MC38 Harbour Regatta - Newcomers could put cat among pigeons

by Di Pearson on 12 Jul 2014 Two new MC38 players in Marcus Blackmore and Robin Crawford will join some old hands for the class’s Harbour Regatta to be sailed on Sydney Harbour over this weekend.

Although by no means a novice to one-design racing, this regatta signifies Blackmore’s first foray into the MC38 class with the latest in a long line of ‘Hooligan’s’. Buoyed by his control in the TP52 class over the last four years, with some Dragon competition thrown in for good measure, Blackmore will no doubt raise the bar a notch or two.

For Crawford, it marks a return to high level sailing after a hiatus of nearly 16 years. Despite this, Crawford could well set the tempo, having assembled a strong crew and put in some hard-yards training since taking charge of his new Assassin, the name associated with the yacht that co-won him the 1992 Sydney Hobart.

However, it could be grist for the mill to the stalwarts of the class, Leslie Green with Ginger, Ross Hennessy’s Ghost Rider and Vino, the yacht owned by winemaker Chris Hancock.

Green sailed Ginger to victory at Sail Port Stephens in April and kept the momentum going with second place at the Autumn Cup in May, in which Vino was third and Ghost Rider fourth, so the trio is ready.

McConaghy co-managing director, Jono Morris, said: 'It’ll be interesting to see how the two new but well-credentialled owners fair against the experienced MC38 owners. I’m looking forward to watching some great competition this weekend.'

To be hosted by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, the seven-race series could prove vital to success in the MC38 Australian Championship during August, ahead of October’s inaugural World’s in New Zealand.

The series will consist of windward/leeward races with the possibility of a passage race thrown in. While racing is expected to commence shortly after 11.00am today, on Sunday the first start will be shortly after 12.00pm, weather permitting.

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