Sail-World.com : Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Hooligan´s wreak havoc in IRC fleet

News Home

Video Gallery

Photo Gallery

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Hooligan´s wreak havoc in IRC fleet

'The Hooligan´s August 2013' Sail-World.com © Click Here to view large photo

Out on the race track at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2013, Marcus Blackmore´s TP52 Hooligan has won all three IRC races sailed by the top end fleet and the damage wreaked to the aspirations of other owners and crew this owner and boat has exhibited over recent years on the Australian circuit looks set to continue.

Blackmore set out in 2011 to win the IRC Nationals. He consulted with Cloud´s Badham about the average wind speeds across the courses and configured the former Emirates Team New Zealand TP52 now Hooligan for those conditions. Then he added a very talented team.

Surprise, surprise he won and has kept winning. He won the Australian Championships and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in 2011, 2012 and is on track for 2013.

Marcus Blackmore - all concentration - Sail-World.com © Click Here to view large photo

Yesterday on the race track in the trickiest of conditions, 68 year old Blackmore was a picture of concentration on the tiller, as he ghosted Hooligan to a convincing handicap win after his boat and Rob Hanna´s Shogun V had swapped the race within a race lead three times.

A good boat, well sailed. And just look at the depth of talent in this 2013 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week roster.

Marcus Blackmore - 'We are happy with the boat, it’s like new. . We have my regular crew, including Stu Ballantyne, Richie Allanson, Terry Wetton and the guys.

Malcolm Page - Sail-World.com © Click Here to view large photo

'We have got a bit of change in the back of the boat. We have got a couple of additions this time. We have got Malcolm Page, (dual Olympic Gold medallist) who I have known for years of course, and Kiwi Finn Olympian Dan Slater. Dan did a couple of regattas in Asia with us with the TP52 up there and we won those regattas. He got on really well with the crew so we have got a tactician and a strategist this time.

'We have got Will Oxley and Will’s a Townsville boy and he has done this regatta 17 times. Somebody said to me have you got a bit of local knowledge on board. I think we have. We are in good shape.

Shogun V is always hard to beat and we always have great racing with those guys. I don’t know some people say they are not so good in the light air and then they tell us we’re not good in the light air and then they tell us we are not good in the heavy air.

'But we´ve come first and second in every regatta that we have ever been in. We have had light air and heavy air regattas. 'When we first sailed the boat, I think we have got a reputation of not being good in light air because the boat was obviously in its Med Cup trim. It was a specialist over 12 knots.

'But it’s been IRC’d. We 300 kilos of lead out of the hull and put some of that on the keel so it is a different boat. We are just having fun sailing and the results keep coming.

Sailing - Hooligan at TP52 Southern Cross Cup, Sandringham Yacht Club, Melbourne - Teri Dodds ©

by Rob Kothe and the Sail-World Team

Tweet

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=113422

4:32 AM Tue 20 Aug 2013GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

Click for further information on
2013 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2013

Related News Stories:

20 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Pioneers return
20 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race - Tiny Tassie boat triumphing in paradise
20 Aug 2013	Pioneers return to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week
20 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Daily weather forecast
20 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Full results for day 2
20 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Might there be sheep in the paddock?
20 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Day 1 action shots
19 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Shifting winds and courses
19 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Moran, Kwong and Bennett Takeover
19 Aug 2013	Audi Hamilton Island Race Week Day 2 - Weather forecast

MORE STORIES ...

News - USA and the World

Rolex China Sea Race 2014 - nip and tuck for IRC honours by RHKYC and Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia, Hong Kong

They say that discerning gentleman sailors only sail on boats with a foot of waterline length for every year of their age. At age 87, Syd Fischer has got three years to go before he needs a bigger boat. Meanwhile, and after 57h 31m 18s of racing, he finally steered his 90 foot Maxi, Ragamuffin 90, over the line to claim Line Honours for the 2014 Rolex China Sea Race.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Race 11 to get underway to Panama by Clipper Round the World,

In the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup, which is Race 11, gets underway today (Saturday) at 1300 local time in San Francisco (2000 UTC). This very tactical race from the Californian city to Panama will take approximately three weeks to complete. The race sees the teams transit the Panama Canal in its centenary year before starting Race 12 to Jamaica.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Hi Fi collects the coveted IRC Overall title by RHKYC Media,

The second major prize of the 2014 Rolex China Sea Race was decided in Subic Bay this morning, as Hi Fi held Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky to a two minute lead on the water to ensure that Neil Pryde’s Welbourne 52 collects the coveted IRC Overall title for the second time in four years.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - First arrivals in Subic Bay by KPMS,

At midday on Saturday, five of the 34-strong international fleet had completed the 27th Rolex China Sea Race. 87-year old Syd Fischer’s Maxi Ragamuffin 90 claimed line honours at 22:51.18 local time on Friday evening having led the race from start to finish.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race 2014 - a sniff of a hat-trick for Neil Pryde by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia, Hong Kong

Never underestimate a seasoned campaigner. Neil Pryde’s Welbourne 52 HiFi crossed the finish line of the Rolex China Sea Race 2014 at Grande Island, Subic Bay this morning at 1107h, third on the water behind Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin 90 and Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky, to jump into the top spot for IRC Overall. Right now, it’s looking-over-the-shoulder time, but the next boats due to finish are... [more]

America's Cup Book Review: Winging It - Oracle Team USA's comeback *Feature by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz,

Winging It by noted America's Cup writers Diane Swintal, Steven Tsuchiya, and Robert Kamins, is not your father's book on the America's Cup.This is not a coffee table book, but more a working primer on the 34th America's Cup, the events that led up to the Match, and the racing it self - summarized in both narrative and data formats.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race: Switzerland drops trou for charity by Clipper Round the World,

When it comes to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, you may have heard the rumours, but now the evidence is here. The crew of Switzerland have saved two more lives on behalf of Mercy Ships, their official charity, after getting naked while sailing across the cold Pacific Ocean to raise money.... [more]

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - 27th edition underway by Louay Habib,

There were hundreds of smiling faces in Falmouth Harbour this morning. The 27th Edition of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta kicked off in glorious Caribbean weather, 20 knots of warm Trades' and two metre seas provided exciting conditions for the wondrous fleet of classic yachts that have gathered in Antigua.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Ragamuffin 90 claims line honours victory by KPMS,

In the 2014 Rolex China Sea Race, Ragamuffin 90 has sealed line honours, having led the entire 565-nm race from the start in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong to the finish in Subic Bay, The Philippines. Syd Fischer’s 90-ft Maxi finished the race at 22:51.18 local time, completing the course in 57 hours, 31 minutes and 18 seconds.... [more]

Saturday June 21st will feature the 39th One More time Regatta by Andy Kopetzky, Southern California

Saturday, June 21st will mark the 39th Annual One More Time Regatta. The event is open to all wooden hulled boats and is presented by the Wooden Hull Yacht Club and sponsored by Del Rey Yacht Club. It is the only regatta run in Santa Monica Bay exclusively for wooden hulled vessels.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Ragamuffin 90 extends unassailable lead by RHKYC,

The 27th edition of the Rolex China Sea Race looks certain to feature yachting legend Syd Fischer on the silverware, with Ragamuffin 90 sailing consistently to extend an unassailable lead on the water over her closest rivals and expected to finish just before midnight tonight.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Commanding lead for Ragamuffin by KPMS,

In the Rolex China Sea Race, Syd Fischer’s 90-ft Maxi Ragamuffin has a commanding lead some 42 hours into the 27th edition. At 09:30 local time, Fischer’s Ragamuffin 90 was 134-nm from the finish line in Subic Bay, The Philippines and closing in on line honours.... [more]

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - An amazing fleet of traditional yachts by Louay Habib,

Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour has taken on the charm of days gone by, the 27th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, sponsored by Panerai, has brought together an extra-ordinary fleet of traditional yachts from all over the world, the beautiful natural harbour is in a time-warp.... [more]

Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race - Freshwater adventure on tap by Kirsten Ferguson,

Affectionately known as the 'Bayview Mack,' the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race—hosted by Detroit’s Bayview Yacht Club—promises to deliver in more ways than one this year when it commences at 11:30 a.m.... [more]

Why the 49er class is pushing hard to get finals format changed +Video by Ben Remocker,

The 49er class has a tradition of pushing sailing forward, aligning to the Olympic ideals and the Olympic business model. The overall Olympic success is a complex tonic, but the core product is live sports. Live coverage of sailing is difficult and expensive. Traditionally it has also been slow paced and difficult to understand for non-sailors, the vast majority of Olympic customers.... [more]

Alpari World Match Racing Tour: Can Williams surpass Gilmour's record? by Alpari World Match Racing Tour,

Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar team begin the 2014 Alpari World Match Racing Tour with the aim, of course, of winning this year’s World Championship title. But as was the case in 2013, when Williams disappointingly finished overall runner-up to Taylor Canfield’s USone team, victory this year would be significant: To date Williams has won the Tour four times – in 2007-8 and 2011-12.... [more]

Coastal Cup sets sail from Alameda June 11 by Andrew Kopetzky,

Various coastal breezes and fabulous scenery of the West Coast of California await entrants of the 23rd annual Coastal Cup. The ocean race from San Francisco to Southern California will be returning to Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles.... [more]

PWA Cold Hawaii World Cup - Massive support from the local community by Robert Sand,

With massive local support, the PWA Cold Hawaii World Cup is back on the calendar for 2014. This is due to a three-year agreement made by Thisted Forsikring, a local and acknowledged Danish insurance company, which ensures the foundation for organizing the event.... [more]

Les Voiles de St. Barth - Weather factors in + Video by Kirsten Ferguson,

The Weather Gods had promised more breeze for day two of Les Voiles de St. Barth, and it came in a steady line of squalls moving south to north across the island, presenting challenging conditions for competitors and the Race Committee alike.... [more]

HUD Vision: An interview with Afterguard Marine’s Alex Moret *Feature by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor, Seattle

Heads Up Displays (HUDs) have long been the holy grail of the tech-savvy racing sailor. This technology was developed to give fighter pilots there-when-they-need-it information at a glance. While racing sailors are more interested with tactical edges over their competitors than getting missile lock on an enemy, the basic information need is the same.... [more]

ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres - US Sailing Team ready for action by US Sailing,

Following a short break after the completion of ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca in Spain, the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider will be in action again April 21-26 at the upcoming World Cup event in Hyères, France. A strong American contingent of over 30 athletes will compete in nine Olympic classes.... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race - Dongfeng Race Team first official qualifier by Dongfeng Race Team,

The first team to officially qualify for the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race is Dongfeng Race Team. Confirmation came direct from Jack Lloyd, Race Director of the Volvo Ocean Race that following the team’s recent 18 day training voyage, Dongfeng Race Team has met the official qualification requirements of sailing 2,000 nautical miles non-stop with 60% of the crew members for Leg 1 onboard.... [more]

Springtime boat buyers need to take care of a few key things by BoatUS,

With the top boat buying season of the year kicking off, springtime boat buyers are on the prowl. The nation’s largest recreational boating advocacy and services group, Boat Owner Association of The United States (BoatUS), has some must do tips before you sign on the dotted line.... [more]

ISAF Match Race Rankings for 16 April 2014 by ISAF,

The ISAF Race Rankings for 16 April 2014 have been released. Taylor Canfield (ISV) and Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN) occupy the world number one spots in the Open and Women's Match Race Rankings.... [more]

ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres – World’s best to race on French Riviera by ISAF,

The ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres will see Olympic medallists, World Champions and ISAF Sailing World Cup medallists compete as the 2013-2014 series draws to a close. More than 1,100 sailors across ten Olympic and two Paralympic events will race on the French Riviera from Monday 21 April through to Saturday 26 April.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race – Fleet off to a clean start by KPMS,

The 27th edition of the 565nm Rolex China Sea Race commenced today with a fleet of 34 international yachts. With Hong Kong’s impressive skyscraper skyline forming a domineering backdrop, the fleet made a clean start under a steady easterly breeze of eight knots.... [more]

America's Cup: Expected de Ridder penalty should be reduced *Feature by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz, Auckland, NZ

The predicted penalty of a five year suspension from the sport, for Oracle Team USA wingsail trimmer, Dirk de Ridder, would appear to be extreme by international standards. The case is due to go before the International Sailing Federation's Review Board in late April. They will consider the report from the Disciplinary Commission, which is the body believed to have recommended a five year penalty... [more]

World Youth Sailing Week – Second edition officially presented + Video by Elena Giolai,

At a press conference organised by ‘Vela Garda Trentino’ together with the sailing clubs involved there was the official presentation of the second ‘World Youth Sailing Week’ an event dedicated to youth sailing and taking place in the Garda Trentino region during the week of Easter. The event comprises a series of regattas organised in the Alto Garda region.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Sailing classic returns by KPMS,

Final preparations are underway for the 27th Rolex China Sea Race, Asia’s principal offshore competition which gets underway on Wednesday, 16 April. A fleet of 34 yachts from eight countries are expected to make the start line in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong ahead of a 565-nm race through the South China Sea to Subic Bay, The Philippines.... [more]

Les Voiles de St Barth – Fired up for battle by Fabrice Thomazeau,

It may be close to the end of the Caribbean sailing season, but the sailors on 70 boats registered for this fifth edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth are freshly fired up for friendly battles against some top competitors before they head north to the U.S. and across the 'pond' to the UK and Europe to chase an endless sailing season.... [more]

CNN Mainsail Down Under for the 75th JJ Giltinan Trophy - 18ft skiffs by CNN Mainsail,

Shirley Robertson and the CNN Mainsail team have been DownUnder and filed this video report on the 18ft skiffs, their history, characters and current sailors. Robertson, a double Olympic Gold Medalist, talks with several past and present 18ft skiff sailors, including iain Murray, John Winning, Seve Jarvin and 98 year old Billy Barnett.... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: North Sails on outfitting the Volvo 65 by North Sails Media,

When it comes to the Volvo Ocean Race (or any ocean race for that matter), Bruno Dubois is North Sails' point man. His thousands of ocean miles and 25 years of sailmaking have something to do with it. A veteran of the Transat Jacques Vabre, Jules Verne and Whitbread Round the World Race, he is a Corel 45 world champion and Mini Transat winner.... [more]

Image gallery: James Cook High's Royal encounter on Steinlager 2 *Feature by Richard Gladwell,

Soon after HRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had finished their Royal Matchrace on Auckland, the NZ Sailing Trust's Steinlager II passed close by the Royals, as she returned by a day sail with a full crew from Jame Cook High from south Auckland.... [more]