Festival of Sails - Morticia claims opening points

by Danielle McKay on 22 Jan 2014 The 2013 Festival of Sails opening act went ahead without a hitch today; nine multihulls of various sizes completed the inaugural event on the week-long program and first tributes went to three interstate boats.

Chris Williams’ Sea Cart 30 called Morticia, all the way from the Royal Motor Yacht Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, claimed the opening points on corrected time in the 30 odd nautical mile Geelong to Melbourne passage race, which began in an 8-10 knot southerly breeze.

Malcolm Richardson’s Nacra 36, Malice, finished second on corrected time and was the line honours winner with an elapsed time of two hours two minutes and 40 seconds.

Richardson towed Malice from Port Douglas for his maiden Festival of Sails, a handy pit-stop on the way to the multihull nationals at Port Lincoln next month.

'We thought we might as well do Geelong on the way,' he said this evening, pleased his crew’s opening performance.

'Today’s race started off light, blew up a bit making it a quick run at an average 20 knots of boat speed, then it went light again at the finish. Melbourne’s weather was truly beautiful and we had a lot of fun,' Richardson added.

Matt Johns’ Box 8.5, Box Office, from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, finished third over the line and on handicap.

The Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron was the finish club for the Festival’s lead-in event.

From Tuesday 21st to Monday 27th January 2014 an extensive sailing program will cater for all levels, with 14 different classes open to keelboats and multihulls from Australia and overseas.

The event will conclude Monday 27th, the Australia Day public holiday, with the trophy presentations and the final Shoreside Festival program of activities.

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions available here

Entry List & Results available here