Hunn casts Voodoo magic winning the 2014 Melges 32 Australian Titles

by Tracey Walters on 17 Mar 2014 The Middle Harbour Yacht Club race committee did well to keep all sailors safe today after a lighting, rain and hail storm cell came through the Harbour just after midday. The committee were unable to get a race in for day three of the 2014 Melges 32 Australian Championships.

Tasmanian skipper Andrew Hunn Voodoo Chile held onto their hard fought lead to be announced 2014 Australian Melges 32 Champion on nine points. Tactician and International Melges 32 pro Dave Chapman commented 'we had watched fellow Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Melges 32 skipper Greg Prescott (Enzo) and wanted to compete in the fleet'.

'Everyone liked the boat, they are an easy class to get involved in and a sociable fleet. The boats are easy to sail, we had two pro’s on board myself and Mal Parker but your allowed three. You need a really good Main Trimmer' said Chapman. Skipper Andrew Hunn was a true gentleman on and off the water and will be welcomed into the class any time. Andrew commented ' We were expecting a high performance boat and some spread out racing, we found a high performance boat with close highly competitive racing. We hit the ground running the first day which helped set up our regatta'.

Three points behind was Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club skipper Chris Way Easy Tiger III. The Title was within reach this morning but the Tiger team needed racing today to be in with the chance. 'Always the bridesmaid' said Chris Way. The Tiger crew loved the one design racing, and enjoyed the format of the Nationals following the Sydney Harbour Regatta. Kyrra Deane is in charge of the pit on Easy Tiger III and commented 'the racing was intense and fast, I loved it' .

In third place on fourteen points was defending Australian Champion from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Greg Prescott 2 Unlimited. Greg commented at the presentation that this was 'the closest Melges 32 racing there had ever been, the fleet has caught up and you can’t afford to make a mistake'.

Taking out the Corinthian (non professionals) trophy for the event representing Cronulla Yacht Club was Steve O’Rourke Panther who enjoys sailing with family members including son in law Burke Melia and grandson Justin O’Bryan.

The 2014 Melges 32 Australian Championships were sponsored by Magic Marine, Gottifredi Maffioli Ropes and Quantum Sails, who kindly provided the skippers and crew prizes at the trophy presentation upstairs at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

Big thanks to Middle Harbour Yacht Club Sailing Manager Andrew Phillips and his team who took on the Championships less than a week after their biggest regatta of the year, the Melges 32 Australian fleet appreciate all your efforts.

Results

Sail No   AUS888	Boat Name   VOODOO CHILE	Andrew   Hunn	Sers   9.0	Score	Race 7   2.0	Race 6   2.0	Race 5   2.0	Race 4   1.0	[3
AUS221	EASY TIGER III	Chrisopher   Way	12.0		1.0	1.0	3.0	2.0	[4
AUS216	2UNLIMITED	Greg  Prescott	14.0		3.0	[5.0]	1.0	4.0	1.
AUS158	MAXSTAR	Angus  Reid	29.0		6.0	6.0	6.0	[6.0]	2.
AUS138	ENVY SCOOTERS	Barry  Cuneo	31.0		5.0	7.0	4.0	5.0	[8
AUS320	ROCK 'N'  ROLL	Kim Williams	33.0		7.0	4.0	7.0	3.0	5.
AUS070	PANTHER	Stephen  O'Rourke	35.0		4.0	3.0	5.0	8.0	7.
AUS583	IF	Martin  Cross	40.0		8.0	8.0	[8.0]	7.0	6.