Match Racing final in Sydney 38 Nationals

by Ian Grant on 17 Aug 2000 New Zealand skipper Brett Neill has survived a spirited America’s Cup style match race off Airlie Beach today to
provisionally claim the Hog’s Breath Sydney 38 class Australian title.
Neill a talented Admirals Cup sailor was put to the test over the 20 nautical mile course when his The E Business crew
became engaged in a serious match race for the title against the equally talented Blowfly skippered by Barry Moore of
Pittwater Sydney.

Both skippers and crews were well aware of their rule obligations in what turned into an exciting match race.

However when yachts of the same size and equal speed come together to try and gain the upper hand there becomes little
margin for error.

As expected the healthy rivalry between the New Zealand and Australian crews was evident at the pre-start when Blowfly
became the aggressor tracking every move as Niell tried to escape their purposely-applied wind shadow.

Unfortunately a breach of the racing rules occurred and both skippers have filed protests where the hearing will determine
the overall championship winner.

Apart from the breach skipper Neill proved he was the master on the water when he steered The E Business to a marginal
advantage on the first slog into the freshening South East breeze.

He cleverly buried the Blowfly crew in ‘heart break corner’ just off the leeward quarter and never let them out to establish
clear air.

The championship result hinged on The E Business finishing ahead and Neill applied his race plan to achieve that result

However the race will no be resailed in the protest room where the committee will determine who was at fault and therefore
decide which crew has won the title.

The provisional placing’s subject to protests are The E Business (Brett Neill,NZL) 10pts 1, Blowfly (Barry Moore,NSW)
11pts 2, 38 Degrees South (John Savage,Vic)13pts 3, Asylum (Wayne Kirkpatrick,Qld) 21pts 4.
By:
Ian Grant