Student Successes led by the Night Stalker

by Clare Matthews on 17 Jan 2004 Take a bunch of rookie student sailors; add a Sydney 38, 25 knots of breeze and an offshore racing instructor better known as the Night Stalker – and what comes up?

Simply Sailing’s Offshore Race Track programme with a sensational fourth place in the Sydney 38 OD division in the 2004 Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Offshore Race.

Principal Chris Matthews knew he had a tough series ahead of him but he was determined to campaign the Sydney 38 Wadadli to the best of her and his crew’s ability.

Triumphant as the first sailing school boat home and beating many seasoned campaigners in the 38 division, Matthews recounts some of the more harrowing moments:

‘The start was a little haphazard – we were retying a bowline right on the line, which meant we came slamming in on port.

We had a tough first night where we hugged and hammered the coastline but our tactical decisions paid off. We sailed way offshore in night two and held our own with the leaders – we were definitely in contention.

Heartbreakingly the easterly came over the top and completely missed us. The crew were fantastic, they never missed a beat and really gave it their all.’

And it just gets better for this Middle Harbour sailing school, with a second over the line in the Solitary Islands Race that left even veteran tactician Ron Jacobs shaking his head.

At Palm Beach Simply Sailing caught more than a few surprised glances as they stormed to a credible fourth place in race four of the run up regatta. From last to fourth over two days was the result of the intensive race training offered by Matthews, and his co-instructor onboard.

‘We always run our Spinnaker & Tactics Days on the 38’s and with two racing instructors onboard.

They are fantastic training boats, and with two instructors the students get real value for money. We trained the crew intensively over the four races and you could see by day two that it was starting to pay off as they were coming together as a team. You get out of these students what you are prepared to put in’

So what’s next for Simply Sailing’s Offshore Race Track? The 12-month program continues with the Flinders Island Offshore Race on 13 February and Matthews is seeking a crew to match the performance of the current team.

Full details of the sail training programmes offered by Simply Sailing at the Middle Harbour Skiffies, including their Learn to Sail Courses, Yellow Jersey Friday Twilight Challenge, the Racing Toolbox and Offshore Race Track are at www.simplysailing.com.au