Australian Sailors & Sails continue successes on Mumm 30 circuit

by Di Pearson on 21 May 2002 Having won the prestigious Key West Regatta, and performing well in the Acura SORC Regatta, Australia's Richard Perini continues his charge towards the 2002 Mumm 30 Worlds.

With over half of the Mumm 30 SORC fleet choosing Australian made Doyle-Fraser D4, the rest of the world is taking notice of the dual Australian invasion.

In the USA, the highly competitive USA Winter Series started with the Lewmar Cup in November, the Key West Race Week in January, finishing with the Acura SORC in March.

The final event, the SORC Regatta, was sailed in a variety of conditions from 25TWS to the light and shifty conditions for which Annapolis is known.

Richard Perini's Doyle Fraser D4 powered Mumm 30, Foreign Affair, finished
5th, just a few points out of a tie for second, after a weather shortened regatta robbed them of a last day charge into second place.

Foreign Affair project manager Darren Jones reported, 'We had good speed
throughout the regatta. Our goal was not so much about winning the regatta, but more about getting a feel for this tricky sailing area, as this will be where the 2002 Worlds
will take place.'

With a 1st place finish at SORC, Dan Cheresh's Bug Juice was able to hold off Perini's Foreign Affair by 1 point, with Thom Papanek's Fuzzy Logic taking 3rd in the Winter Series. All three boats wore Australian D4 sails.

Doyle Fraser D4 powered Mumm 30's placed five of the top six in the last race to leave an impression worth remembering.

The Australians will be back in action at the Newport Gold Regatta towards the end of May, then the New York Yacht Club Regatta in July, followed by Chicago NOOD.

Then, Perini says, 'We are looking for the podium result in Annapolis Worlds in September. A lot of the credit goes to my regular crew of Darren Jones, Jason Rowed, Stan Eldershaw, Toby Bristow, Steve Flam and Capucine Pin, for our results. We practice regularly, and our light air performances are now up with our heavier and medium breeze results.'

In excess of 50 boats are expected to take part in the Worlds, and Perini says the competition will be tough, with the top European boats just as fast as the top USA contenders.

Perini is hopeful his racing and campaigning skills, and Australian sail-makers Doyle Fraser's D4 sail technology, will continue their winning combination on the World Mumm 30 circuit.

To keep up-to-date with the Mumm circuit, go to: www.mumm.org