Ichi Ban in disqualification

by Peter Campbell on 4 Jan 2005 Defending two-times Sailing South Race Week champion, Ichi Ban, has been disqualified from Race two of the Hobart-based regatta, making her task of winning a third series extremely difficult.


Another Sydney yacht, First National Real Estate, skippered by Michael Spies, has won the first three races of the six-race Boag’s Sailing South Race Week in the IRC division.


The protest committee announced their decision at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, effectively dismissing Ichi Ban’s claim for redress which had claimed the race committee had incorrectly signaled a change of course, and then disqualifying the Sydney yacht for sailing an incorrect course in race two.


Sailing master Roger Hickman said skipper Matt Allen’s intention had always been to voluntarily retire from race two if the protest committee found against their claim for redress, but the outcome had been a disqualification. ‘The umpire’s decision is final,’ he added.


Ichi Ban’s disqualification from race two came just before the start of race four, a 40 nautical mile race to Betsy Island, in Storm Bay, and return.


Soon after the start the powerful Farr 52 took the lead, hitting 15.5 knots under a shy spinnaker as she powered down the Derwent River towards the Iron Pot at the entrance to the river.


The leading boats in the IRC division and PHS divisions are expected to finish the Betsy Island race by mid-afternoon, while the Sports Boats are also on a distance race down river and the Cruising division boats are racing a round-the-buoys course.