Latest Club News

keep up to date with what's happening around the club

Season Opening 2026 - 2027

Notice Of Race 2026 - 27 Sailing Season

Thanks, Geoff Eldridge, for putting the NOR together, please Click here for notice

Off The Beach course diagrams please follow this link. OTB Course Diagrams 2026-2027

Learn To Sail

Keelboat News

 
Entries are now open for the Summer Season - ENTER HERE. 
Please get those entries in now and don't wait till the last moment.  For the Friday Pursuit Races entries will close on the 7th October for the first race of the season.
 
As usual we will have the same compliance requirements being a current insurance certificate, Cat 5 Safety Declaration and a MOB declaration. The MOB drill and delaraton are to be completed and submitted by the end of October using the online MOB Declaration - Available HERE
 
If you would like to compete in a measurement category (i.e. AMS or ORC) please make sure your measurement certificates are updated and a copy sent to the keelboat email address for our records.
 
Sailing Instructions will be posted on the club website very soon!
 
Friday 9th October – Twilight Pursuit Race #1 – TONY’S RACE
Start Time: 17:30H (AEDT)
Race Officer: Elaine Nicholas
Duty Boat: Summer’s Lease
Tower Set Up & Results: Elaine
 
Sunday 11th October – Season Opening Day
Sail Past & Commodore’s Gold Cup
Race Officer: Elaine Nicholas
Duty Boat: Lumiere
Tower Set Up & Results:  Elaine

Working Bee - Sunday 27 September

What a day of productivity!

A huge thank you to the 37 members who turned out for our Working Bee on Sunday and got stuck into the long list of jobs on the whiteboard.
From building garden beds and removing catamaran racking to painting fences and tackling all the jobs in between, everyone found their groove and chipped in to help get the club looking its best for the season opening.
 
And there’s more happening next week!
 
We have a load of new screenings being delivered, with a contractor coming in to spread the toppings around the yard and give the area a much-needed freshen-up.
As the contractor will be limited in where they can spread the new material, we’re looking for a few members to lend a hand on the day to help move things into place.
If you can help, please contact John W This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will confirm the exact day once it has been finalised.
 
Thanks again to everyone who came along and helped make such a productive day. It’s amazing what we can achieve when we all pitch in! A few photos of the day are below.
 

REDHILL CANDLE MAKING EVENT

 
Saturday 12th September 10 members came along to RedHill Candle Co & experienced the making of candles, each person made a large & small candle with their chosen fragrance.  It was a very rewarding experience & everyone was happy with the results of their efforts.
 
After a lot of fun & camaraderie we all worked up an appetite & thirst, walked up the hill to Rahona Estate Winery where a light lunch & bubbles was shared.
 
A great day was shared by all.
 
Look forward to your continued support
Gwen McAuliffe
Chair Social Committee 

ORCV News 

Melbourne to Devonport ‘Rudder Cup’ 
Entries are still open for the 2026 Melbourne to Devonport ‘Rudder Cup’—Australia's oldest ocean race and the first race of the newly launched Bass Strait Cup. Starting off Queenscliff on Friday 30 October, the fleet will race 195nm across Bass Strait to Devonport, where the Mersey Yacht Club will be on hand to welcome competitors. It's also a qualifying event for the Westcoaster, making it a natural first step for any crew with Melbourne to Hobart in their sights. Click here to enter. 
West Offshore Products Coastal Sprints 
West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint Race 2 runs on Saturday 5 December. The Sprints are short coastal races conducted in daylight hours and are now classified as Category 4 races with some additional ORCV requirements. The new classification will reduce the cost barrier for those embarking on offshore sailing for the first time. These races are a perfect crew development pathway toward ocean races like the Rudder Cup and Westcoaster, or a great stand-alone coastal race, and you'll be home Saturday evening. Click here to enter. 
Cock of the Bay 
Entries are open for Cock of the Bay, ORCV's iconic Boxing Day race on Port Phillip. Starting near Station Pier and running roughly 21nm past Port Melbourne, St Kilda Pier, Brighton Pier, Sandringham and Hampton, it's the perfect way to blow off the Christmas excess. With over 100 yachts on the water in past years, it's shaping up to be another huge fleet. It's also a well-worn stepping stone toward the Melbourne to Hobart for those looking further ahead. Click here to enter. 
Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’  
Entries are still open for the 2026 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, a blue-water ocean classic with more than 50 years of history and the highest-ranking race in the ORCV Offshore Championship. The 435NM course takes the fleet across Bass Strait, south along Tasmania's rugged and remote West Coast—a true test of strategy and seamanship for full crew, 4+ autohelm, and double handed boats alike. Join the legacy of more than 900 yachts and 7,000 crew members who've made this passage. Click here to enter. 
 
 
 
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Photos Of The Week

Submissions 

If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo of the Week to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Spotted a mistake or omission from the newsletter.......please let Fiona know as soon as possible to rectify immediately! 

 

 

Working Bee

With the season opening only 3.5 weeks away, it's time to spruce up the yard. Please read the list of jobs below that require assistance. There are a few other tasks to undertake, which are not on the list, like pressure washing the kiosk area, cleaning training room windows, and general weeding, etc. Pack your gloves and can-do attitude and we'll see you on the 27th to discuss how good or bad the Grand Final was!!

Notice Of Race 2026 - 27 Sailing Season

Thanks, Geoff Eldridge, for putting the NOR together, please  Click here for notice

Learn To Sail

Keelboat News

The Inaugural Navigational Challenge - Sunday 13th September

The forecast promised a perfect racing day for the inaugural 2026 SBSC Navigational Challenge: a consistent northerly, gusting into the high twenties. Who wanted to give that a miss? Well, turned out Assassin, Happy Days and Shimmer did.

The Start
Apart from those three, seven boats turned up to the start line. But where was the wind?  A gentle puff from the SW, that’s all we got. So much about the BOM being a reliable source of weather prediction. Just the night before we had a wind warning for Port Phillip! 11:11 got optimistic in anticipation of the forecasted northerly and hoisted their spinnaker. Someone should have told the skipper that the big sail may help in light winds, but not from the close-hauled quarter. Rookie mistake! Here goes the start gun, down goes the spinnaker. Then the start…it was sloooooow. Boats drifted across the line, 11:11 managed to cross it 12 minutes into the race. And then…there comes the northerly, maybe 1 knot? Up goes the spinnaker again and the acceleration is exhilarating – from 0.3 knots to 1.5 knots boat speed in 100 seconds. Strap in folks!
 
 
The Race
Skippers had the choice to sail the course clockwise or counterclockwise. The decision was between going with the tide or with the wind into the West Channel. You can’t have both. Whether it was group thinking, follow the leader or navigational skill, all boats opted for the route that went against the tide but with the wind. But first, we had to round the yellow pile. As soon as we did, the wind picked up considerably. Perception and 11:11 went north of the mussel farm, the rest of the fleet took the southerly route. From here on, it was all about hull speed to the West Channel, wind almost on the beam, a steady 12, 13, 14 knots and building.
Patriot quickly took the lead with Balance on her heels. Ninjo, Perception and Marrakesh playing midfield. 11:11 and Summer Breeze making up the rear guard.
Once we turned south into West Channel, things settled a bit. Boats got their spinnaker up (nope, 11:11 had enough practice for the day and left theirs in the bag) or opted for a wing-on-wing config. The incoming tide was starting to really slow down the tail end of the fleet. And then it got juicy. Summer Breeze thought of an optical illusion when they saw 11:11 crossing the shipping channel on a perpendicular line south but pointing at a 45degree angle towards Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. The tide was pushing into the Bay with all its might and sure enough, a moment later Summer Breeze faced the same challenge. Not a great feeling when the boat does not want to go where the skipper wants her to go.
Once across the shipping channel, boats did a left turn towards Sorrento Channel and …Yiiieehaah …the tide had momentum. 11:11 and Summer Breeze clocked more than 9 knots consistently and even the Queenscliff – Sorrento ferry struggled to keep up with us! We were flying!
Closer to home, the leaders had the wind on their nose now and had to tack their way from Blairgowrie to Safety Beach. Some extra mileage free of charge.
 
 
The Finish
Whilst Summer Breeze and 11:11 were cruising across Capel Sound, Patriot crossed the finish line first after 5 hours 13 minutes and 32 seconds closely followed by Balance five minutes or so later. But was it enough for overall victory? Turns out, it wasn’t. The wind had shifted again giving an advantage to the rear guard who were now flying home on same tack right through to the finish after almost six and a half hours of racing. That put Summer Breeze first on PHS handicap followed by 11:11 and Balance. Perception won on AMS and ORC. Line honors go to Patriot.
 
Shout-out
I am sure all skippers and crew agreed that this is the type of sailing that we all live for. A massive shoutout to Lynlee and Greg Coutts as well as Terry Jones for manning the SBSC Tower for an entire Sunday and for keeping us safe on the water. The day would not have been possible without you. Thank you!
Hope to see you all again next year at this event. Until then…
Hold fast,
Till
 

Keelboats Summer Season 2026-27

The Keelboat Program and Roster (Part 1) has now been published on the club website - View HERE.  Please have a good read through and if you are unable to do your rostered duty, please send a note to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ASAP.
Entries are now open for the Summer Season - Click HERE
As usual we will have the same compliance requirements being a current insurance certificate, Cat 5 Safety Declaration and a MOB declaration.  These can be completed a little closer to the start of the season but they do need to be submitted.
If you would like to compete in a measurement category (i.e. AMS or ORC) please make sure your measurement certificates are updated and a copy sent to the keelboat email address for our records.

News from the Tropics

Rick and the crew on L’espirit are currently leaving the Northern Yasawa group of islands and heading to Musket Cove regatta.
 
On another note I thought I would throw it out there to see if anyone wants to come to Bay of Islands NZ with us.
We are leaving Fiji around the 20th of Oct.
We currently have four very experienced ocean sailors who have done 10s of thousands of ocean miles doing this leg but another person would not hurt even if you have not done heaps of miles but some under the belt would be preferable so you get the most out of the trip .
As I said the core group of crew are again doing the delivery with me so we are good to go but if someone from the SBSC community would get something out of it ,reach out 
Cheers 
Rick

Weighing Day

Sandringham Yacht Club will be conducting a weighing day on Sunday, 20th September 2026, from 9 am for boats that wish to obtain or update their measurement ratings certificates - AMS, ORC and IRC. In keeping with our usual practice, this day will be conducted by volunteers for the benefit of boat owners on Port Phillip.
The cost of the weighing will be $475 per boat.
We weigh all boats in their "empty" configuration, which means the IRC and ORC weights are provided. The AMS weight is the empty weight plus the weight of the AMS permitted gear, which is weighed separately in a basket on the club crane.
Please call Lowa on 0408 400 278 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries or would like to make a booking.         

ORCV News 

This Saturday we have Race of the West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint Series.   The race starts at Queenscliff at 7.20am with the course length approx. 15-25NM.
This year we have Till and his crew on 11-11 representing SBSC so we wish them the best of luck for the race
 
 
Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster
 
Entries are now open for the 2026 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, a blue-water ocean classic with more than 50 years of history and the highest-ranking race in the ORCV Offshore Championship. The 435NM course takes the fleet across Bass Strait, south along Tasmania's rugged and remote West Coast — a true test of strategy and seamanship for full crew, 4+ autohelm, and double handed boats alike. Join the legacy of more than 900 yachts and 7,000 crew members who've made this passage. Click here for more details and to enter the race.
 
 
 
Bendigo Logo

Sail GP

Don’t miss out! 
The 2027 Australia Sail Grand Prix | Perth is returning to Fremantle on 20-21 February 2027. 
Tickets for this event are selling fast with only a limited number of VELA Beach Club and Waterfront Grandstand tickets remaining. 
If you're planning a Perth getaway around the event, now's the time to secure your tickets.
For more information on ticket inclusions, pricing and to purchase tickets, see the SailGP website: tickets.sailgp.com/perth/

Submissions 

If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo of the Week to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Spotted a mistake or omission from the newsletter.......please let Fiona know as soon as possible to rectify immediately! 

 

 

The Executive Committee for Season 2026/2027 is as follows.... 

Commodore
John Wemyss 
Vice Commodore  
Ross Martin      
Rear Commodore  
vacant
Secretary
Amanda Malin 
Treasurer  
vacant
General / Sailing
Bill Manning
General / Training
Fiona Lowe
General 
Grace Lazzar 
General / Security
James Anderson
General
Jonathan Embrey  
General
Linda Wooley
Memberships
Mark McAuliffe
General / IT 
Neil Whitaker  
 

The next meeting will be held on 8th September, chaired by Vice Commodore Ross Martin. If there is a matter you would like the Committee to consider or discuss at our next meeting, please contact our Secretary, Amanda by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will ensure your enquiry is forwarded to the appropriate Committee member for review and discussion at the meeting. 

Keelboat News

The SBSC Navigational Challenge - Sunday 13th September

First Warning Signal:  8.55H
Race Officer: Lynlee Coutts
Duty Boat:  Whiskers
 Don’t miss out on the inaugural SBSC Navigational Challenge Race – get your entry in now Click Here
 
News from the North
Big congratulations to Vincitore who won their Division at Magnetic Island Race Week.  We are sure that they had a great post regatta celebration and are now heading south after a very successful couple of weeks.

Lipton Cup

Entries are now open for the 2026 Lipton Cup Regatta.  This year it is easier than ever for sailors to get involved, with FREE entry for all competitors and FREE berthing all weekend for visiting boats.
The regatta gets underway with our Invitational Twilight Race on Friday evening before two days of racing across Saturday and Sunday. Off the water, we've put together a strong social program featuring live music, pop-up bars, and great food and drink specials, making it a fantastic weekend for competitors, crews, families and supporters alike.
It would be great to see some of our yachts head up to the north end of the bay to represent SBSC at the Lipton Cup Regatta
 

Weighing Day

Sandringham Yacht Club will be conducting a weighing day on Sunday, 20th September 2026, from 9 am for boats that wish to obtain or update their measurement ratings certificates - AMS, ORC and IRC. In keeping with our usual practice, this day will be conducted by volunteers for the benefit of boat owners on Port Phillip.
The cost of the weighing will be $475 per boat.
We weigh all boats in their "empty" configuration, which means the IRC and ORC weights are provided. The AMS weight is the empty weight plus the weight of the AMS permitted gear, which is weighed separately in a basket on the club crane.
Please call Lowa on 0408 400 278 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries or would like to make a booking.            

ORCV News 

Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster
 
Entries are now open for the 2026 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, a blue-water ocean classic with more than 50 years of history and the highest-ranking race in the ORCV Offshore Championship. The 435NM course takes the fleet across Bass Strait, south along Tasmania's rugged and remote West Coast — a true test of strategy and seamanship for full crew, 4+ autohelm, and double handed boats alike. Join the legacy of more than 900 yachts and 7,000 crew members who've made this passage. Click here for more details and to enter the race.
 
Winter Training Courses 
 
The ORCV Winter Training Courses are still open for bookings. Winter is a great time to top up knowledge and get ready for the next season.
Bendigo Logo

Sail GP

Don’t miss out! 
The 2027 Australia Sail Grand Prix | Perth is returning to Fremantle on 20-21 February 2027. 
Tickets for this event are selling fast with only a limited number of VELA Beach Club and Waterfront Grandstand tickets remaining. 
If you're planning a Perth getaway around the event, now's the time to secure your tickets.
For more information on ticket inclusions, pricing and to purchase tickets, see the SailGP website: tickets.sailgp.com/perth/

Submissions 

If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo of the Week to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Spotted a mistake or omission from the newsletter.......please let Fiona know as soon as possible to rectify immediately! 

 

 

Off The Beach News

OTB Season 2026/7 Planning, have your say 28th August!

G’day, I somehow find myself elevated to the role of OTB Club Captain for the upcoming season and I need your help! Thanks to our past glorious leader’s efforts there are high expectations so planning is already underway.

Bill Manning has drafted up a calendar and Mark Lawrence has all the rescue boat servicing in hand but there is still a lot more to be worked out. So, I’m inviting everyone to an informal meeting at the Club 5:30PM on Friday the 28th August to discuss any ideas people have for the season ahead. Nothing is off the table, “Don’t bring an umbrella to a brainstorm” as Ted Lasso would say.

Do we want 2 or 3 races per day?

What division should each class sail in?

How best to encourage new juniors?

Should we have a floating kiosk/bar at the finish line for between-race refreshments?

If you can’t make the meeting feel free to send me your ideas beforehand.

Another thing I need you all to do is LET ME KNOW ANY DATES YOU DON’T WANT TO BE ROSTERED ON DUTY FOR ASAP! I’ll give you all only few days to get back to me so do don’t delay.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text 0427 984 767

Looking forward to a great season, Ewan

The Executive Committee for Season 2026/2027 is as follows.... 

Commodore
John Wemyss 
Vice Commodore  
Ross Martin      
Rear Commodore  
vacant
Secretary
Amanda Malin 
Treasurer  
vacant
General / Sailing
Bill Manning
General / Training
Fiona Lowe
General 
Grace Lazzar 
General / Security
James Anderson
General
Jonathan Embrey  
General
Linda Wooley
Memberships
Mark McAuliffe
General / IT 
Neil Whitaker  
 

The newly elected Executive Committee held their first meeting last night. It was an informal meeting where Commodore John Wemyss gave a power point presentation on what the previous committee had been working on, to bring the current committee up to speed. The meeting touched on idea's that we would like to pursue this season and the role each executive member will play in making the most of our time on the committee. John Wemyss is away until 16th September. The next meeting will be held on 8th September, chaired by Vice Commodore Ross Martin. If there is a matter you would like the Committee to consider or discuss at our next meeting, please contact our Secretary, Amanda by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will ensure your enquiry is forwarded to the appropriate Committee member for review and discussion at the meeting. 

Keelboat News

Lipton Cup

Entries are now open for the 2026 Lipton Cup Regatta.  This year it is easier than ever for sailors to get involved, with FREE entry for all competitors and FREE berthing all weekend for visiting boats.
The regatta gets underway with our Invitational Twilight Race on Friday evening before two days of racing across Saturday and Sunday. Off the water, we've put together a strong social program featuring live music, pop-up bars, and great food and drink specials, making it a fantastic weekend for competitors, crews, families and supporters alike.
It would be great to see some of our yachts head up to the north end of the bay to represent SBSC at the Lipton Cup Regatta
 

Weighing Day

Sandringham Yacht Club will be conducting a weighing day on Sunday, 20th September 2026, from 9 am for boats that wish to obtain or update their measurement ratings certificates - AMS, ORC and IRC. In keeping with our usual practice, this day will be conducted by volunteers for the benefit of boat owners on Port Phillip.
The cost of the weighing will be $475 per boat.
We weigh all boats in their "empty" configuration, which means the IRC and ORC weights are provided. The AMS weight is the empty weight plus the weight of the AMS permitted gear, which is weighed separately in a basket on the club crane.
Please call Lowa on 0408 400 278 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries or would like to make a booking.
 

Hamilton Island Race Week 2026

As the event is still in progress, I don't have an official report yet. Here is a photo of Vincitore and crew supplied by Jann Wilson. 

                   

Please Support Me

 
For those that don’t know, I’ll be walking from Brisbane to Melbourne on August 24th this year. Four years ago I undertook a walk from Melbourne to Sydney with the aim of making the 900km distance in 16 days and I’m proud to say I made it, walking an average of 57km a day. I was tired but my body and legs felt I had more to give and it was about a year later that decided to double the distance and walk Brisbane to Melbourne, 1800km in 30 days. Now the maths isn’t hard, but that’s 60km per day! Of course there’s no point in achieving something extraordinary if it has no purpose, so I’ve teamed up with an organisation called “Challenge”, a cancer support network. I have been doing catering work for these guys for 28 years and once a month my business, donates a meal for the parents to come off the ward and take a break with other parents living a cancer journey, giving them space to talk and enjoy a home cooked meal in the confines of the hospital, whilst their children are taken care of by Challenge volunteers. A couple of Safety Beach members have been through the Challenge program. Challenge provide support for families enduring a cancer journey, they look after not only the patient but the siblings and parents also. They do this by providing a weekend away at one of their many donated properties, hospital visits by celebrities, a massage at the Challenge House retreat, a dad’s fishing day, home help and 
many camps for the kids, to name a few.
 
To run these programs, Challenge requires the funds to continue this valuable work. This is an organisation that is at the forefront of care for families. They are always recognising new ways to help, when others give up. David Rogers OAM has been a tireless leader of the organisation for over 30 years and has been recognised for his tireless commitment to the families that enter the hospital and inevitably, Challenge programs.
 
To find out more about Challenge, here’s the link Challenge - supporting kids with cancer : Home
 
So, I will be walking for these families that are going through the program now and for those who are to come. I’m asking my fellow members to support me in any way you can by donating to my walk. My goal is $50,000. I also ask that you follow my progress via Instagram or facebook @walk4challenge. Your support will mean a lot to me as I endure some pretty trying hours on the long road to Melbourne and ask that if you’re able, come and cheer me home on the 22nd of August at Challenge House, 329 Kings Way, West Melbourne at 4.00pm (my scheduled arrival time).
 
To donate, I’ve added my donation page link below.
You can also follow me on Strava at Walk for Challenge
 
Warmest Regards,
Andrew Martin (Mono)
 
 

ORCV News 

Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster
 
Entries are now open for the 2026 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, a blue-water ocean classic with more than 50 years of history and the highest-ranking race in the ORCV Offshore Championship. The 435NM course takes the fleet across Bass Strait, south along Tasmania's rugged and remote West Coast — a true test of strategy and seamanship for full crew, 4+ autohelm, and double handed boats alike. Join the legacy of more than 900 yachts and 7,000 crew members who've made this passage. Click here for more details and to enter the race.
 
Winter Training Courses 
 
The ORCV Winter Training Courses are still open for bookings. Winter is a great time to top up knowledge and get ready for the next season.
Bendigo Logo

Photo of the Week

Josh Brauckmann, Mika Robinson and John Wemyss sailing on 11.11 during their ORCV Brighton - Geelong Race.  

Submissions 

If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo of the Week to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Spotted a mistake or omission from the newsletter.......please let Fiona know as soon as possible to rectify immediately! 

 

 

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