Sydney 38 Division in Winter Series
by Peter Campbell on 24 Apr 2004
Cinquante crew - ready for BMW Winter Series Simon Reffold
A Sydney 38 One Design Division has been included for the first time in this year’s BMW Sydney Winter Series, with pointscore racing starting this Sunday, 25 April, on Sydney Harbour.
In total, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has received entries from near 160 boats, ranging from J24s to ocean racing maxi yachts, for Australia’s largest winter racing series.
Although a one-design class, the Sydney 38's will race off handicap starts like all other boats in the nine divisions of the Winter Series.
The three back-markers in the Sydney 38 division are Utopia, skippered by CYCA Commodore John Messenger, Cinquante (Michael Jones) and Estate Master (Martin & Lisa Hill) with only four minutes separating all but one boat in the division.
Divisions A, B and C include many prominent offshore racing yachts, including former Sydney Hobart overall handicap winners Quest (Bob Steel), First National Real Estate, now racing as Mr Beaks Ribs David Beak), and Wild Oats (Roger Hickman), along with George Snow’s Brindabella, Sean Langman’s Xena, and the Volvo 60s, Andrew Short Marine (Andrew Short), Seriously Ten (James/Woodruff/Robinson) and V2 – Nokia 2UE (Mark Gray/ Peter Sorensen/Julie Hodder).
Matt Allen has entered two boats named Ichi Ban – his successful ocean Farr 52 ocean racer and his recently acquired Farr 40 One Design – but has not indicated which one he will sail in Division A this Sunday.
Bluewater Champion and Rolex Sydney Hobart third placegetter, Nips N Tux (Howard De Torres) is among the 20 boats lining up in the competitive Division B.
Racing starts from 12 noon this Sunday, Anzac Day, but reverts to an 11am start for subsequent Sundays.
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