Skandia Courage romps away at Skandia Geelong Week

by Di Pearson on 24 Jan 2005 Mike Freebairn and his Queensland crew on Skandia Courage won both races again today to romp away to 10 point lead at Skandia Geelong Week on Corio Bay and cannot be beaten for the series.

Freebairn, who was disappointed in late December, having to retire from the Rolex Sydney Hobart race, is a happy man, having won every single race of the IRC Division 2 series conducted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

Races 5 and 6 were sailed today on windward/leeward trapezoid courses on Corio Bay in shifting and increasing breezes. Skandia Courage, better known as Koomooloo, came home fast in both races, leaving almost the entire division in her wake, despite her 37 years.

She beat much newer and supposedly faster yachts home on line as well, showing there is plenty of life left in the beautifully kept Kaufman 41 yacht yet.

Skandia Passion (Vic), Shane La Peyre’s Farr 1020, maintains second overall with one race remaining tomorrow. La Peyre scored 2-3 today, to increase his lead on the third placed Mrs. Overnewton (Vic), Leslie Norton’s Bavaria Match 38.

Norton had a good day with fourth and second places and leads Gordon Mather’s Revenge (Vic) in fourth place by just two points.

The final race for the IRC 2 division occurs on Corio Bay on a fixed mark course and will determine second and third places in this close event.