Transfusion first to post in Lewmar Match Racing

by Simon Reffold on 11 Feb 2008
The great thing about match racing is that you get a second, third and sometimes fourth chance to do well. In a mixed amateur fleet like the Sydney 38’s this is great; you can just dust off a defeat and have another go. This generally happens within 10 minutes of your last race so you’re fresh and motivated. It’s why the 38’s have always loved the Match Racing format.

So with that attitude, the fleet headed out on a far better looking morning and in a reasonably consistent SSW breeze to finish off the Lewmar Match Racing series on Sunday.

Lewmar’s Managing Director, Carl Crafoord had duties at MHYC with 1,000 learn to sail Kids, so his place with Guido Belgiorno-Netis’ Transfusion was filled by Andrew Cutler. 'Cuts' knows his way around Match Racing having crewed with Michael Dunstan for an Australian Match Racing Championship back in 2003 and he sailed Soling’s internationally for years before that. On the day though it looked like they had everything to do, with Warwick
Rooklyn’s Ichi Ban looking like the boat to beat.

Ichi Ban maintained the rage throughout the rest of the Round Robin to finish on top with a clean sweep seven wins from seven races. Second was Transfusion and Geoff Bonus’ Calibre, but that was settled on a countback with Transfusion going through to the final.

The battle for the minor placings was interesting. So far luckless in the event, Gordon Ketelbey’s team on Zen pulled off their first and most important victory to beat Michael McMahon's young team on X3, moving Gordon to fourth overall. Geoff Bonus proved too fast for everyone and managed the clean sweep to hold third place.

The battle for first and second was on between Transfusion and Ichi Ban and, as they say; 'age and treachery will overcome youth and skill' .... well at least the old and treacherous will say that.

Transfusion used their four years experience in the class and noted boat speed to show the CYCA Youth Team crewed Ichi Ban a clean set of heels in both races. Even after incurring a penalty from Ichi Ban, Guido’s team simply opened the box marked 'boat speed' and passed Ichi Ban on the run home.

Back to the MHYC and Carl was relieved of his Learn to Sail duties to award the prizes to the winners. 'This was a great event to be involved in' he said. 'We forget that sometimes its just fun to go sailing with your mates and that’s what an event like this is all about. It was nice too that a Middle Harbour Yacht Club boat won an event hosted by this club.'

Whilst the top place getters walked away with the prizes and a Jacket courtesy of Line 7, everyone was a winner with Lewmar providing a goody bag to all participants.

The Class thanks MHYC and in particular it’s Commodore Martin Hill for his support, as well as all the volunteers who helped make the weekend a success.

1st - Transfusion .... Guido Belgiorno Nettis
2nd - Ichi Ban .... Warwick Rooklyn
3rd - Calibre .... Geoff Bonus
4th - Zen .... Gordon Ketelbey
5th - Xcubed .... Michael McMahon