Farr 40 Australian fleet head into battle for NSW State Title crown

After five competitive regattas held in Newcastle, Pittwater and Sydney, the strong Farr 40 Australian Fleet are ready to make it count at the NSW State Title hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club over two days of racing offshore and inside Sydney Harbour on 2 & 3 February 2019.

With past reigning champions like Guido Belgiorno-Nettis and Martin Hill retired from the Class, the winning title has never been more highly sought after and the eight boat fleet are ready for the big hit out.

Tom and Alan Quick’s Outlaw have led the season with four from five wins closely followed by Jeff Carter’s Team Edake and MHYC local Exile.  Two teams from Victoria, Double Black and Nutcracker are also in the mix along with Sam Hill’s RSYS entry Forty and Newcastle’s Good Form owned by Midcoast Boatyard Owner, Joe de Kock.

Australian Class President Gordon Keteleby has been busy with his other Zen (TP52) in the Sydney to Hobart and now that is behind him he is more determined than ever to finish the season on a high. “It’s been a busy few months of sailing for me with the Farr 40 Worlds in Chicago and then the Sydney to Hobart and now I am fully focussed on the Farr 40 end of season programme.  The Class is very strong with a bunch of super competitive young blokes and I’m hoping to give them a run for their money”.

The Zen Skipper continued, “We are very fortunate to have some successful and generous businessmen in our Class and I would like to thank Rob Pitts (Hacer Group) and Rob Reynolds for sponsoring this year’s State Title and National Championship (the John Calvert-Jones Trophy)”.

The Class’ legendary PRO Phil Yeomans is unable to run the races for the last regatta at MHYC for the season and Steve Tucker is stepping in and will be calling the shots this weekend for up to eight races; four offshore and four inside Sydney Harbour.

List of entries:

1. Double Black - Rob Pitts, Sandringham Yacht Club and MHYC
2. Edake - Jeff Carter, MHYC
3. Exile - Rob Reynolds, MHYC
4. Forty - Sam Hill, RSYS
5. Good Form – Joe de Kock, NCYC
6. Nutcracker – Rob Davis & Andy Baker, SYC
7. Outlaw – Alan & Tom Quick, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
8. Zen - Gordon Ketelbey, MHYC

Results will be posted after each race at http://www.farr40.asn.au/results/

To view the MHYC Event Page - click here

Read more: Farr 40 Australian fleet head into battle for NSW State Title crown

Sydney Harbour Regatta: Conspiracy in form at Sydney 38 Australian Championship

Peter Byford and David Hudson have come out the cream of the crop on Day 1 of the Yoti Sydney 38 Championship at the Sydney Harbour Regatta, hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), sailing Conspiracy to two wins from three races for an early lead this afternoon.

The reigning NSW champions and third placegetters at the 2018 Australian Championship, Byford and Hudson are making no bones about their desire to ramp it up a notch this year, despite a larger field than last time around.

However, the Pittwater pair by no means had it all their own way, they lead by one point from Alan and Tom Quick, recently crowned Farr 40 NSW champions. The CYCA father and son may have switched one-design classes, but they arrived fully cocked and loaded with The Goat, scoring a pair of third places and a win for second place overall

Conspiracy though, also won Boat of the Day, and proudly flew that flag, co-owner, David Hudson said.

The day of racing, Hudson said, “Wasn’t too bad. We had from 8-12 knots. It was good constant racing on a reasonably flat sea. It was close and competitive. We’ll have to stay on our toes, as we’ve got The Goat on our tails. We haven’t raced against them before; they did a good job today.”

Hudson said they were pleased with their starts and crew performance: “It all went well. No stuff ups, no accidents, good competitive racing. And I have to say that the new people in the class acquitted themselves well.”

Tom Quick agreed: “It’s a great fleet of amateur and professional sailors, like the Farr 40 class.”

With guru David Chapman calling the shots “and he’s doing main as well,” Quick said, The Goat crew went in with heads down and tails up, as some got their heads out of the Farr 40 and into the Sydney 38 – very different boats.

”It’s been five years since we sailed a Sydney 38 - so it was a bit different coming back – but it was good. We’re enjoying the boat. It was a nice range of wind – perfect really. We had only one problem; getting a jib up in Race 3 when we were leading. But we got around mark and got it up and still won - no other dramas.

“We chartered The Goat. We have a mix of crew; one from The Goat and some youth sailors from France, the CYCA and one from Lightspeed (the MC38), Zak Quinlan. He’ll go back to them for the rest of the regatta, so today was good practice for him.”

Quick added, “Seems Conspiracy is the boat to beat, but consistency is the key and will be the decider, as it always is in one-design racing. We still have six races to go.”  

Sailing windward/leeward courses on the Manly Circle, Conspiracy pipped Challenge (second at the NSW Championship), Greg Croak’s NSW Central Coast entry, by 27 seconds in the opening race. The Goat took third place, a further 15 seconds in arears.

You could feel class newcomer Peter Sorensen’s frustration, when his recent purchase ‘Advanced Philosophy’ (the former Phoenix, winner of the 2015, ’16 and ‘18 Australian Championships), with Ron Jacobs calling tactics, scored OCS in Race 1. First time jitters, I’m sure, from this local skiff and yacht champion.    

In Race 2, it was Conspiracy getting the gun again, this time from Phil Tomkins’ Adrenalin (CYCA) and The Goat in third

But in Race 3, The Goat was too ‘Quick’ for the rest, and the CYCA entry took the bullet from Richard Williams’ Calibre, (also CYCA and third at the NSW Championship) by a six second split, with Conspiracy 25 seconds adrift of Calibre.

Day 1 of the Yoti 2019 Sydney 38 Australian Championship was in limbo before the midday start time, when a wafting 2-3 knots was all that could be mustered - a moderate north/easterly breeze filtered in just in time.  

A General Recall started the day, as is sometimes the case in a first race on Day 1 in a high-stakes championship where competitors take the ‘no prisoners’ approach.

Competitors in this popular class know how to celebrate and wind down in style after a day of racing, taking in Norths Happy Hour drinks at MHYC on docking, before a dinner for all crews.

A fleet of 11 Sydney 38 One-Designs are taking part in the three-day Australian Championship, starting off this weekend’s 14^th running of the Sydney Harbour Regatta. It is one of the largest class events for many years, with some new owners and return players from around NSW joining the circuit regulars.

Windward/leeward racing continues on the Manly Circle tomorrow, when officials will aim to put three more races to bed.

Full results and all information: www.shr.mhyc.com.au   

By Di Pearson, MHYC media

Read more: Sydney Harbour Regatta: Conspiracy in form at Sydney 38 Australian Championship

Melges 20 Open Twilight Sprints

It was a perfect evening for the continuation of the Melges 20 Open Twilight Sprint Series on Tuesday, January 22.

Three Melges were joined by a visiting Viper for the start of the first race in a moderate north-easterly of 15-17 knots to held for the evening's racing. 

Louis Blateau sailing Onya was first home in race one with Brett Lawson and the crew of 194 winning the final two races to hold a handy lead in the series after nine races.

To see the latest results - click here 

Read more: Melges 20 Open Twilight Sprints

MHYC wins Daydream Shield

Middle Harbour Yacht Club has won the Daydream Shield Interclub Regatta between Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Saturday 23 February 2019. 

Three two-of-a-kind fleet races were conducted for the J24, Farr 30 and Melges 32 classes with one of each class from MHYC and SASC.  A moderate to fresh southerly provided some exciting racing, with some rain squalls reducing visibility at times.  

Two of the races were won by MHYC and one by SASC with MHYC coming out winners overall with a score of 27 to SASC's 36 points.  There was some close inter-class racing, especially with the Melges 32 and Farr 30 pairings.  Congratulations and well done to Team MHYC:

• XC3SS, Peter Woodhead (Melges 32)
• Optimum, Stuart Jordan (Farr 30)
• Ace, David West (J24) 

Results

Team Score Summary  

Read more: MHYC wins Daydream Shield

Chaos & Bedlam in Fresh Breezes

Today's Chaos Cup and Bedlam Point Cup were sailed in a fresh southerly making for a quick trip to Abbotsford and back.

This popular annual club race was also race two in the Jeanneau Cup Series, attracting a strong fleet of 16 Jeanneau yachts. Christopher Stannard's Worlds Apart claimed the Jeanneau Division 4 win from Galan and Pinta Bay.

Winner of the Chaos Cup and Division 1 was Toy Box 2 (Ian Box), with Pindamara (Mark McLean) claiming the Bedlam Point Cup for the Non-Spinnaker Division.  Division 2 was led home by Innamincka (John Crawford).

To view the results - click here

Read more: Chaos & Bedlam in Fresh Breezes

NSW 29er Championships decided at MHYC

Seven races over two warm days of sunshine and light to moderate breezes decided the NSW 29er Championships at MHYC this weekend following on from the first two days held at Wangi RSLSC in November.

MHYC teams made a clean sweep of the podium.  Archie Cropley & Max Paul posted 12 first places over the 14 race series to claim the Open 29er NSW Championship in convincing fashion along with the Youth Team trophy. Max Giffney & Maddy McLeay were second overall, also claiming the Junior Team and Mixed Crew prizes.  Hugo Taranto & Hugo Darin were third.  The first All Female Team was Grace Powers & Kate Richardson (RPAYC/MHYC).

Another seven races were also conducted for the Nacra 15 Traveller Series with three boats taking race wins.

To view the 29er and Nacra 15 results - click here

Photos by David Staley

Read more: NSW 29er Championships decided at MHYC

Clean sweep for Mark Spring in Pittwater to Paradise

By High Profile Media

New entrant to yacht racing, Mark Spring, has sprung into action in his first major ocean race by taking overall wins in all categories (IRC, ORCI, PHS) in the Club Marine Pittwater to Paradise racing, finishing on the Gold Coast and hosted by RPAYC in early January.

Whilst Mark is not new to sailing, having owned the Jeanneau 49 ‘The Dish’, he has only recently begun ocean racing – and the Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) member won on his first go with his aptly named Beneteau 45, ‘Highly Sprung’, which was previously owned by Paul Clitheroe and raced as Balance.

Following a stint in Asia, Highly Sprung has been brought up to race trim by Spring, with the assistance of long time MHYC member and AW Marine’s Andrew Pearson. The pair identified the boat as one that would suit them in their start on the racing circuit, “So we bought it,” Spring said. “And while we’re learning the ropes, it’s not a bad start.”

“While upwind the whole way, the race was somewhat of a baptism for us,” Spring said of the conditions with winds ranging from 4-30 knots. 

“She went well and lived up to expectations as a proven upwind boat.”

Highly Sprung finished six hours ahead of second placegetter, the well performed RPAYC Farr 45, Pretty Woman (P.W. Syndicate), with XS Moment (BNMH (Ray Hudson) a further two hours back in third.

Spring and four of his regular crew; Craig Bannister, Kevin Sullivan, Brad Gowenlock as well as MHYC member Scott Butler, were joined by seasoned racers Andrew Pearson, Phil West, Lloyd Harrison, Matt Lumsdaine, Dave Elliott, Neil Newton and navigator, Bruce Kelly.

“The guys have been great and assisted us greatly. We’ve learned what the boat can do and how to do it,” Spring acknowledged.

While crew member Andrew Pearson commented: “We need new owners like Mark in yacht racing. He and the guys are eager to learn and a fun bunch with the right attitude.

“Mark is a great owner/skipper, and whilst new at racing, understands the priorities of safety, fun and competition. We saw this as a great learning exercise for his crew and I was lucky to sail with some old mates who are fantastic sailors.

“We simply sailed a smart race, out of the current and in breeze. Overall, we sailed the least number of miles of the fleet. Being in the surf line was paramount, but can be nerve-racking at times.

“It wasn’t an easy race and it was quite a long one. Winds got up to 30 knots on the nose, and after Seal Rocks, there was nothing but rock-hopping. There were quite a few retirements,” Pearson ended.

Spring and Pearson said they were also pleased to be able to take young MHYC member and Frank Likely trust recipient, Leo McAllister, on his first ocean race.

Read more: Clean sweep for Mark Spring in Pittwater to Paradise

Outlaw wins NSW Farr 40 Championship

Congratulations to Tom and Allan Quick and the crew of Outlaw for winning the 2019 Farr 40 NSW Championships.

Eight races were conducted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club over the weekend with light conditions on Saturday and moderate breezes on Sunday.

MHYC’s Jeff Carter sailed Edake into second place, one point clear of Double Black (Rob Pitts).  The other MHYC boats, Exile (Rob Reynolds) and Zen (Gordon Ketelbey) finished 4^th and 5^th.

Latest Results – click here

Event Page – click here

Day Two Photos by David Staley

Day One Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin

Read more: Outlaw wins NSW Farr 40 Championship

Cropley & Paul - two championships in two weeks

Archie Cropley & Max Paul from Middle Harbour Sailing Club have won their division of the Australian Youth Championships in Hobart, with their three bullets on the penultimate day putting them in an unbeatable position.

A national title has been a long-held dream for Paul, who said “It was a pretty good day today, pretty surreal that we wrapped it up with a day to go. I’ve been working a long, long time for this, as this is my fifth youth nationals.”

The team are coached by five-time Australian Olympic head coach and Australian sailing legend Mike Fletcher and have been the form team of the season after also winning the 29er Class Nationals last week.

The win qualifies Cropley & Paul for the Australian Youth Team that will compete in the Youth Sailing World Championship which will be held in Gdynia, Poland from 13 to 20 July.

Fellow MHYC members Lachie Brewer & Flynn Twomey finished second in the 29ers at the Youth Champs after their third in the Class Nationals.  Grace Powers & Kate Richardson finished third in the youth 29er Girls in Hobart.  Other MHYC sailors also performed will in the 32 boat Youth Championships fleet, with Hugo Taranto & Hugo Darin, Max Giffney & Madeleine McLeay and John-Mark Paul sailing with Steven Case (RGYC) placing 16th, 18th & 19th respectively.

Youth Nationals Results - click here

Australian Sailing News Article - click here

Video Cropley & Paul Interview - click here

Day Three Racing Video - click here

Read more: Cropley & Paul - two championships in two weeks