SAILING BROTHERS JOIN FARR 40 ONE DESIGN SET FOR ORD MINNETT REGATTA

by Peter Campbell on 1 Dec 2000 Expatriate British yachtsmen Neil and Simon Whiston have taken up the challenge of one-design racing in Australia in seeking a back-to-back success in this weekend's prestigious Ord Minnett Regatta off Sydney Heads.

The two brothers proved virtually unbeatable last summer with their Beneteau 40.7 ocean racing yachts, Fruit Machine and Smile, placing first and second in the IMS handicap division of the Ord Minnett Regatta.

They went on to win selection in the Australian team for the Kenwood Cup in Hawaii in August, but on their return to Sydney sold their ocean racers and ordered Farr 40 One Design yachts.

The brothers, successful yachtsmen in Britain before migrating to Australia and establishing new businesses here, will make their regatta debut tomorrow in a 15-strong Farr 40 OD fleet as part of the Ord Minnett Regatta.

While they have changed boats, they have kept the same names and their winning crews, with Neill at the helm of his new yacht, again named Fruit Machine, and Simon steering his new boat, again called Smile.

The line of Farr 40 ODs in the Ord Minnett Regatta is the biggest yet for the expanding 'owner-driver' class in Australia and a lead-up to their National championship as part of the Telstra Cup in two weeks time.

The competition will be keen, however, headed by current Farr 40 OD world champion John Calvert-Jones from Melbourne sailing Southern Star 2, with America's Cup sailor Grant Simmer as his tactician.

In fact, some of the best sailors in Australia will be 'calling the shots' as the owners steer their boats, with international match racer James Spithill aboard Warren Wieckmann's Leroy Brown, Mark Richards sailing with Marcus Blackmore on Emotional Hooligan, and champion Etchells sailor Peter McNeill aboard Envy with owner Tony Dickson.

World champion Etchells skipper Cameron Miles will be tactician aboard Robert Skinner's newly launched Weapon, while Neill Whiston has former world 18-footer champion Rob Brown as his tactician on Fruit Machine, and brother Simon will be joined by fellow British sailor Gordon McGuire on Smile.

Victorian yachtsman David Gotze's strong line-up on Brighton Star includes Ross Lloyd as tactician, Olympic gold medallist Mark Turnbull and international sailor Peter Dorian.

The first of two back-to-back races of the Ord Minnett Regatta is scheduled to start at 11am tomorrow with two more races on Sunday.


Further information:

Peter Campbell - 0419 385 028
peter_campbell@bigpond.com