Revamped format for Round 3 of inaugural TP52 Southern Cross Cup

by Lisa Ratcliff on 20 Nov 2013
Round 3 of the inaugural TP52 Southern Cross Cup is going ahead this weekend with a revamped format and new sponsor. An inshore passage race past many of Sydney Harbour’s best-known landmarks will be mixed in with the traditional windward/leeward format.

Since the entry list was published last week there has been some movement in the original line-up. Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan, second on the pointscore after rounds 1 and 2 out of Sandringham Yacht Club, was sold late last week to an overseas owner keen to have the boat delivered in time for the Key West regatta in the US.

Anthony Lyall’s Tasmanian TP52 Cougar II struck engine trouble leaving Hobart last week and missed the weather window to reach Sydney. Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin was a possible starter but is still in the shed without a mast.

Given Hooligan’s series departure, Karl Kwok’s Team Beau Geste (HKG) is light years ahead of the pack on accumulated points. Rob Hanna’s Shogun V crew from Geelong promise to keep Kwok and helmsman Gavin Brady honest, but so far TBG has proven a class above.

Connel McLaren’s Vamos (NZ), formerly Hanna’s Shogun IV, will launch under its new owner this Friday.
McLaren ran a successful program with his Ker 40, Icebreaker, trumping all three of New Zealand’s major regattas last year. He looked at the TP52s in Europe and at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week last August and decided they offered 'the best bang for buck'.

'This weekend marks beginning of an extensive program for Vamos. It’s our first regatta and we are sailing an older generation boat so we won’t be as quick as the newer models. We just want to benchmark against the Aussie TPs and enjoy the opportunity to test our crew work,' McLaren said from Auckland this morning.

Vamos was delivered from Geelong to Sydney for a birthday makeover; a new deck and a re-spray to gun metal grey. 'The boat’s in pretty good shape,' said the new owner, who is making his sailing comeback after a nine month spell in Barcelona, Spain.

‘Vamos’ is a word McLaren picked up at Spanish sporting matches where fans shout the word to cheer on their favourite sports star. Loosely it translates to ‘let’s go’.

Tomorrow, Thursday 21st November is a dedicated practice day for the five crews.

Windward/leewards are scheduled to start Friday 22nd November in Sydney Harbour at midday. Saturday the fleet will contest an inshore harbour race past many of Sydney’s most recognisable landmarks and Sunday the fleet will return to round-the-cans racing.

The freshest conditions are forecast for the series opener, 15-20 knot nor’easters and possible thunderstorms likely on Friday.

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at Kirribilli will host round 3 of the TP52 Southern Cross Cup.
Sydney City Marine, one of the largest and most modern yacht maintenance facilities in Australia, has joined Pantaenius and long-term TP52 supporter Coopers 62 as naming rights sponsor of this round.

'As the yard of choice for many of the professional race teams, we have had a long relationship with many of the TP52 owners and crews,' said director Brenton Fischer today. 'Because of this relationship Sydney City Marine is more than happy to ensure the success of the regatta by coming on board this week as the naming rights sponsor of round three of the TP52 Southern Cross Cup.'

About the TP52 Southern Cross Cup:

The TP52 Southern Cross Cup is an IRC handicap regatta based on TP52 class racing. The age of the boats ranges from 2004 to 2011 - an age allowance is applied to create a more level playing field for the earlier generation boats. The crew limit for boats aged 2001-2007 is 15 with no more than six professionals. For the newer hulls the maximum crew is 13 with the same pro cap. Each owner may be required to carry a guest while racing. Website

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