Well where do I start, what a weekend. With the extra hot weather it was always going to be a challenge over the weekend.
Wasn't the new venue for Cantech Engineering's Breakfast with the stars, a great spot. It was very pleasant to wander around under the gum trees and look at all those great boats.
Scrutineering went off great, except for those who failed to notice the"NO STANDING" Signs along one side of the street, a fine is on the way for those guys!
The very warm night didn't stop those attending the launch night from enjoying themselves either, but as it was still over 35 when I left at 11.00 that night I knew it was going to be a bad day Saturday.
From all accounts the static display was well attended with a lot of fantastic machinery on display for the crowd to enjoy.
The new social format running on Sunday morning was well received by those competing in it, Had a few hiccups with social skiers not taking notice of the fact that the river was closed, but we stopped them, and racing was underway.
The regular afternoon racing from 5 Mile went off well, with the Superclass guys showing what we've always said about our sport, that we're all a BIG family! They patiently waited at the top of the ramp to put their boats in while A team worked feverishly to get their boat going to tow a little tadpole. Thanks Guys, it was greatly appreciated but the little skiers Mum and she wanted us to thank you!
The new Top 40 format was well received, and all was going to plan till we had a boat loose steering and end up crashing into a houseboat, which brought out the first ever RED FLAG in the history of the southern 80. it only affected the last couple of boats in this event.
Sunday morning dawned but the cool change promised Didn't appear, even though the temp wasn't as extreme as the day before. the new format of all the expert running except for top 40, was going great and made posting of times easier for officials, as classes were able to be accounted for a lot quicker.
But while we were going along great, the rest of the state was in dire trouble, with the bush fires, which resulted in the government declaring a state of emergency and recalling our paramedics off the site to work elsewhere, so the Moama Water Sports Club committee had no other alternative but to Abandon racing and once again out came the RED Flags. whilst the majority of classes were completed, some weren't due to some of them being part of the Top 40, yet to start.
The committee will now have to consult with their Chief and Assistant Judges and SRA to work out what we decide to do re these classes.
I hope that every one has a safe trip home, and we look forward to seeing you all over the weekend of 12,13, 14 Feb 2010.
Monday, February 9, 2009
WHAT A WEEKEND!
Friday, February 6, 2009
IT'S HERE AT LAST!!!
Well here we are, Friday morning of the 2009 Club Marine Southern 80 and it's going to be BIG.
WE have Big entry numbers, BIG number of Boats, BIG number of people and BIG BIG BIG Weather temperature forecasts.
With the forecast for Saturday to be around 47 and Strong winds, A bit like the Thursday at the Aussie Titles, I would like to ask that you all take care, drink lots to hydrate, use a good sunscreen, look out for each other and try to find a shady spot. BUT PLEASE.don't swim in the river during the race, it's TOO dangerous for the competitors!~
I would also like to ask that if you see any of the Moama Water Sports Club Committee over the weekend, take the time to Say 'Thanks' to them for putting on such a great event for you all. they all are volunteers and have given up many, many hours over the past few weeks to get this together and once you've gone home, they still have many more hours left working to clean up and Debrief with all the Emergency personnel etc.
Hope you all have a very successful weekend and travel safe over the weekend.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Countdown continues
Another day and another day closer we are. Everything seems to be happening and at times I feel like I've got it all covered and then other times,I wake up at 2.00am and remember things that I haven't yet done and how short the time is really!!!
The office is starting to get calls from teams who want to substitute a boat coz theirs is broken down, or perhaps Stuck In Cairns and can't get out coz of the floods! While we will try to help as much as possible Please Remember, As per SRA's new seeding rules, We have seeded in Classes this Year! NOT overall seeding. This means, that you need to make a change suitable to your class. 'Like for Like'. If there is a spot we may be able to move your class BUT if there's not, You need to find a similar boat as a Replacement.
Also if your original boat was listed to attend scrutineering, then your replacement boat needs to attend instead. This will then help with any confusion as to whether you attend or not.
For those lucky enough not to come out in the draw to attend scrutineering, don't forget to present your log book at Briefing/Paperwork collection. I
f your log book had a note in it re fixing something, then you'll need to bring your boat so that the scrutineer can see that it has been fixed and sign off on it!
