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.
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