Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race 2014 - Midnight Rambler crew excited

by G2LHI Media on 4 Apr 2014 Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race 2014 - 'Perfect conditions for a blast across to the island' is how Ed Psaltis, skipper and part owner of the Ker 40 Midnight Rambler described the forecast for tomorrow’s Mount Gay 40th Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race.

Psaltis is part owner along with Michael Bencsik and Rob Thomas and all three will be aboard Midnight Rambler for this weekend’s race across the Southern Tasman Sea to picturesque Lord Howe Island.

Last night at the weather briefing, BOM representative Tim Constable predicted fresh 15 to 25 knot winds from SSW to SSE holding for most of the next couple of days and this would seem to suit no entry more than the two time winner of the race.

Bencsik and Thomas attended the race weather briefing and they were all smiles in anticipation of this year’s race to Lord Howe.

We spoke with Ed earlier today and have never heard him more excited heading into the Blue Water Classic.
Psaltis and Co have been regulars in the G2LHI Race since the late ‘90’s, first winning overall in 1999 on IMS with the Hick 35 AFR Midnight Rambler and then again in 2007 wining on IRC with a modified Farr 40 by the same name.

Highly regarded in Australian yachting circles, this syndicate has had many long ocean racing successes to their credit including being crowned overall winners of the disastrous 1998 Sydney to Hobart race with the little Hick 35.

However, the new Ker 40 is built for the conditions predicted for this year’s race to the island and Ed suggests that apart from a couple of expected holes in the breeze, Midnight Rambler should be reaching or running at speed for the entire race.
'It looks like it will be fast and enjoyable. Furthermore the weather pattern would seem to favour the boats mid fleet, so apart from the obvious danger Victoire, I think Exile is the one to watch' Psaltis says.

The McConaghy built Ker 40 was launched in 2011 and whilst the syndicate of owners have had some good results with their latest Midnight Rambler, this year’s Lord Howe would appear tailor made.
Psaltis has gone so far as to say, 'this is the best chance in a major race that the new boat has had since we launched it'.

The race gets underway tomorrow, Saturday fifth at 1pm in Broken Bay.