Ichi Ban wins the Rhodes Waterside Farr 40 Regatta

(photo: Damian Devine, RPAYC)

Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban has won the Farr 40 Rhodes Waterside held at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club over the weekend. Martin Hills Estate Master finished second on a countback with Lang Walkers Kokomo (third).

Tacticians in the fleet included Colin Beashel on Kokomo and 2008 Olympic Laser representative Tom Slingsby on Transfusion, who you would have to say finished a disappointing 4th overall.

It sounds like the conditions were light and moderate over the three day regatta, no doubt providing the tacticians with plenty of headaches.

Results

1. Ichi Ban M Allen CYCA 13 pts
2. Estate Master M Hill MHYC 20
3. Kokomo L Walker CYCA 20
4. Transfusion G Belgiorno-Nettis MHYC 29
5. White Cloud B Neill RNZYS 32
6. Quantun Leap M Blumentals RPAYC 36
7. Revolution Edake J Carter MHYC 48
8. Impi I Resnekov RSYS 57

Asko Appliances take Race 1 of the 18ft Skiff Club Championship

(photo by Brad Maylon)

[Source: Australian 18 Footers League, Frank Quealey]

Hugh Stodart, Niall Kinch and Paul Schulz again showed their light wind skills when they steered Asko Appliances home an easy winner in Race 1 of the Australian 18 Footers League’s Club Championship on Sydney Harbour today.

The talented trio took their victory by 1min 15secs from John Harris’ Rag & Famish Hotel in the tricky light north-easterly breeze, with early leader Omega Smeg (Daniel Phillips) a further 20secs back in third place.

Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) finished a close fourth, followed by Fiat (Michael Coxon) with Australian champion Micah Lane’s Macquarie Real Estate in sixth place.

The young Pure Blonde crew, skippered by James Francis, won the start with a port tack at the buoy end of the line but midway up the first beat it was Fiat which showed the way from Pure Blonde and Asko.

Fiat was a clear leader over Asko on the left hand side of the course while Omega Smeg led a small group on the right.

A change came over the race on the final section of the leg where Asko took a 5secs lead from Fiat at the windward mark.

Omega Smeg was a further 10secs back in third place ahead of Gotta Love It 7, Ssangyong Yandoo, Macquarie Real Estate and Southern Cross Constructions, which was one minute from the lead.

Daniel Phillips made a great tactical move when he elected to gybe Omega Smeg immediately after rounding the mark.

The manouvre was a winner as it put Smeg into a 10secs lead at the wing mark at Rose Bay (Shark Island).

Smeg increased her lead over Asko to 18secs at the leeward mark while Gotta Love It 7 had moved into third place – 35secs from the leader.

Fiat was back in fourth spot, followed Yandoo, Macquarie, Rag & Famish (after a slow start), Pure Blonde, Kinder Caring Home Nursing and Southern Cross.

The red mainsail of Smeg led the pack back to the Beashel Buoy windward mark where her lead was now 20secs over Asko.

These two leaders had edged ahead of the next group and staged a great battle down the long spinnaker run back to the leeward mark off ClarkIsland.

Asko took the line down the northern shore while Smeg went to the middle.

When the pair met near Taylor Bay, Smeg held a narrow lead but the greater boat speed of Asko won out as she took a 15secs lead as they turned for the final lap of the course.

Asko revelled in the conditions over the final windward leg and headed for home with a race winning lead.

The battle was now on for the minor placings between Rag & Famish Hotel, Omega Smeg and Gotta Love It 7, which held the spectators interest right to the finish line.

The next race in the 13-race selection series to determine the Australian team for the Giltinan Championship will be sailed on Sunday 11 November.

The full result sheet from today’s race is attached and photographs from the racing will appear on the club’s www.18footers.com.au website

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League

Figaro Madness!

The french skipper Corentin Douguet sailing (or surviving) in 40-55 knots of wind in a Figaro. This guy must be completely nuts, struggling to keep it upright with main and jib, he then decides to hoist the chute and then promptly lay the boat on its side....

Team Acuity Win Rolex Osprey Cup Grade 1, Florida

RPAYC’s Team Acuity, comprising of Katie Spithill, Nina Curtis, Jessica Eastwell and Kristen Short took out the Rolex Osprey Cup, Grade 1 in St Petersburg, Florida, USA in convincing form winning both their semi finals and finals with a clean sweep.

Sailing in Sonars out of St Petersburg Yacht Club, the line up consisted of 10 teams from 4 nations, including Olympic sailors Sally Barlow – USA, Anna Tunnicliffe – USA and Guilia Conti – ITA.

The team finished 1st in the round robin, 2 wins clear of their next opponent. The semi-finals saw a rematch from the final in their last Grade 1 in Italy, where they’d finished 2nd against two-time world champion and Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Sally Barkow. Winning this in 3 straight wins, they moved onto the finals.

The team get back onto the long haul flight to Sydney tomorrow to return to normal life for a few days before training recommences with coach Traks Gordon for the 2008 ISAF Women’s Match Racing Worlds in Auckland, New Zealand in April.

Semi Finals
Katie Spithill 3 wins vs Sally Barkow 0 wins
Guilia Conti 3 wins vs Liz Baylis 2 wins

Finals
Katie Spithill 3 wins vs Gulia Conti 0 wins
Petit Finals 1. Sally Barkow 3 wins vs Liz Baylis 1 win

Final Placings
Katie Spithill - AUSTRALIA
Guilia Conti - ITALY
Sally Barkow - USA
Liz Baylis – USA

33rd America´s Cup - What´s the call Justice Cahn???

Justice Cahn has adjourned to make his decision regarding the validity of the CNEV challenge. One of five things could now happen,

1. He rules in favour of SNG (Alinghi). GGYC (BMW Oracle) then enter the competition and everyone gets on with the 33rd America’s Cup to be held in 2009.
2. He rules in favour of SNG. GGYC then appeal and the 33rd America’s Cup is delayed.
3. He rules in favour of GGYC. SNG appeal and the 33rd America’s Cup is delayed.
4. He rules in favour of GGYC. GGYC then become Challenger Of Record and the two parties agree to sail the existing IACC V5 boats in 2009.
5. He rules in favour of GGYC. GGYC then become Challenger Of Record and the two parties fail to agree on the new protocol. The 33rd America’s Cup is then raced in multihulls next year in accordance with the GGYC challenge.

If Justice Cahn was to rule in favour of SNG then it is hard to believe that Oracle (GGYC) would just drop the court case they have caused so much fuss about. Oracle, no doubt have the most money. A four year cup cycle allowing their design team to go to work would be the best option for them. So I think they would appeal the decision.

For me, options 2 & 3 seem the most likely. But let’s wait and see what the old codger has install for the America’s Cup community.

Gotta Love It 7 - 2 wins from 2 races

Photo: Brad Maylon
[Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League]
Seve Jarvin and his young Gotta Love It 7 team of Sam Newton and Robert Bell won their second successive race of the season when they mastered the 20-knot North East wind to take out the Life Members Trophy on Sydney Harbour today.

Gotta Love It 7 had the boat speed upwind and were spectacular under spinnaker to win by 24secs from Ssangyong Yandoo (John Winning) with CST Composites (Chris Dixon) a further 12secs back in third place.

Behind the placegetters were Macquarie Real Estate (Micah Lane), Fiat (Michael Coxon) and Asko Appliances (Hugh Stodart).

Gotta Love It 7 led a tightly bunched fleet to the windward marks, where the three-buoys came into play for the first of three times during the race.

Macquarie Real Estate took advantage of going to the middle mark and was first to set her spinnaker, ahead of Sean Langman’s Thurlow Fisher, 7, Asko, CST and Ssangyong Yandoo.

The spinnaker run to the wing had the spectators cheering loudly as the skiffs jumped across the water at tremendous speed.

7 took the lead off Steel Point to lead at the wing mark but Ssangyong Yandoo was putting plenty of pressure on to grab second place ahead of Macquarie Real Estate.

Keith Piggin Real Estate (Peter Morrison) joined the leading group on this leg and was holding sixth spot before breaking a mast at the gybe.

The three leading teams worked back up the second windward leg with little between them.

Ssangyong Yandoo rounded the blue marker 15secs ahead of Gotta Love It 7 which had to go to the further white buoy. Macquarie was next to the blue buoy and actually split the others with the distance advantage over 7.

Once again Gotta Love It 7 was brilliant on the long downwind leg to the start mark and from that point was never headed to score an excellent victory.

The strong winds took a toll on the fleet with only 14 of the 21 starters completing the course.

Next week is Race 1 of the Club Championship and is also the first selection race to determine Australia’s 15 boats to contest the 2008 Giltinan Championship in February.



Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League

Alinghi hopeful of last minute agreement

This reply by Alinghi to Tom Ehman´s scathing comments of yesterday! Considering the battle of words in the press over the last two days, I think there is little hope of a last minute agreement and the 33rd America´s Cup with be locked up in court from Monday.

[Source: Alinghi]

Over the past few months Alinghi, Defender of the 33rd America’s Cup, has been engaged in dialogue with BMW Oracle Racing (BOR) at various levels in an attempt to find a solution to the law suit filed by the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) against the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG). BMW Oracle, through Russell Coutts, has repeatedly shifted the discussion frame by adding new demands each time Alinghi moved to resolve the issues raised. Nonetheless, the last communication to BOR from Alinghi before their press release was an invitation to a private meeting in New York before the hearing to try and resolve the issue once and for all. This morning they confirmed their attendance at this meeting.

The Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) and Alinghi have done much to try to convince BOR to drop their law suit; the SNG instigated a Protocol review with the entered Challengers and, with the Challenger of Record, Club Náutico Español de Vela, agreed a number of amendments to satisfy the GGYC and BMW Oracle's claims. At this point, Russell Coutts requested via the Challengers group, reassurance that Alinghi would not have a head start in designing their new boat and advised at least two challengers BOR would settle if Alinghi could prove it did not have a design advantage.

Alinghi responded by asking the entered Challengers to set the displacement, a fundamental parametre, for the new class. The Challengers did so, and were satisfied that this would negate any design head start. For BOR it still was not enough and they then wanted to analyse the displacement parametre in light of the full rules, not trusting the Challenger’s designers, who confirmed the parametre was crucial enough to provide the expected guarantees.

To the dismay of Alinghi and the Challengers, BOR, through Russell, sent a letter on 18th October to Alinghi with a further nine issues to be satisfied, including new points not previously raised. Several of these were completely against the fundamentals of the programme agreed by all legitimately entered Challengers and the cost cutting strategy presiding over the 33rd America’s Cup.

With regard to the rules disclosure, Grant Simmer, Alinghi design team coordinator, says: "Alinghi is working with the Challengers to develop the new class rule. This was started on the 15 September and the Challengers have stated that they are happy with this process. There are several key issues still being debated but we are working towards issuing the rule on 31 October. If BOR chooses to enter they will be welcomed into this process.”

Brad Butterworth, Alinghi team skipper, adds his positive comments on the situation: “We are driven by the vision to create a bigger and better event for everyone in 2009 with new boats but reduced costs and increased competition. Some may say we were too ambitious but since then we have undertaken a raft of measures to try and find a solution to this issue. We have consulted on the design of the new class, we have amended the Protocol and we have allowed the challengers to pick the displacement of the boat, as we were led to believe this was the last remaining issue for BMW Oracle. Despite not yet having issued the new class rule, they know a lot about the concept, plus they had the chance to agree the displacement. I firmly believe that there is still time left to agree a solution with BMW Oracle and for them to drop their law suit and join the other Challengers to help us make this an even greater event than the last. The last communication that we sent to them before their press release of last night was an invitation to a private meeting in New York on Monday morning before the hearing to have one last go at finding an agreement, something we still hope to do for the better of the event, the challengers and us.”

Wot Yot takes the treble in the Flinders Island Race

Looks like the little boats got shafted again in the third race of the Blue Water Pointscore! There luck has to change soon - doesn´t it?

Here´s the race report.

[Source: Lisa Ratcliff]

Prior to last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, Graeme Wood was named Ocean Racing Rookie of the Year at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s annual awards night. Ten months on, the success of his TP52 Wot Yot now has Wood in contention for offshore yachting’s ultimate prize, the Tattersalls Cup for the overall winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Heading into last night’s Flinders Island Race, the third of the seven-race Blue Water Pointscore Series which includes the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Wood was leading the IRC pointscore. Following confirmation this afternoon of Wot Yot’s IRC and PHS wins, Wood has cemented his top placing and importantly, his confidence has skyrocketed.

“Winning on IRC is the game for us,” said a delighted Wood, who left the boat in the capable hands of skipper Mike Green for last night’s 92 miler while he attended a function.

“This is our first attempt at the Blue Water Pointscore and now we are doing so well I can say that it’s become a very serious attempt.

“We decided after Audi Hamilton Island Race Week that we had to get our act together. We have checked all the hardware and the sails and now we are playing around with the crew weight…and stepping everything up a notch.

“I run a Corinthian crew and we are in it for the fun and the glory. I think that makes a positive difference to the attitude on the boat,” Wood added.

The 22 boat fleet that lined up at 8pm last night in Sydney Harbour for the race to Flinders Islet, off Wollongong, was tested when they were smacked by two southerly fronts, the first hitting at 20 knots at around 10pm last night and the second striking with more force at 35 knots.

After rounding Flinders Islet, the front runners hoisted spinnakers for a quick sprint back up the coast, the breeze averaging 20 knots until sunrise at around 4.30am this morning when it began to lighten off.

Wot Yot hit a top boat speed of 25 knots during the run home and took line honours at 6am, almost 20 minutes ahead of Scooter, Sean Langman’s former Grundig/AAPT sailing its first race under new Queensland owner Peter Harburg.

Despite its conservative race, Andrew Short Marine Brindabella was third over the line and second on PHS results. During the worst of last night’s southerlies, skipper Andrew Short decided to play it safe by dropping the Jutson 79’s huge mainsail and beating to Flinders under headsail only. Like many in the fleet, Short is trialling crew for the Rolex Sydney Hobart and he was prepared to sacrifice speed in order to finish the race without incident.

On provisional IRC handicap results, Wot Yot beat sistership Ragamuffin, Syd Fischer’s new TP52 sailing only its second race since arriving in Australia in September, and ASM Brindabella.In the Tasman Performance Series (PHS) results, Wot Yot beat ASM Brindabella and Scooter.

While the larger boats were able to squeeze the last out of the dying S/SE breeze, the tail enders had a painfully slow morning foundering off Wollongong in 2 knots of wind.

Denis Doyle’s Sextant was the third last boat to finish at 3.37pm this afternoon, Doyle reporting “at dawn the breeze backed to the west and went light for us off Bellambi, which is when the little boats got buried. It was a battle to keep the boat rolling…eventually at around midday an easterly then a sea breeze filled in and we had a beautiful sail home”.

Four yachts retired overnight and this morning, they were Rod Skellet’s Krakatoa, Rob Reynolds’ Pla Loma IV, Phil Darling’s eXpresso and Geoff Hill’s Swan Song.

The final Blue Water race before the double points earner, the Rolex Sydney Hobart which will start at 1pm on Boxing Day`, is the 180 nautical mile Cabbage Tree Island Race on Friday 9 November 2007.

Most of the yachts which went to sea last night have been nominated for the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart with a total of 58 yachts on the application for entry list so far. The closing date for applications is Friday 2 November 2007 and the CYCA is anticipating a fleet of 80 yachts.

Full results from the Flinders Island Race available at http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/bwps_308rr.htm - Lisa Ratcliff

Bertarelli Speaks, Part II

Here is a link to a great interview by Stuart Streuli with Alinghi head, founder and billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.

Bertarelli comments on his friendship and eventual falling out with Russell Coutts, saying that Coutts would only helm Alinghi in the 32nd America´s Cup if Bertarelli handed him the team at the end of the cycle! He also makes some interesting comments on the state of affairs in the 33rd America´s Cup and the protocol. See, there´s always two sides to a story!

Read the interview at Sailing World here.

2008 Australian Olympic Team Announced

[source: Australian Olympic Committee]

The first members of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team were announced at a press conference in Sydney on 18 October 2007.

Following nomination from Yachting Australia the Australian Olympic Committe is pleased to select 16 outstanding sailors. A decision on the women's Laser Radial class will be made shortly.
Hopes are high for the sailing team to produce several medals in Beijing. Below are short biographies on those athletes selected. Full biographies will appear on olympics.om.au in November.

Elise Rechichi – 470 Perth, WA
Elise Rechichi and her 470 partner Tessa Parkinson are genuine medal hopes for Beijing. In 2005 they were named Australian Youth Team of the year at the Australian Sport Awards. Twelve months later Elise contracted a debilitating virus after cutting her foot whilst launching her boat at a test event in China. The young Western Australian lost 20 per cent of her body weight and was sleeping up to18 hours a day as a result. With courage and perseverance Elise fought back and in 2007 the pair clinched gold at the Olympic Test event in Qingdao, China.

Tessa Parkinson – 470 Perth, WA
Tessa Parkinson and Elise Rechichi will be two of the youngest Australian Team members at the sailing venue in Qingdao. Tessa was introduced to the sport by her family and friends as an eight-year-old, sailing Mirror dinghies at Fremantle Sailing Club. Her childhood ambition “to be the best at a sport and to go to the Olympic Games,” has inspired the Western Australian to achieve amazing results over her short career. Tessa’s career highlights include winning the 2007 Olympic Test event and being named 2005 Australian Youth Team of the year at the Australian Sport Awards.

Nathan Wilmot – 470 Sydney, NSW
Athens Olympian, Nathan Wilmot, made history with sailing partner, Malcolm Page, at the 2007 World Championships by securing gold in the 470 class. This was their third 470 World Title as a pair. And they are only the third pair ever to win three World Championships in their discipline.

Malcolm Page – 470 Sydney, NSW
After winning his third World Championship title in July 2007, Malcolm Page and partner Nathan Wilmot are in-form and determined to stand on the podium in Beijing. In Athens, Malcolm believes the pair’s greatest hurdle was psychology. “It was our first Olympics and I don’t think we appreciated what it was. We also made little errors that compounded and we let it slip away. I think we overcame that, which is why we dominated the 2005 Worlds,” he said. Malcolm and Nathan’s focus is now on Olympic gold, especially since they’ve achieved everything else in this class.

Tom Slingsby – Laser Sydney, NSW
2007 World Laser Champion, Tom Slingsby, has his eyes set on Beijing gold after his recent taste of victory. The 23-year-old from the Central Coast of NSW was introduced to the sport by his family at the age of eight. “My Dad is my biggest support. He’s taken me on yachts all my life and helps me in every way,” said Slingsby, who is currently coached by Arthur Brett. In 2006, Tom won the ISAF World Sailing Games title, and he rates that win as a career highlight, but Tom’s proudest moment was actually winning the 2007 World Title, an Olympic selection event, under difficult racing conditions and media pressure.

Jessica Crisp – RS:X Sydney, NSW
Jessica Crisp is a seasoned Olympic campaigner. In 1984 as a 14 year-old, Jessica competed at the Los Angeles Games in the windsurfing exhibition event. Since then Jessica has represented Australia at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games in the Mistral windsurfing event, placing 5th and 6th respectively. In 2008, this event has been replaced with the RS:X class of windsurfing. In 2006, Jessica placed 7th at the ISAF RS:X World Championships and she rates this result as a career highlight because “sailing and racing this board is like a whole new sport,” she said.

Darren Bundock - Tornado Gosford, NSW
The name Darren Bundock is synonymous with Australian Sailing. The two-time Olympian is back for number three in Beijing. In Sydney he won silver and in Beijing he wants to go one better. “After 16 years of international competition I still love the sport and competing at the highest level, which is what you need to stay motivated,” said Darren. At the 2007 ISAF World Championships he placed a notable 4th with sailing partner Glenn Ashby. Over his illustrious career, Darren has won 10 world titles. His most recent world crowns include the 2006 ISAF World Championships in Argentina (Tornado class) and 2007 F18 World Championships (F18 class).

Glenn Ashby – Tornado Bendigo, VIC
Beijing 2008 is Glenn Ashby’s first Olympic Games and with partner Darren Bundock. They are a dynamite combination. In 2007, they won gold at the F18 World Championship (F18 Class) and in Argentina in 2006 they claimed the Tornado class World Championship crown. In 2006, Glenn also won the A Class World Championship. “I like going hard and fast. I’ve had so many bumps and crashes in my sport I’ve lost count,” said Glenn, who resides in Victoria and is coached by Michael Fletcher.

Nicky Bethwaite – Yngling (subject to medical assessment on 8 January 2008) Sydney, NSW
At 53 years of age, Nicky Bethwaite will be a senior member of the 2008 Australian Team. Nicky first represented Australia at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988 in the 470 class. Yngling class was introduced at the 2004 Athens Games which sparked renewed Olympic interest for Nicky. She placed 13th in Athens and in 2008 Nicky is determined to better this result with her team mates Karyn Gojnich and Angela Farrell. In late 2007, Nicky suffered a setback to her Olympic campaign after breaking both her arms in a bike riding accident. However, this will not deter her.

Karyn Gojnich – Yngling (subject to Nicky Bethwaite satisfying nomination conditions on 8 January 2008) Sydney, NSW
Mother of two, Karyn Gojnich is ready for Beijing. In 1988, Karyn was one of the first female sailors to represent Australia at the Olympic Games competing in the 470 class with Nicky Bethwaite. The Beijing Games will be Karyn’s third Olympic Games and she will have familiar company. Nicky Bethwaite is again Karyn’s teammate with Olympic newcomer Angela Farrell making up the crew.

Angela Farrell – Yngling (subject to Nicky Bethwaite satisfying nomination conditions on 8 January 2008) Sydney, NSW
Sydney youngster, Angela Farrell, has teamed up with two of the most respected women in Australian Sailing, Nicky Bethwaite and Karyn Gojnich, for her first Olympic campaign. In Beijing Angela will be competing in the Yngling class. “Being in command of experienced skippers means stepping up to the challenge in training, racing, and off-water commitment,” said Angela. At the 2007 ISAF World Championships the team finished a commendable 10th.

Nathan Outteridge – 49er Wangi Wangi, NSW
Beijing will be Nathan Outteridge’s first Olympic Games. He is ready and focused. “I have done so many overseas competitions in which I have learnt so much,” said Nathan. His crew-mate for Beijing is Ben Austin and over the past two years this partnership has resulted in some impressive results on the international 49er class circuit. At the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships the pair took home bronze.

Ben Austin – 49er Sydney, NSW
Ben Austin will be making his Olympic debut in Beijing with crew-mate Nathan Outteridge. In 2007, this pair took home bronze at the ISAF Sailing World Championships, and at the 2008 Games they are determined to make another podium appearance. “The biggest challenge I face in my whole Olympic campaign is to be successful as a sailor, a physiotherapist and a husband,” said Ben.

Iain Murray – Star Sydney, NSW
Iain Murray is one of the biggest names in sailing. From 1977 to 1982, Iain won a record six consecutive 18ft skiff world titles. Iain was project director/design team and helmsman for Kevin Parry’s Kookaburra Syndicate for the 1987 America’s Cup defence. The father of three is also an exceptional businessman. He has an engineering/naval architect degree and his business involves designing and building in areas of aged care, marinas, childcare, hotels and boat building. In Beijing Iain will be competing in the Star class with crew-mate Andrew Palfrey.

Andrew Palfrey - Star Sydney, NSW
Andrew Palfrey will be making his Olympic debut with crew-mate, Iain Murray. At the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships, this talented pair finished in 9th place. In 1999, Andrew with team mates Cameron Miles and James Mayo just missed selection in the Soling Class for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. However this did not deter the trio; they went on to win the 1999 Etchell’s World Championships. “The Etchell sailing was part of our Soling training,” Andrew said.

Anthony Nossiter - Finn Sydney, NSW
Beijing 2008 will be Anthony Nossiter’s third Olympic Games. At the 2004 Athens Games the certified practicing accountant from Sydney placed an impressive 6th in the Finn Class and at the Sydney 2000 Games he finished 13th. Anthony is on track for another successful Olympic campaign. Recently he clinched 10th place at the 2007 ISAF World Championships.

Pimp my ride

[source: Sailing Anarchy and some dude named “Sportscar”!]

Well OK maybe just sell the shitter and upgrade to a flat out IRC racer. This is yet another new "Chutzpah" for Bruce Taylor of Melbourne. Designed by Reichel-Pugh and built by Hart Marine on the Mornington Peninsula, this 40 foot IRC racer is sure to turn some heads.

Looks like Bruce has decided to throw everything at winning this years Sydney to Hobart, a goal which has eluded him for many years.

The boat features a nice long bowsprit for hanging those massive asymmetric sails off. Double spreader rig, twin steering wheels and a chine in the stern area (a common feature on today’s racers TP52, VO70, etc).

Nice job fellas! Can’t wait to see it out sailing.

Ichi Ban wins the Corinthian Doors Peppers Anchorage F40 Regatta

After three days of racing at Port Stephens on the central coast of New South Wales, Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban has defended their title from 2006 and won the Corinthian Doors Peppers Anchorage Farr 40 regatta. Seven boats raced in the nine race series and enjoyed a variety of conditions, from picture perfect spring weather to thunderstorms and torrential downpours.


The final day of racing and the fleet sailed for a third day just north of Cabbage Tree Island. After waiting under postponement for nearly two hours while the race committee waited for the breeze to settle, racing eventually got away in an eight knot nor’easter.

Overnight points on the leader board had the first five boats within striking distance of each other so crews were keen to make every move count. Leading the fleet around the mark for the first time was Jeff Carter’s Revolution Edake with Ichi Ban in pursuit. Ichi Ban managed to sail through Revolution Edake and stay in the lead to cross the line for the first of their two wins for the day.

Race nine and the pin end of the start line became rather congested while Ichi Ban and Transfusion ran down the line from the boat end. Ichi Ban timed the start perfectly and showed the fleet a clean set of heels as she headed to the right side of the course. They continued to extend their lead but a headsail halyard breaking just after they rounded the bottom mark gave them a slight fright but the crew made a quick recovery and they went on to take the second gun for the day.

“It’s been great to be back sailing with the Australian fleet and the racing has been close all weekend. We had a moment today when the crew worked really well together to recover from a halyard breaking and it shows how important good crew work is in this fleet. The local fleet will see a number of teams back racing over the next few regattas and we are looking forward to an exciting season with the Australian fleet”, commented Allen after his win.

Class newcomer Guido Belgiorno-Nettis’s Transfusion had a great start to they Farr 40 racing coming second to Ichi Ban on a countback with Lisa and Martin Hill’s Estate Master filling the third place on the podium. “We’re very pleased with this result and Matt and his team have shown us what we have to aim for”, said Guido Belgiorno-Nettis.

The Farr 40 class would like to thank event sponsors Corinthian Doors, Peppers Anchorage and Club Marine Insurance for their continued support.

The next event on the Australian Farr 40 schedule is the Pittwater Regatta being hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, October 26-28.

Women's Match Racing Worlds Head Down Under

[Source: ISAF]

The Notice of Race for the 2008 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship is now available on the newly launched championship microsite.

View the Notice of Race, along with past World Championship results, at the newly launched championship microsite - www.sailing.org/wmatchworlds.

The tenth edition of the ISAF Women’s World Championship will also be the first held in the Southern Hemisphere, with the world’s top women match racers set to go head to head in Auckland, New Zealand from 1-6 April.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, winner of the 1995 and 2000 America’s Cup, will host the 2008 Worlds.

Racing on Waitemata Harbour will take place in ten Elliott 6m boats owned by the Squadron and used for the New Zealand Women’s Match Racing Championship over the last few years.

On 1 April 2008 the Opening Ceremony at the RNZYS will get the Worlds underway, with the final, to decide the 2008 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Champion, scheduled for 6 April.

Fourteen skippers will be invited to contest the title. As defending champion Claire LEROY (FRA), long time leader of the ISAF World Match Race Rankings and a nominee for the 2007 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award, receives an automatic invite. Invitations will also be sent to the top ten skippers from next release of the Women’s ISAF World Match Race Rankings on 24 October (affectively the top 11 with LEROY already occupying the #1 spot).

Two qualifying events – the ISAF Grade 2 CYCA Harken Women’s Match Race in Sydney and the ISAF Grade 3 New Zealand Women’s Match Racing Championships will offer lower Ranked skippers an opportunity to earn the right to challenge for the World title. In addition to this their will be one wildcard entry.

John CRAWFORD, RNZYS Commodore, is looking forward to host the Worlds, "We have the world class resources to run this event!” he said. “Ten fully equalized boats, experienced Race and Boat Management teams, a great umpire team, including America's Cup Umpires - we are really looking forward to hosting this world class competition."Sara ROBERTS, RNZYS Sailing Manager and a former match racer, added, “It is a great opportunity to see the world’s best girls here in Auckland. We are sure that we will have a real World Championship on a very high level!”

Gotta Love It 7 takes the Alf Beashel Trophy

[Source: Australian 18 Footers League]

The new 18ft Skiff season got off to a great start today with a 12knot North East wind and a 21-boat fleet on hand on Sydney Harbour.

The Gotta Love It 7 team, skippered by Seve Jarvin with crew of Sam Newton and Robert Bell, showed they were again going to be a force when they took out the Alf Beashel Trophy by 41secs.

Pure Blonde (James Francis) finished second with Southern Cross Constructions (Chris Pomfret) a further 44secs back in third place.

Right from the start Gotta Love It 7 took the lead as the fleet headed for the triple windward marks near the Beashel Buoy.

Closely bunched behind the leader were Fiat, Asko Appliances, Rag & Famish Hotel and Active Air-2UE.

Nearing the windward marks, Rag & Famish crossed 7 to grab a narrow lead but it was the “C/Red” mark skiffs which came out on top as the fleet headed downwind.

Southern Cross Constructions led Maytag which “B/Blue” marker skiffs Gotta Love It 7 and Maytag led the chasers.

Fisher & Paykel was fifth, followed by CST Composites, with Rag & Famish (the leading “A/White” marker) seventh just ahead of Fiat.

Pure Blonde gybed inside Southern Cross at the wing mark to take the lead then held her lead at the end of the first lap - but it was now Gotta Love It 7 in second place.

7’s upwind speed was enough to lead narrowly at the 3-buoys windward marks the second time and the pair staged a good duel on the straight run back to the leeward mark.

Although Pure Blonde’s crew continued to pressure the Gotta Love It 7 team, the t crew maintained their advantage over the final lap of the course to score a good first up win.

Many new teams were having their first race start and once they have gained a little more experience we are in for another great season.

Next weekend we stage another 3-buoys handicap race for the Life Members Trophy.

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League

CYCA Bluewater Pointscore - Bird Island

The first race in this years Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Blue Water Pointscore was held on Friday night. With a forecast that promised fresh to frightening NW conditions, all competitors were hopefull of finishing the 85 nautical mile course in well under 12 hours. Unfortunately is was not to be and before the boats had even left the harbour after the 7pm start they were becalmed. It proved to be a challenging night, with frequent holes in the breeze and sloppy conditions on the Tasman Sea.

It was day break before the first boat "Wot Yot" rounded Bird Island, the 40nm leg taking just under 12hours (painfully slow). At this stage a moderate NW breeze was in and all were hoping that the forecast would come true. The leading yachts held onto this breeze but once again the small boats got shafted! The Easterly sea breeze battling the hot nor-westerly. "Splash Gordon" reported completing several auto-gybes, sailing peacfully along in the westerly only to have it completely crap out and come instantly from the east.

"Wot Yot" beat Syd Fischer's new Ragamuffin (ex-Morning Light TP52) who finished 3rd with the once great maxi Brindabella 2nd across the line.

Here's a link to the IRC results.
http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/bwps_208rr.htm

ISAF World Sailing Rankings - 3 October

Good news for Australia! Lets hope these great results continue into 2008.

[Source: ISAF]

Australia hold onto their three top spots whilst there is just one change amongst the leaders in the latest release of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings on 3 October.

The Aussies stay at the top of the Laser, 470 Men and Tornado Rankings thanks to Tom SLINGSBY, Nathan WILMOT and Malcolm PAGE, and Darren BUNDOCK and Glenn ASHBY respectively. The single change amongst the world #1 crews sees the Polish team of Mateusz KUSZNIEREWICZ and Tomasz HOLC move up one place to claim the top spot in the Star. Even without regular crew Dominik ZYCKI, KUSZNIEREWICZ claimed a top ten finish at the recent ISAF Grade C1 Star Europeans to leapfrog Xavier ROHART and Pascal RAMBEAU (FRA) and reclaim the world #1 spot he held once before in May.

Despite Australia’s three world #1 spots, it is Spain who can claim the title of top nation in this Ranking release with four teams occupying top three spots. Marina ALABAU leads the RS:X Women Rankings, Fernando ECHAVARRI and Anton PAZ, and Iker MARTINEZ and Xavi FERNANDEZ lie second in the Tornado and 49er Rankings respectively, whilst Ivan PASTOR stays at #3 in the RS:X Men Rankings.It is also a very good Ranking release for Germany and Poland. The Germans, like Spain, hold four top three spots, whilst Poland hold two top spots and a second place. The Netherlands also perform well, however Great Britain drops off the pace somewhat. After being the top nation in the previous Ranking release, the Brits lose two of their top three spots and fall back to sixth nation.