Star performance seals Blackmores MC38 Open win

Drone pic MC38 fleet - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 Bob Fowler

Winning Dark Star crew - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 © Bob Fowler

Race five looked lost to Dark Star when an infringement, their first ever in the class, punted them to the rear of the fleet. Once again a back seat proved the best motivator, and Bacon, prized tactician Cameron Miles and the rest on board the RPAYC MC38 clawed back to be third at the finish. A bullet in the next race and a third in the final passage race sealed Dark Star’s overall regatta win.

That’s two from two weekends for Bacon and a couple of his crew, this weekend with his MC38 and last weekend with his Melges 24 Roger That at the class’ state title.

'We put our year together aiming to peak at this regatta and it’s mission accomplished,' said the delighted skipper back at the host Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. 'We knew we’d have eight boats racing by the end of the season and the bar would lift. People asked me ‘what do you think about all these hot shots coming into the fleet?’ We knew we didn’t want to suddenly come fifth so we took Traks Gordon on as our coach and put the work in. I love it when a plan comes together,' Bacon said grinning.

Being part of the first generation of MC38 crews and with three years’ experience, Dark Star’s Cameron Miles says the intensity level is definitely higher thanks to the latest injection of owners. 'Add considerably more wind than we’ve had in the past and all manner of traffic on the course this weekend and the anxiety and intensity definitely lifted.'

Ginger and Hooligan - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 © Bob Fowler

Third placed Kokomo - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 © Bob Fowler

Current Australian MC38 champion, Leslie Green and his Ginger crew left any hangover from yesterday’s mixed results back at the dock and returned to the start line resolute, taking a bullet in the first race of the day. They sailed smartly and cleanly in the summer sea breeze to finish three points off the regatta winner in second and five points from their nearest challenger, Lang Walker’s Kokomo (CYCA) in third.

Green’s foray into the exciting MC38 class has given him a 'new lease on life' says the most senior of the owner’s group. He enjoyed the race track off Scotland Island and praised the RPAYC race management team. 'If you make mistakes in this class you are unforgiven,' Green reminded.

Elsewhere on the track in race five was a messy affair and a busy time for on-water umpires David Ellis and Richard Slater with at least two obvious touches. 'I would like to remind everyone that sailing is not a contact sport,' said Slater on the radio prior to race six.

A good sized spectator fleet tracked the eight one design MC38s up and down the two windward-leeward races then for the longer final passage race north to Mackerel beach, around a buoy between West Head and Palm Beach headland then back to the finish. Downhill speeds of 15 knots in the gusty nor’easter sent the crew weight aft and threw a fair old wave out the back.

Regatta sponsor Marcus Blackmore finished sixth in the fleet with Hooligan and thoroughly enjoyed racing on his home waters. He echoed Green’s remarks, 'One mistake and you are out the back door.' On his time in the class so far Blackmore added, 'This class aims to deliver the best experience for the owners. It’s about high performance sailing, and having fun.'

Principal Race Officer Steve Merrington and his RPAYC team ran an excellent series and were congratulated at this evening’s prize presentation. No protests to drag out the afternoon meant crews were able to relax and enjoy the setting as the cold beer flowed and the smoke and smells from the BBQ cooked by the for’ard hands wafted through the weary but buoyant crowd gathered at the Alfreds.

The final event for the class’ 2014 season is a twilight series out of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron December 15-17 and owner of the MC38 Maserati Neville Crichton agreed at this morning’s owners meeting to support the regatta.

MC38 fleet - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 © Bob Fowler

Fleet downwind day two Maserati in foreground - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 © Bob Fowler

Ghost Rider - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 © Bob Fowler

Marcus Blackmore's Hooligan - Blackmores MC38 Open Regatta 2014 © Bob Fowler

Blackmore's MC38 Open Regatta 2014

Updated:  30/11/2014  2:36:18 PM

Related Articles

SailGP: Fired up Slingsby wins two in Bermuda
Australia dominates fleet racing on the opening day of Bermuda Australia has bounced back from its devastating Christchurch penalty by dominating fleet racing on the opening day of Bermuda.
Posted today at 8:30 pm The Transat CIC Day 7
Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkéa over 70 miles ahead of Charlie Dalin The top trio on the Transat CIC solo race to New York from Lorient, France are charging towards the finish line averaging over 22kts.
Posted today at 5:05 pm Armstrong Midlength FG Board redefines foiling
Armstrong Midlength FG Board gives you the freedom to define how you ride. The choice is yours Armstrong Foils have announced the new Midlength boards, they are epic for wing and prone surf among many other things. The Armstrong Midlength FG Board Range truly redefines when and how you can go foiling.
Posted today at 8:42 am La Grande Motte International Regatta preview
Final dress rehearsal for the Cats and Skiffs ahead of Paris 2024 The Nacra 17 World Championship along with the 49er and 49erFX European Championships is attracting 148 teams to La Grande Motte in the South of France for six days of racing.
Posted today at 8:28 am SailGP: Spectacular on board video of USA capsize
USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda in Friday's third Practice session. Surprisingly given the violence of the capsize, none of the crew were injured.
Posted today at 2:18 am SailGP: Kiwis push back at Media Conference
Burling disagrees that the Kiwis were gifted the season lead by an Australian snafu in Christchurch New Zealand driver Peter Burling has disagreed that the Kiwis were gifted the season lead by Australia's Christchurch penalty, arguing ‘we have earned our right to be here'.
Posted today at 12:35 am Antigua Sailing Week Day 5
Classic conditions on Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Race Day Racing at Antigua Sailing Week came to a spectacular finale with Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Race Day. Full trade winds blasted across the race area, bathed in sunshine.
Posted on 3 May SailGP: Tense times in Bermuda
A capsize in Practice, along with the effect of season points penalties puts big pressure on teams The NZ Black Foils are determined to keep hold of top spot as Australia looks to bounce back from Christchurch horror show. The pressure comes on all the teams to secure a place in the $2 million Championship Final Race in San Francisco in July
Posted on 3 May The Swarm Podcast Episode 13: Jordan Roberts
The man behind the lens at all major WASZP events Jordan is the man behind the lens at all of our major events at WASZP. General Manager Marc Ablett joins Jordan to discuss what we try and achieve through our coverage.
Posted on 3 May Cape 31 Australian Nationals Preview
To be held at Hamilton Island Race Week in August With the fifth Cape 31 recently arriving in Australia, the Cape 31 Class are excited to announce the first National Championship Down Under! A big achievement for the guys who have been working on getting the class started.
Posted on 3 May