APC Logistics Lock Crowther Regatta- Zorro 2 wins series

by Doug Cuming on 4 Oct 2011 Corsair Sprint 750 Zorro 2 skippered by RMYC stalwart Alan Brand wins the 2011 APC Logistics Lock Crowther Memorial Regatta through consistent performance in the lighter Saturday races to win on performance handicap over Two Up 2, a Crowther 50 catamaran skippered by Justin Grunwald, with Rapid Ride (David Bishop) securing third place.

Strong winds forced the cancellation of the final two races on Sunday meaning that only two races could be used for the overall pointscore. Dash, a Corsair 25, skippered by Linda Renouf won on OMR followed by Scud (Kurt Ottowa) and Big Bird (Steve Barton). Sean Langman’s big 60 foot ORMA trimaran Kas, led the fleet in all races followed by Tony Considine’s Mad Max (skippered by George Owen) and Indian Chief (Darren Drew). Felix (David King) won the Cruising Division with handicap wins in both heats and Madneeka (John Fairfull) leading their fleet.

Racing started on Friday with an offshore race prologue, with 8 Cat 4 multihulls lining up for the start, however shortly after the start, gusts over 30 knots hit the course forcing the retirement of half the fleet. Kas led the fleet averaging 15 knots over the 28 nm course, occasionally hitting 30 knots, followed by Voodoo Spirit (Doug Cuming) 20 minutes later taking OMR first prize, just beating the hard pressed cruising catamaran Two Up 2 who took handicap honours.

Saturday was a change of pace, with a variable 5-10 knot southerly favouring the smaller boats. The morning race started up the southerly end of Pittwater in fluky conditions. Kas finally managed to clear away from Mad Max in an unaccustomed second place, followed by Indian Chief who passed Lukim Yu (Robin Ottowa) close to the finish line to claim second. Foxy (Shane Russell) kept in touch with the second wave of speedsters to claim the PHS prize and Scud just pipped Dash for the OMR prize.

The afternoon race provided steadier winds from the south with Kas mastering the longer legs to finish the 13nm Walker Point course in just over an hour and also claim handicap honours. Mad Max finished 16 minutes later, securing the OMR win and second on handicap. Both Rapid Ride and Dash sailed above their handicaps to record third on handicap and second on OMR respectively.

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Sunday morning looked bleak as 30-40 knots winds lashed the Pittwater course causing a postponement until midday when the Race Committee abandoned racing for the day as stronger winds were heading up from the Harbour, continuing throughout the day. A minor dampener to a great regatta enjoyed by all whether: racer or cruiser, cat or tri, big or small.

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APC Logistics Lock Crowther Memorial Regatta Race results are available at:
http://www.royalmotor.com.au/multihulls/new-results.html

More pictures are available at http://www.vidpicpro.com/yacht-racing/apc-lock-crowther-memorial-regatta-2011-pittwater-sydney.html

APC Logistics, an Australian based international air and sea freight forwarder, supported the regatta for the sixth time as principal sponsor. Seawind Catamarans is provided generous support for the regatta social program. Other sponsors included: Sailtech, Tactical Directions, Hood Sails, Multihull World magazine, Summit Coatings, Geddes Optical, Mitre 10, Tempo Spars, David Bray Yachts, Contender Selden.