BMW Winter Series

by Peter Campbell, CYCA on 2 May 2005 CYCA member Bernie Van’t Hof was a happy man yesterday afternoon; ‘we had a most enjoyable sail and we came out a winner,’ he said after steering Carnaval to an all-the-way win in Division G of the BMW Sydney Winter Series on another superb late autumn day on the Harbour.

Carnaval won from Pistol Dawn (Mast Syndicate) with third place going to Breakfast (Peter Robinson) in a division of 15 boats

With entries reaching a record 196 boats for the Winter Series, a total of 161 started yesterday, the biggest fleet so far this year, everyone enjoying another great day of sailing in a breeze that kicked in at 20 knots but eased during the day to 10 knots, with some ‘pauses’ in between.

Several boats broke the start and were declared OCS (on course side) by race officials, three in Division J including last week’s winner Nocturne.

Starstruck Daveau (Ken Davis) sailed through the fleet to gain the lead and then hold out the fast-finishing back-markers Outside Chance (Barrie and Chris Elsbury) and Plus 16 (Salvatore Ridulfo).

International yachtsman Ray Roberts’ DK46, Hollywood Boulevard, scored a close win in Division A, beating last week’s winner Vanguard (Dick Cawse) by just 45 seconds, with CYCA Rear Commodore Geoff Lavis taking third place with UBS Wild Thing. As Geoff was making the presentation of trophies, wife Pippa accepted the trophy.

In Division B, David Mason scored a commanding win with his Beneteau 44.7, Prime Time, from You’re Hired (Ros Morgan and Andrea Bank, third going to Nips-n-Tux (Howard de Torres).

The Bavaria 42, Match Point, became the first boat to score two BMW Sydney Winter Series wins, when Tony Kirby steered the boat to victory in Division C, ahead of J Force (Moty and Judy Bergman) and Sea-Change (Michael Belakhov).

Just 14 seconds separated first and second in Division D, Away Away (Phil Goymour) just holding out the fast finishing HP Farr Lap (Farr Lap Syndicate) and Doug Sturrock’s Windflyt.

The Young 88, Youngstar (Garry Corstorphan) scored a fine win from Obsession II (Bruce and Neil Taverner) in Division E from the late finishing back-marker, London Calling (Stuart Bancroft).

Sydney Amateur Sailing Club member Guy Irwin sailed a brilliant race with his Endeavour 26, Clewless? to overtake the Bonbridge 27, Hornblower (P. Campbell/R. Bradshaw) at the final Shark Island rounding mark to win by 21 seconds in Division F. Third place went to the casual entry, Spirit of Defiance (Jens Rasmussen).

Results in the Sydney 38 Division were subject to protest, with provisional placings going to Team Lexus (James Mayo), which crossed the line only 33 seconds ahead of Calibre (Geoff Bonus) with another six seconds back to Estate Master (Martin & Lisa Hill).