|
Welcome to the news site of the Queensland International Dragon Association (QLDIDA)
- November
2007 Wonderful news in the shape of ADIOS III a fast Endeavour Dragon
(Australian MK II) formerly a Sydney boat is now packed and on her way
to join the fledgling QLDIDA fleet based at RQYS Manly. This brings
the fleet to five, being Nor'Easter, Redleaf KA40, Tahune AUS123,
Anastasia AUS158, and now Adios III. Welcome!
- November 2007 Former RSYS Commodore, Life Member and class veteran Norman Longworth showed his great harbour knowledge and skill in the Dragon class by winning the NSW State championship in Karabos VIII, sailed over eight heats, three the previous weekend and one each evening during the Twilight Regatta.
- October
2007. Three new Petticrow Dragons are on their way to Sydney! The
spin offs from this are equally exciting. We now have a list of
personal contacts of boat owners on the European Dragon racing circuit
who may want to sell their recent model Petticrow Dragons direct to
Australian buyers. We have the shipping expertise to help any
prospective new owner get their Dragon to Australia without hassle. We
also now have a Petticrow agent in Australia (guess who!) who will
stock a range of parts, particularly the more freight cost intensive
like mast sections and booms to make the Petticrow boats, with their
strong UK service back-up, even more user friendly for Australian
owners. For more information contact Wolf Breit on wb@alushapes.com.au
- September 2007
saw the opening of the Season at RQYS Manly. In addition, QLDIDA
played a small part in the pitch for the Dragon Worlds in Geelong for
2011. The Australians went to Dublin for the Worlds, and while the
sailing was difficult in very light air, we came home with the Worlds
for 2011. The light conditions did not suit the Australians, sailing
chartered boats with the best placed Australian crew being Andrew
Merrett, Roger Clayton and Sam Cooke who placed 62nd overall.
Octogenarian and 53 year Squadron member Gordon Ingate, with his crew
of Peter Bellingham and Colin Forster, placed 64th overall, their best
placing being a 42nd in the 70 boat fleet. In 67th place came Robert
Alpe with his crew of Iain Finnegan and David Seaton, and in 68th place
were Wolfe Breit with his crew of Mark Hewitt-Park and Clive Jones.
- 21
and 22 July 2007 saw 15 dragon sailors travel to Sydney for a weekend
of racing and learning more about the class. Our hosts were the Royal
Sydney Yacht Squadron fleet, and we stayed at the Squadron. We arrived
Saturday morning at tea time, and had a two hour dry land instruction
on the latest NSW setups. After lunch we ventured onto the harbour,
for some warmups and a sail. Dinner that evening and an early night
saw us ready for a quick breakfast then onto the harbour for a more
serious race. The Cuneo Challenge was inaugrated, and born of the
generosity of our hosts, named for John Cuneo. Arguably it was taken
out by Qld, though the light fluky day saw the fleet return to the
squadron under tow from the mothership. Thanks to the NSWIDA and RSYS
for their kindness.
- Wednesday 23 May 2007 Tahune 123 and Анастасия 158 will boat from RQYS at around 1400 hours. All welcome mail@qldida.org quote sail Wed 23 May.
- Wednesday 16 May 2007
- Tahune 123 and Анастасия 158 sailed from RQYS Manly at 1500hrs or
thereabouts. Welcome to Steve, for his first sail on a Dragon. It was
a perfect autumnal day,
with a light ESE breeze at around 4-6 knots. The crew of Анастасия
spent the day familiarising themselves with the boat. This
was especially the finer points of the crane launch and retrieve, as
well as the various sail trim adjustments. Jib sheet, fine tune,
barber hauler, inboard adjustment, luff, foot and leech tension, main
outhaul, cunningham eye, traveller, mainsheet, running backstays,
backstay, crew positions, and boat trim. Next time we look at
spinnaker launch and retrieve, boom vang, mast ram, and furler. A
beautiful day out on a stunning Waterloo Bay, with an unforgettable run home in the gloamin'. Fagr Vindr.
- Anzac Day 2007. In the afternoon, after due observance of ANZAC Day, one saw three Dragons sailing from RQYS
Manly for the first time in decades. It was only fitting that
Nor'Easter (honorary number AUS Q1), the first Dragon built in
Queensland, and the second in Australia led the fleet. She was joined
by the beautiful Tahune 123, a '65 Borresen, and Анастасия
158 a beautiful Bellarine Borresen from '78 (built by the late Jimmy
Sims from the timber of the fibreglass tree). We especially welcomed
the Patron of the Association and his presence assured the outing
of suitable gravitas. A perfect day was completed by an appropriate
apres sail conference. Thanks to Jon P for allowing Simon, and Evelyn
and family to sail Nor'Easter, and in so doing, fulfill the vision of
the Anker Suggestion - viz family cruising in a beautiful yacht. We
hope to see Red Leaf 40 out soon, as Simon has re-doubled his efforts
after ANZAC Day. He is now working on the re-fitting of the keel, and
hopes to be afloat by June 2007.
- April 2007
QLDIDA welcomes Zest 043. Lying Paradise Point, we hope Zest will make
it north for the Johan Anker weekend to RQYS Canaipa slated for
Saturday and Sunday 15 and 16 Sepember 2007 or thereabouts. Zest 043
joins Sassafras 188 (lying SYC) as two of the fleet sailing in far
Southern Moreton Bay waters at the Gold Coast.
- April 2007
Fairwyn 087 changed her owner, and after a trip down the Pacific
Highway, has arrived at the Clarence River, and is lying Iluka, NSW.
Farewell Fairwyn 087. Best wishes to her plying the waters of the
mighty Clarence. We hope to see you soon. Fagr vindr.
- April 2007
Анастасия 158 moves to permanent hardstand at RQYS, and QLDIDA thanks
the Squadron and members for the temporary standing in the carpark.
- March
2007 The founder of Borresen Boatyard, one of Danish sailing's great
old men and pioneers, Borge Borresen, died quietly and peacefully in
his home in Vejle Sunday morning the 4th of March 2007 in the age of 87
years. As one of the few to achieve greatness, he became a living
legend as both boat builder and Dragon sailor. Vale Mr Borresen.
- March
2007 sees the regular Wednesday afternoon sailing of Tahune 123 from
RQYS into Waterloo Bay. Boating at circa 1500hrs, her crew have been
promoting the class to newcomers to the class - who are promptly
falling in love with her seakindliness, and her forgiving nature. Gallery
- February
2007 saw the arrival of Justin Barr and the beautiful Sassafras 188
from Tasmania. Based at Southport Yacht Club, we hope to meet Sassafras
188 on the water soon. Our QLDIDA restorers group especially welcome
Justin with his very valuable boatbuilding skills.
- February
2007 marked Tahune 123's movement from a holding pontoon at Scarborough
(thanks very much Mr Hatch) into RQYS Marina. Being a beautiful '67
Borresen, she really likes to keep her tail wet. That's three at the
Squadron, which some say is a good start for the rebirth of a class. A
very pleasant day was spent bringing her across the Port of Brisbane,
and down into Waterloo Bay to her new home.
- January
2007 Анастасия 158, a '78 Bellarine Borresen (GRP) was purchased from
RSYS and brought to RQYS to join Nor'easter at the Squadron...and then
there were two.
- September
2006, Redleaf 40 is rescued. She is trailed to Brookfield to begin the
painstaking restoration task. Due date for completion is June 2007.
- May 2006 Tahune 123 arrives to Moreton Bay from Tasmania. She is lying Scarborough, waiting to come down to Manly.
- Pre
May 2006, Nor�easter, now lovingly restored, awaits the arrival of
other International Dragons to RQYS Manly. A once proud fleet has been
more than decimated by the sun and the wind of 27 degrees South, 153
degrees East. The lightly built racing Dragons of yesteryear are
scattered. Thanks to Jon and Doug Perrins, the famous Nor�easter was
resuscitated.
|
