Prince Philip Cup 2015 - Ingate takes the lead in Dragon Champs

by David Staley – Sailing Manager on 6 Jan 2015 Prince Philip Cup - the 2015 Australasian Championship - Gordon Ingate’s 'Whimsical' from Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron has taken the lead on day two of the Prince Philip Cup - the 2015 Australasian Championship for the International Dragon class.

Fellow RSYS sailor Wolf Breit in 'Shapes' trails Ingate by one point after leading yesterday.

Today’s breeze was rock steady at 190 degrees all day, building from 8-10 knots for the first start to 13-14 knots for the last run. The sun was shining, the waves were moderate.

'Just perfect racing conditions – you couldn’t ask for more', said Robert Campbell (GBR) after racing today.

Campbell and Ingate claimed a win each in today’s races, but Campbell’s 'Indulgence' is currently sixth overall due to an OCS yesterday. With a drop, the two boats would be on equal points, two behind Breit, but one more race is required before the drop kicks in.

There is some incredible experience within the crew of 'Whimsical'. 88 years young, Gordon Ingate represented Australia in the Tempest class in the 1972 Munich Olympics, David Giles has competed in four Olympics in the Star, and Brad Sheridan is a champion sailor in a variety of classes. They combined last year for third overall at the Prince Philip Cup in Western Australia.

When several of his competitors were asked how long Ingate has been sailing Dragons, the common reply was, 'I have no idea – Gordon has always been there'.

'I bought my first Dragon in 1987 and have sailed against Gordon many, many times since then', said Campbell.

Raymond Chatfield (RFBYC) and the crew of 'Wizzardry' scored five-two today to secure third place overall, but Campbell and 'Indulgence' should re-join the group aspiring to podium places after the next race.

The regatta has not been without its dramas. 'Asa', skippered by Victorian Dragon stalwart Don Blanksby, was involved in a collision at the top mark in today’s second race. The boat was dis-masted and another race is now on to have the boat ready to compete again on Thursday. Two protests are pending after today’s competition.

Christian Boillot and the crew of 'Imagination' are also reeling from their disqualification from both of yesterday’s races. The Jury imposed the penalty for sailing with a mainsail not registered for the event.

After tomorrow’s rest day, racing continues on Thursday and Friday at Royal Brighton Yacht Club.

Overall Results - Prince Philip Cup Regatta

						Race Number				Points
Pl	Name	Boat	Sail Num	State	Club	1	2	3	4	Total Points	Net Points
1	Gordon INGATE Brad SHERIDAN David GILES	Whimsical	DKA217	NSW	RSYS	4	3	2	1	10	10
2	Wolf BREIT	shapes	aus213	NSW	rsys	1	1	3	6	11	11
3	Raymond CHATFIELD Peter MASSEE Karen CHATFIELD	Wizzardry	AUS201	WA	RFBYC	5	4	5	2	16	16
4	Jeff ROSE Stuart LOFT Zane RIDGEWAY	Ridgeway	AUS180	VIC	RTYC/Metung YC	3	5	4	5	17	17
5	Sandra ANDERSON	Liquidity	210	WA	RFBYC	6	2	8	4	20	20
6	Robert CAMPBELL Robert ALPE Richard FRANKLIN	Indulgence	AUS218		RSYS	2	17 OCS	1	3	23	23
7	Angus RONEY	LYLA	194	VIC	RBYC	7	7	9	8	31	31
8	Michael WILKINSON Roger MASTERS Stephen FRIES	Xanthos	AUS212	TAS	RYCT	12	9	7	7	35	35
9	Paul JACKSON Glenn NORTON Peter COLEMAN	DRAGON LADY	AUS165	VIC	RBYC	8	8	11	11	38	38
10	Anthony ARMSTRONG Brendan MOSS Andrew HOWE	FrenchConnection	AUS211	NSW	RSYS	11	6	12	17 DNF	46	46
11	Hugh HOWARD Julie CLARK Manuela GALVAO	Tarakona	GBR600	VIC	Brighton	9	12	13	12	46	46
12	Charles STANTON Greg STANTON Andrew MOSS	AMAZING GRACE	AUS176	VIC	RBYC	13	10	15	9	47	47
13	Christian BOILLOT James HEYWOOD Paul MCKENZIE	IMAGINATION	AUS179	VIC	METUNG YC	17 DSQ	17 DSQ	6	10	50	50
14	Sarah CLOUGH Jacqui LOFT Jayde ROSE	Magic	D183	VIC	Metung Yacht Club	10	17 DNF	14	13	54	54
15	Donald BLANKSBY Steven NEWLANDS James HARLAND	ASA	DAUS177	VIC	RBYC	17 DNC	11	10	17 DNF	55	55
16	Jeremy NOLAN	Dejoka	AUS148	VIC	RBYC	14	13	16	17 DNF	60	60

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