne Grammar School training in the morning, our Saturday race in the afternoon and on Sunday we have our Community Service Day for autistic children and their families.  

The seven race Summer Series commences on Saturday, with the Division 1 start scheduled for 2.30. This series will continue through to the 4th of April with breaks for the Top of the Bay Regatta on the 7th of Feb (see below) and the Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix on the 28th of March.  

Ian Fox is the instructor for the beginners training course. For those who haven't caught up with Ian in the last couple of months he has been working for Yachting Victoria as an Instructor with the sailing school alongside Ian Wall, and with the Tackers program at the boatshed. When Ian hasn't been instructing people how to sail he has been out teaching the Hartley 16 fleet a lesson. Ian crewed for Michael Horvath in the Hartley Nationals and took out the national championship (again). I am sure that the beginners course will be a breeze. 

On Sunday 1 February we have our summer junior training program from 10 am and our second Community Service Day for the 2008/09 season. Albert Sailing Club and the Kiwanis Bayside Club will be hosting a BBQ and Boating Event from 11am to 3pm for autistic children and their families from the Southern MOIRA community group. Speak to our club secretary Bill Avallone if you can attend and assist on the day.

Twilight Sailing re-commenced on Tuesday 27 January, and will be conducted each Tuesday until 17 March. A good fleet turned up for a good race in light but consistent breezes. The short informal races start around 6pm, with briefing at or soon after 5:45.

On the following weekend 7/8 February we have a mixed program. On Saturday, the annual Top of the Bay Regatta for the six off-the beach clubs at the top end of Port Phillip will be conducted by Altona Yacht Club in the waters of Port Phillip out from their club. There will be no club racing on Albert Park Lake on the Saturday.

We are looking for a good turnout of Albert SC boats at the regatta, which provides a good opportunity for a competitive sail on the bay. The warning signal for the first Division is scheduled for 2pm, with entries required before the Information Session at 1pm. There is no race fee for entry. The club has good facilities with a grassed rigging area and ample free parking. The club will be open in the morning for pickup of boats and for the Basic Sailing Skills course.

An additional 8 week Basic Skills training program for novice and less experienced members on Sunday afternoons has been added to the club program commencing on Sunday 15 February. A signon sheet for participants on this course is on the noticeboard in the club foyer, and is close to full..

The Volvo Ocean Race Game competitors have been beating there way to Qingdao. This has been a hard fought leg with a number of Albert Sailors doing well, with 8 boats in the top 10,000 for this leg (there is just under 140,000 competitors). Well done to Gary who is the lead boat Albert boat in 1,870th and 75 nautical miles from the finish. 

Thanks

 

Luke & Rod

(Vice and Rear Commodore's)

Saturday: