Sharpie National Championship – Blur takes series lead

by Clare Murray on 2 Jan 2012 Sharpie National Championship is being held by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly. Conditions were calmer than the previous day’s racing with a southerly blowing 12 to 14 knots.

Blur have continued their strong start to the regatta with two first places on the second day of racing.

Skipper of Blur and four time National Sharpie Champion, Malcolm Higgins, was pleased with the results considering the level of talent within the fleet. 'We had a good day today with two wins. Both races were pretty close. The weather was more suited to us as we are a lighter crew. Hopefully we will just keep doing well. The local boats are going quite well as are the boats from South Australia and Tasmania.'

McGees Property also had a solid day of racing with two second places. Skippered by Bill Cuneo, McGees Property is crewed by RQYS’s own Commodore Greg Clarke and Yachting Australia’s Youth Sailor of the Year for 2011 Angus Galloway. Today’s performance moved them up the fourth place overall.

Blur is followed by fellow South Australian boat Warpig skippered by Geoffrey McCloud in second place and the only Tasmanian entry, last year’s National Champion One Hump Or Two skippered by Drew Latham in third.

For race results click here.

Sharpie Association website