Held at the Milnerton Aquatic Club on Saturday 4 September 2010

Present:
Sabine Vidal; Axel Adelbert; Dave MacDonald; Brent Gray; Ryan Barnardo; Paul Allardice; Joshua Banks
Apologies:
Jacques Louw; Robert Wood; Paul Vivian

Points of discussion:

Pros and Cons of Lipton 2010 in its entirety (overall)

Pros:
• The skill levels and potential to perform was well represented within the selected crew
• The uniforms and crew outfits and boat branding were high quality and carried the sponsors name well
• The crew work in terms of maneuver's on the boat was above average
• The selection process for the crew was deemed as fair and efficient

Cons:
• Boat equipment and fittings poor
• Communication amongst the team poor
• Lack of preparation of the team and boat
• Attitude of the crew poor
• Lack of appreciation from the selected crew
• Blaming and not owning responsibility
• Lack of a general experience of keelboat helming from the helmsman
• Lack of focus
• Presence of adult on board disrupted team dynamics
• No team cohesion
• No commitment and continuity of such
• Lack of leadership and role modeling
• Dress code discipline slack
• Charter of boat too short
• Sponsors coverage over very short period

Points for improvement for future campaigns:
• Start campaign earlier
• All involved to understand bigger picture, and overall requirements
• More team related competitions so as to achieve individual understanding of each other and to build team work
• More keelboat experience
• No adults to sail in Lipton regatta; under 18 only; youth team
• Support boat to be integral part of training/sailing and to video sailing for learning
• Crew to be more involved in behind the scenes work
• Hierarchy and role model to be established early on within team
• Mental preparation and support to crew, motivation, goals, feedback
• Consider pre-qualification during selection to include long distance, overnight race to establish personal characteristics
• Skipper's tickets to be acquired as matter of urgency
• Find a boat for charter or purchase early
• Implement planning process earlier; aims; objectives; methods
• Encourage team building in general

How are we going to "Inspire the Next?"
• Team members to approach school and friends to encourage sailing and introduce new people into sailing
• Hold more "inspire" days
• Encourage sailor retention. Provide support for new sailors to continue sailing after introductory phase. The "second" visit must be nurtured
• Introduce sailing to a wider audience
• Provide further opportunities to gain keelboat experience and knowledge
• To improve ourselves/each other in what we have already done this year

Dave MacDonald

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Well done to all of you on another successful Lipton Challenge.

Finishing 7th in the final race and 14th overall in spite of the disaster of the first day, is an excellent achievement in light of the stiff competition this year. Well Done! (See Results)

Congratulations to Joshua Banks who received the "Hitachi Inspire the Next Crewman of the Challenge" award.

A big thank you to Sabine for all your help as "assistant" manager, and to Richard, Joshua MacDonald and Bethany for your help on the support boat this year.

And once again a big thank You needs to go to Mr Robin Duff and Hitachi for their sponsorship this year, without it none of you would have had the privilege of this experience.

As we move into another season of sailing, remember just as you have been afforded this opportunity, you in turn take every opportunity to "Inspire the Next!" We have Lipton 2011 to prepare for!!!

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be your manager this year.

Dave MacDonald

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This has been a tough week with breakages on the first day and light winds yesterday, but now you have 2 days left with good winds forecast, so give it your best and lets finish on a high.

Please note that the Prize Giving Dinner on Friday 6:30 - 9:00pm has been restricted to the direct team only as there is limited space. I have asked for extra tickets but at this stage we only have 11. DRESS CODE: for dinner - beige chinos, white shirt, MAC club tie, blazer with MAC badge. Please lets look smart!!!

REMEMBER! I am alarmed to hear some of you making plans for the week end. According to our training schedule and program that was sent to you all and which you agreed to, the commitment to the team ends after the weekend once we have handed the boat back!!!

The SCHEDUAL for FRIDAY and SATURDAY
Friday: Racing. After racing provisional boat tidy up and boat taken back to K013, banners taken down, change and make one's way to the Prize Giving.
Saturday: 8:30 - 10:30 meet at RCYC. Boat clean-up and wash, sails sorted out boat inspected and handed back to Ernie (Note we will only be taking the boat out later in the week, to be confirmed by Ernie.)
12:00 - 5:00pm Opening of Sailing season at MAC. Dress code track pants, golf shirts, caps, Macnificent Jackets. Your club and Hitachi have invested a lot in you, this is your chance to show your appreciation!

Dave MacDonald

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Well done on this past weekend's sailing. I think Saturday was better than Sunday, but anyway it is now all systems go to give it your best next week. (See Results)

As per our discussions yesterday here is the plan of action for this week:

• NO JUNK FOOD this week!!! - we have to watch those weights!!!
• Tuesday 17th 6:30pm at MAC we have a prelim weigh-in and team briefing.
• We will be formally registering and weigh in at RCYC at 3:30pm on Friday (the whole team has to be together when we register.) There are one or two things that need to be done on the boat before that so if anyone can get there earlier please let me know.
• Depending on Tuesday's weights, no lunch or excessive fluids before weigh-in on Friday.

If any of you has had the flue or any other illness, I need a letter from your doctor listing the medication you have been on. If I don't have this and you are randomly selected for a drug test you will be not allowed to sail.

This past week end you guys looked great in the sponsored clothing at the beginning, but this had slacked off by Sunday. I was not impressed! It is a privilege to be on this team and you are representing MAC and our Sponsor. My suggestion to the committee will be that anyone that does not want to cooperate in wearing any of the clothing will not sail!

Opening ceremony is at 5pm on Saturday. We will be meeting together at 3:30pm on Saturday afternoon at RCYC in your sponsored clothing (including caps and jackets!)

To the Parents
We will be having a support boat going out Monday to Friday. Any one wishing to go out on one of the day's of racing please let me know so that I can make the relevant reservations for you. The boat on Sunday is full but Jean might have place on his boat.

Only one week to go and then it's the real deal. Give it your best and enjoy the event!

Dave MacDonald

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Tomorrow is the first big challenge - the L26 Provincials!

Remember to be at RCYC sharp at 8:30 tomorrow. You need to be dressed in your Hitachi team clothing. You will change just before racing and then change again when you come off the water.

Sabine, I will be there at 8:30 with the banner if you could please see to it being set up.
Joshua if you could please see to the Hitachi Flag being put up on the forestay at 8:30 (I will bring it to the club tomorrow.)

The rest of you need to sort the boat out, make sure you have the correct sails rigged and the ones not needed off the boat, rubbish removed and bungies replaced. The boat must be ready to go when Brent comes down later.

Brent and Paul Vivian I need your SAS numbers ASAP.

Richard Wood could you make sure you are at RCYC by 12 noon ready to go out on the support boat (Moody 40.)

Remember to bring lunch!!!

See you all at 8:30 tomorrow at RCYC.

Dave MacDonald

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Brent would like to try and get in a last bout of training on Thursday afternoon 12 August at 3pm. Wind looks about 8 - 10 knots. Please let me know if you will be able to make it.

On Saturday and Sunday we have the L26 Provincials. We want to meet at the club at 8:30 am to do some last minute adjustments to the boat, change sails, clean-up and get the rubbish off, etc. There will be a competitors briefing at 12:00 and racing starts at 2pm.

On Sunday you need to be at the boat at 8:30. Racing begins at 10am. Last race will not start after 3pm.

REMEMBER! REMEMBER! REMEMBER!
Please Note that unlike previous years where parents supplied lunch on the various days of Lipton and L26 Provincials, you the sailors from what I understand have asked for each individual to take care of themselves, which is fine, just don't complain to me if you are hungry, and no one is going to be allowed to run off and buy pies at the last moment!

Dave MacDonald

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Well done on a very successful day on Saturday. The day ended with four tired but "very inspired" young boys who I am sure will be back sailing with us and who knows one of them might be on the Lipton Team next year.

This coming week end is a rest weekend, but watch your emails Brent and Paul want to try and fit in an afternoon or two's sailing during the week. Remember the first big test starts the following weekend with the L26 Provincials.

Please Note that unlike previous years where parents supplied lunch on the various days of Lipton and L26 Provincials, you the sailors from what I understand have asked for each individual to take care of themselves, which is fine, just don't complain to me if you are hungry, and no one is going to be allowed to run off and buy pies at the last moment!

Dave MacDonald

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Next Saturday July the 31st, is our chance as a "team" to sow back into our community as we "Inspire the Next." We will be hosting a number of children from schools in our local communities who have not been privileged to have had the opportunities as some of you have had, to experience the wonderful world of sailing. This will be your opportunity to introduce them to the sport. Please see the program planned for that day below.

8:30am: the following to meet at MAC - Paul Vivian; Joshua Banks; Sabine Vidal; Jacques Louw and Matthew MacDonald. You will meet the students and then we will go through to RCYC to take them out on the L26 "Team Macnificent Hitachi". One of you will be on Ross's boat with Axel to talk to the media as they take pictures

9:30am: arrive at RCYC. Go out for a sail

12:00am: return from RCYC to MAC

11:30am: the following to arrive at MAC and help with the setting up of lunch and rigging of dinghies - Robert Wood; Jason Gray; Ryan Barnado

12:30pm: lunch at MAC

1:15pm: introduction to the Club, and Dingy sailing (Oppie's, Dabchick's and the Bosun)

3 pm: end of the day and clean up

Looking forward to having you all involved on this day.

Dave MacDonald

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WELL DONE to all of you for your achievement in Saturday's race. I believe you came 2nd overall out of 19 boats. Keep up the good work. See results . . .

Please note the following changes and updates to our training program:

Friday 23 July (1:30 pm): Boat coming out of the water. Those available to help with sanding, etc. in the afternoon, would be great. Please let me know if you can make it.

Saturday 24 July (8:30 to 3pm): Work day, signage, maintenance and boat back in water. Again, let me know if you can make it.

Sunday 25 July: Training to be announced.

Saturday 31 July (8:30 to 3pm): Public awareness day "Inspire the Next." Whole team involved. Watch email for details.

Sunday 1 August: Training to be announced (probably 12:30 to 4pm.)

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8th: Off weekend (long week-end.)

Saturday 14 August: SAS L26 Provincials.

Sunday 15 August: SAS L26 Provincials.

20th to 27th August: Lipton 2010.

I am also preparing a letter for your schools explaining that you have been selected to sail in this year's Lipton Cup. It will be available at the week-end from Micky in the club office.

Dave MacDonald

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WELL DONE to all of you for your efforts in the initial training sessions which have led up to the final selection of this year's Team Macnificent Hitachi Lipton 2010.

The competition has been tight giving the committee a difficult job in their selection. However a team has to be chosen and we are also limited to how many people can be on the boat (420kg combined weight). Our aim has been to put together MAC's best junior team possible.

The selection process has been based on the candidate's performance and commitment to the sport of sailing in our club during this past year, as well as to their performance, skill and abilities on the boat this past month. Each candidate had an individual and independent evaluation by five individuals and skippers involved with the training so far.

On behalf of the Lipton Committee for 2010 we would like to congratulate the following for being selected to the team.

In alphabetical order:

Joshua Banks
Ryan Barnardo
Brent Gray (Skipper)
Jason Gray
Jacques Louw
Paul Vivian
Sabine Vidal
Robert Wood

Note: One of you will be the reserve which will be announced at a later date.

Could you all please meet at the boat at RCYC at 12:00pm on Saturday 17th. You will be racing in the RCYC Winter Series A in the afternoon. Brent will discuss Sunday's training with you on Saturday.

Dave MacDonald - Team Manager

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Training on Sunday 11th will be from 9am - 12 at RCYC. (Paul and Ernie will meet you at the boat.)

Training on Monday 12th will be from 11am - 2:30 pm at RCYC. (Dave will meet you at the boat.)

This is the weekend of final evaluations - give it your best!

NB Please contact me and let me know if you are able to attend or not.

Dave MacDonald

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REMINDER TO PLEASE WATCH YOUR EMAILS AND FACEBOOK CONCERNING WHERE WE WILL BE MEETING ON SATURDAY!!!

At the moment the arrangement is still to meet at RCYC but it might be moved to MAC. A final decision will be made at 9am tomorrow morning. Please note additional training is also being planned for Sunday 11th and Monday 12th. Please let me know if you will or will not be able to attend on these days.

(I trust all you budding skippers have been watching the weather - what are your predictions?)

Dave MacDonald

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Thanks to Jacques, Robert, Richard and Jason who helped with getting the boat out of the water and cleaning the hull on Monday, and then helping calibrating the log.

Only 10 days to go to announcing the final team!

Dave MacDonald

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Well done to those that started training on Sunday. I see you have got rid of some of the cob webs and hopefully it is up and up from here. Remember you are being evaluated all the time, so give your best.

Brent has asked if we can start training a little earlier on Sunday 4th, so training will start at 11am at RCYC. Again if you are unable to make training please let me know 24hr in advance. (Sabine, and Paul I have your dates that you are not able to be there)

We are hoping to take the boat out of the water on Monday to spray off the bottom, I need two or three helpers for that, let me know if you are able to help.


Dave MacDonald
Phone: 072 390 4760
Email: dmacd@mweb.c.za

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Below is the provisional training schedule for the next two months. If you are unable to make training please let me know 24hr in advance. Sabine, Paul and Ryan I have your dates that you are not able to be there.


Saturday 26 June: 11am - 3pm RCYC

Sunday 27 June: 1pm - 4pm RCYC

Monday 28 June: (To be confirmed)


Saturday 3 July: False Bay Dingy Long Haul

Sunday 4 July: 1pm - 4pm RCYC

Monday 5 July: (To be confirmed)

Saturday 10 July: 11am - 3pm RCYC

Sunday 11 July: Soccer Finals

Monday 12 July: (To be confirmed)

Saturday 17 July: 11am - 3pm RCYC

Sunday 18 July: 1pm - 4pm RCYC

Monday 19 July: Final Team Announced

Friday 23 July: Deadline for Team lists to be entered

Saturday 24 July: 11am - 3pm RCYC

Sunday 25 July: 1pm - 4pm RCYC

Saturday 31 July: 9am - 4pm RCYC (Boat preparation)


Sunday 1 August: 12:30pm - 4pm RCYC (Boat preparation)

Saturday 7 August: 11am - 3pm RCYC

Sunday 8 August: 1pm - 4pm RCYC

Saturday 14 August: SAS L26 Provincials

Sunday 15 August: SAS L26 Provincials


Friday 20 - 27 August Lipton 2010
Friday 20th: Registration 9am - 5pm
Saturday 21st: Scrutiny and weigh in cut off 12h00
Sunday 22 - Friday 27: Racing


Saturday 28 August: Boat taken out the water cleaned up and anti fouled
Sunday 29 August: Finish boat clean-up and hand back


Dave MacDonald
Phone: 072 390 4760
Email: dmacd@mweb.c.za

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As mentioned at our last meeting we plan to start training this weekend 26th - 28th June.

Time of first training:
Could all the team please meet in the foyer of RCYC at 11:00am sharp on Saturday 26th June. You will be met by Dave or Brent and taken down to the boat. We will be training from 11:00am - 3:00pm.
We will discuss the times of Sunday and Monday's training on Saturday.
Future training dates will be posted on the web page and on facebook.

What to bring:
Make sure you have suitable sailing clothes and shoes! A life jacket, warm clothes to change into in case you get wet. And food for your lunch and something to drink!

Aim of this weekend's training:
To familiarize yourself with the yacht;
Safety -man overboard, etc;
Try out in different positions on the yacht.

RSVP:
Please confirm with myself that you will be there on Saturday. If you are not punctual it will be marked against you. Note also that you need to make your own travel arrangements to and from RCYC.

Crew Forms:
I have not yet received all the crew forms with your details. NO FORM NO SAIL!

Remember we are putting our best TEAM together so give it your best.

Dave MacDonald
Phone: 072 390 5760
Email: dmacd@mweb.c.za

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Congratulations once again to the following sailors on being selected on the short list of possible candidates for our Lipton 2010 campaign:

Paul Vivian
Damien Botha
Jason Gray
Joshua Banks
Jacques Louw
Ryan Barnardo
Matthew MacDonald
Matthew van der Linden
Ashleigh Simonis
Richard Wood
Robert Wood
Sabine Vidal
Nicolas Basson

We also as a club want to thank Mr Ernie Chicken for once again making his boat available to us as well as a big thank you to our sponsor Mr Robin Duff and HITACHI, with out their support this year's entry would not be possible.

This years Lipton Committee is made up of the following:

Rev David MacDonald (Manager)
Brent Gray (Training and skipper)
Paul Allardice (Training and selection)

We have also asked Ernie Chicken to help with some of the training and give input to the final selection of the team. Matthew MacDonald,who has also recently obtained his skippers ticket, will be setting up a 'face book' page for our Lipton team.

If you have any questions please channel those through me and I will take them to the committee.

Final Team
The final team will only be decided upon at the end of July so you all need to work hard at giving your best, don't assume you will be on the team. We at MAC want to put forward our best youth team possible. You might be the best sailor in the club, but you must be able to work together in a team not as an individual on the boat. The final team will be selected by the committee entirely on merit, performance and evaluations made during training by Dave, Brent, Paul and Ernie.

Training
Weather depending we have set aside Saturdays/Sundays/ and Mondays during the school holidays from the end of June and through out July for training. This does not mean that you will be expected to be present every day. It also doesn't mean you will be sailing the whole day. What we envisage is possibly one group on the Saturday morning and another in the afternoon, one on Sunday and another on Monday. We are drawing up a training program (and boat cleaning and preparation program) and I would like to know what days and times would suit you all the best so that we can complete this roster ASAP. Please bear in mind we will try and accommodate every one's schedule but it won't always be possible ~ remember you are committing yourself to a team.

Community Out Reach
We are also endeavoring to reach out to previously disadvantaged students in this years campaign by including successful candidates in the preparation, training and exposure to Lipton itself with the view of introducing them to sailing and keelboat racing. I encourage you as a team to embrace this endeavor and welcome them aboard as we strive to 'Inspire the Next'.

Next Meeting
We would like to have a short meeting at the club on Saturday 12th of June at 3pm to discuss the training program and to answer any questions. Please let me know if you are able to attend or not.

On behalf of the Mac Lipton Committee

Dave MacDonald
Phone: 072 390 5760
Email: dmacd@mweb.c.za

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