Cliff Spence Memorial Time Trial

Team Purrfect win the Cliff Spence Trophy

Despite 28 boats nominating on the start sheet, it ended up being one small fleet of only 18 boats out on the water this week for the Cliff Spence Memorial Time Trial.

Cliff’s Spence’s son and navigator, John and wife Pauline, presented the trophy. Dave Markham read some of the archive history to recognise the contribution of the Spence family. Cliff was Club Champion in 1973 and leading the 1974 series in his boat Faesta when he had a heart attack and died on a Friday night in June. Cliff’s wife Alvine, was a member of start box team. Sadly, Cliff’s assets, including the boat were seized by Public Trustee and John never competed again. We are pleased John and Pauline have recently rejoined the Club. John plans on becoming more involved, possibly in the Bosuns Club. Alvine, who is now 101, has very recently moved from living at home with John and Pauline into palliative care. We send the family our best wishes.

10 Gaps in the start line up! Please, if you nominate and have unexpected change to plans or the boat is out of the water and not time trialing, please let Bernie know. Big gaps in the fleet with boats missing, adds confusion for all. The committee aim to build our fleet numbers back up over 40 boats. A great idea is arranging social activities, when you can, for Sundays and come down on Saturday afternoons to time trial and bring your friends and family to the Club too. The Winter Ballroom dining set up for results and dinner is casual, inclusive and friendly.

Enough on that… what about the event winners! Congratulations go to John and Lynne Cooper onboard Purrfect. For winning the trophy and first place on handicap. Maria and VC Michael Cook onboard M & M’s were 2nd and Troy and Victoria and guests onboard Dalusional won third place and Least Points Lost with 5 pts. 6 boats had scores of under 12 points, possibly due to near perfect conditions for time trailing.

We farewell Vern and Judy Bailey from Holidaze as they set off travelling up north in their van for next few months. Maybe Vern was already in holiday mode, being penalised 20 points for going wrong side of 2 marks!

This weekend on Saturday 19th is the Seafarer Trophy hosted by Royal Perth Yacht Club, another of the combined invitation / state heat series #3. The course is 122 downloaded from Royal Perth site on Sportspage. Please also note it is a morning event with a 10am start at Royal Perth start buoy and to book online for the 2-course lunch, results, prizes and give aways afterwards.

Power Apparel. We plan to have the new logo on long and short sleeved polo shirts available for ordering soon. Please speak to Amanda or Maria Cook. Maree in reception has good stock of Club 75^th anniversary logo jackets, shorts, vests and polos avail in various colours.

The search is on for the ugliest Jumpers & silly T -shirts for Christmas in July … Leanne, Clarry and Guy have found some very interesting creations including a knitted winter “mankini”! Clarry has been a stand out winner for many of our dress up events in the past. I dare you Clarry