Anyone up for racing in Sydney?

[Bobc]

Hi guys.

I didn't know where to put this post, but I guess this is probably the best place.

Now, I don't know if you guys are aware, but the 12ft Inters is set to take place at the Flying Squadron in Sydney over Xmas/New Year 2010/2011. I've lobbied a suggestion with the Aussie guys that it might be worth trying to have the event as an "Open 12ft Festival", and get the foiling Rs, the Aussie Cherubs, and the UK Cherubs along (all with different starts and prizes etc.).

Now, at the moment it's purely an idea, and the Aussie 12 guys are at the SFS next week for their Nationals and are going to talk about it between themselves and also discuss it with the club (and the Aus Cherub guys, some of whom will be there).

I said that I'd ask you guys and see whether you're interested, so here it is.

There will be a contingent of 12s going from the UK, so we can probably keep shipping costs sensible by filling a few bix boxes up.

Hopefully see some of you at Weston this weekend (looks lite & sh*te though).

Bob

[peter_barton]

I am very interested. And I have my wife's permission to say so. And Roz wont want to miss out on any fun. I was actually thinking of contacting you and Alan about this recently....we can talk tomorrow.

My preference would be to join the 12' fleet. Am I right in thinking that all I need to do to my Cherub is change the T-foil to a conventional rudder? Anything else?

This is the windy time at Sydney Harbour. The 18' Skiffs used to hold their JJ Champs at this time and usually got plenty wind but since moving it to late Feb they have had a lot of light winds. This is a once in a life time opportunity and with up to 9 (?) boats in a container could be relatively affordable.

Other than most excellent sailing, beaches and lots of other things, a little known fantastic fact about Sydney is that there are direct flights to Hamilton Island, 'The Whitsundays' for after the container door is bolted shut again...

[Bobc]

Ah, not really the response that I was after (the men in blck balaclavas will think that I'm trying to undermine, which I'm not).

Pete, if you want to compete as a 12, then yes, it's just the rudder T foil that you'll have to remove, but you might want to put a bigger kite on it too as a minimum ( No.3).

Coming back to the original question, it might be best if the class responds to me rather perhaps than individuals.

All I really need to know at this point is:-

Either "Yes the class is up for it", or "No we're not interested", and if the class is interested, then a rough idea on the number of boats that the class would expect to take.

To give an idea of costs, I would budget £1000 to get a boat there & back, and £1500 per head for flights. Then there's accommodation etc.

[daryl_wilkinson]

In the present financial climate I think I could only consider it if it was a one way ticket 

Edit: Although if you could find space in the container on the way back for an 'R' foiling system that would be groovey!

[Stuberry]

Bob,

I think as a class the answer would be yes, some people may be interested.

But to get an idea of numbers I suggest we keep the floor open to individuals.

[Tim Noyce]

Bob, from the class's point of view I think this is a great idea but due to the cost I fear that there will only be very few teams who can actually afford it! I'll leave this open to discussion as the more that can go, the merrier!

[Bobc]

Ok, thanks chaps.

I don't want to lobby the guys over there to do it,and then find out that nobody wants (or can afford) to go.

I guess that to make it viable, you'd probably need about a dozen boats to go, and that doesn't sound likely at the moment.

I'll not push the Aussies on it any more at the moment then, and let's see how things unfold in the next 6 months or so.

Hope you had a good weekend at Weston (we binned it after lookig at the weather foecasts).

Hope to see you all soon

Bob