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Sea Sure 2025

Cougar puts teeth into Range series

by Media Services on 18 Apr 2006
Beneteau 44.7 Cougar Glen Wills
A strong wind warning didn’t deter the large fleet from contesting the final of the seven race Yachting Victoria Range Series.

Premier class IRC Division 1 Beneteau 44.7 Cougar, skippered by Alan Whiteley from Sandringham Yacht Club, held a three point advantage going into the final race and could only be challenged by Flirt whose skipper, Chris Dare was so keen, he imported extra heavyweight experience from Sydney just for this race.

Unusually heavy conditions on the last day of the series April 8th, favoured the larger boats including Flirt, XLR8 and Goldfinger (Ichi Ban). Dekadence too was expected to perform well.

After a recalled start from anxious sailors, the final race settled down to a battle between Goldfinger, XLR8 and Flirt, trailing over the first leg. Surprisingly Cougar remained in touch with the leaders at the first mark and faultless crew work kept them well in contention throughout the next three legs.

The rough conditions caused several withdrawals with broken rigs and torn sails. Despite some strong sailing by the Flirt crew the margin at the finish was just 38 seconds ahead of Cougar on corrected time, and not enough to overcome Cougar’s consistent top placings in nearly all the preceding races.

The Range series is acknowledged as Victoria’s Premier keelboat event and it was a well deserved win for Cougar, taking the overall premier IRC series and establishing themselves as current top performed IRC boat on Port Phillip Bay. Skipper Alan Whiteley was elated with the result having been the bridesmaid both at Geelong Skandia Race week last year and at the Sandringham Club Aggregate series.

It is unfortunate the Cougar crew rarely meets the Sydney based Beneteau 44.7’s. One a few rare occasions at Hamilton Island and most recently in the Sydney Hobart, they managed to show a stern to them.

Overall series VYC division 1 the places were reversed with Flirt awarded the silver with Cougar two points in arrears. AMS also went to Flirt but Cougar was a non entry in that class. Cougar also took first place in division one race for VYC class yachts.

Alan Whitley commented today, ‘'The Range has proved to be a great series and when the last race determines the winner you cant get much better than that!

'Over the last few years the fleets in Melbourne have been getting stronger and stronger and we are sure the racing will be just as tight again next season.’

Series Results [IRC] for Division 1 up to Race 7 (Drops = 1)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper Sers Score Race 7 Race 6 Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   SM447 COUGAR A Whitley 9.0 2.0 [7.0] ABN 1.0 3.0 1.0 2.0
2   SM4321R FLIRT C Dare 11.0 1.0 2.0 ABN 3.0 1.0 4.0 [5.0]
3 2.0S SM46 DEKADENCE P Coombs 23.0 8.0 3.0 ABN 8.0 2.0 2.0 [8.0]
4   SM602 VELOCE P Simpfendor 23.0 4.0 [13.0] ABN 6.0 4.0 5.0 4.0
5 1.0S SM460 XLR8 G Troon 32.0 3.0 1.0 ABN 2.0 5.0 [26.0C] 21.0C
6   SM2 CHALLENGE L Abrahams 32.0 7.0 9.0 ABN 7.0 [28.0C] 6.0 3.0
7   B45 RUSH J Paterson 48.0 10.0 4.0 ABN 16.0 [28.0C] 11.0 7.0
8   G4646 SHOGUN R Hanna 53.0 [38.0C] 37.0C ABN 5.0 7.0 3.0 1.0
9   SM377 BACARDI W Ainley 58.0 5.0 [29.0F] ABN 23.0 9.0 7.0 14.0
10   R50 LIVING DOLL M Hiatt 59.0 [38.0C] 5.0 ABN 11.0 6.0 26.0C 11.0
11   R69 FUZZY LOGIC B Lennon/P Rober 63.0 9.0 12.0 ABN 20.0 [28.0C] 10.0 12.0
12   SM4407 MUSKETEER P Jacka 65.0 [38.0C] 16.0 ABN 13.0 10.0 16.0 10.0
13   SM6666 GOMEZ S Chiodo 66.0 23.0F 8.0 ABN 10.0 16.0 9.0 [26.0L]
14   SM880 ALIEN Mike Welsh 70.0 12.0 [29.0F] ABN 19.0 13.0 13.0 13.0
15   R1111 TOECUTTER 2 Robert Hick 77.0 23.0O 10.0 ABN 4.0 [28.0C] 14.0 26.0L
16   SM45 OUTRAGEOUS R Shaw 81.0 13.0 [29.0F] ABN 17.0 28.0C 17.0 6.0
17   B26 REVERIE Alan Woodward 82.0 23.0F [29.0F] ABN 14.0 12.0 18.0 15.0
18   SM8880 GOLDFINGER P. Blake/K. Mitch 101.0 6.0 6.0 ABN 21.0 34.0L 34.0L [34.0L]
19   SM1100 SMOOTH CRIMINAL D Cameron 102.0 [38.0C] 14.0 ABN 22.0 28.0C 21.0 17.0
20 12.0S SM600 FUN AND GAMES A Edwards 103.0 23.0F [29.0F] ABN 24.0 28.0C 12.0 16.0
21   R336 SWORDFISH TROMBONE T Olding/M Laver 103.0 23.0F [29.0F] ABN 27.0 15.0 20.0 18.0
22 14.0S S16 ADDICTION P Davison/R McGa 107.0 11.0 [29.0F] ABN 26.0 14.0 28.0L 28.0L
23   M415 ROUSEABOUT 3 J Rouse 107.0 [38.0C] 17.0 ABN 34.0C 11.0 19.0 26.0L
24   M4 CADIBARRA Nigel Jones 108.0 [38.0C] 37.0C ABN 34.0C 8.0 8.0 21.0C
25   H8118 MERLION E Mackevicius 123.0 [38.0C] 37.0C ABN 28.0 17.0 15.0 26.0L
26   SM1996 NO FEARR M Hannaford 134.0 [38.0C] 37.0C ABN 34.0C 28.0C 26.0C 9.0
27   SM3838 CLOCKWORK ORANGE S Winder 135.0 [38.0C] 15.0 ABN 18.0 34.0L 34.0L 34.0L
28   H6110 SAMSKARA S Stoopman 136.0 14.0 29.0F ABN 25.0 34.0L 34.0L [34.0L]
29   R34 SANDGROPER G Bagley 140.0 [38.0C] 29.0F ABN 9.0 34.0L 34.0L 34.0L
30   SM4100 TERRA FIRMA N BARTELS 145.0 23.0F 11.0 ABN 37.0L 37.0L 37.0L [37.0L]
31   SM4007 WASABI T Lewis 147.0 [38.0C] 29.0F ABN 34.0C 28.0C 28.0L 28.0L
32 12.0S R33 CHUTZPAH B. Taylor 151.0 [38.0C] 37.0C ABN 12.0 34.0L 34.0L 34.0L
33   SM1400 KNOTROL P Blake 151.0 [38.0C] 37.0C ABN 34.0C 28.0C 26.0C 26.0L
34   SM3801 LIVEWIRE T Hall 154.0 [38.0C] 37.0C ABN 15.0 34.0L 34.0L 34.0L
35   R111 GODZILLA MUNRO HENKEL 157.0 23.0F 29.0F ABN 35.0L 35.0L 35.0L [35.0L]
36   B63 SCHUSS D McCONNELL 163.0 15.0 37.0C ABN 37.0L 37.0L 37.0L [37.0L]
37   R2099 ELEKTRA B D FRASER 190.0 38.0C 38.0L ABN 38.0L 38.0L 38.0L [38.0L]



Series Results [IRC] for Division 2 up to Race 7 (Drops = 0)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper Sers Score Race 7 Race 6 Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   SM6886 YOUNG LION Michael Manson 12.0 3.0 ABN ABN 1.0 3.0 4.0 1.0
2   SM9006 SIERRA BULLET M Mollinson 20.0 7.0 ABN ABN 3.0 5.0 2.0 3.0
3   S191 SALAMANDER III C Jones 24.0 12.0 ABN ABN 5.0 4.0 1.0 2.0
4   SM278 GALATEA T Thornburn 38.0 5.0 ABN ABN 6.0 10.0 9.0 8.0
5   B120 UNDER CAPRICORN Phil Bedlingto /Andy 41.0 15.0 ABN ABN 10.0 7.0 5.0 4.0
6   SM49 DR UNC J Lindholm 48.0 10.0 ABN ABN 8.0 9.0 14.0 7.0
7   SM6142 WATERMARK II P Gwatt 55.0 6.0 ABN ABN 11.0 6.0 10.0 22.0C
8   S47 MRS OVERNEWTON L Norton 58.0 11.0 ABN ABN 12.0 17.0 8.0 10.0
9   R8338 MIDNIGHT RAMBLER D Cartan 70.0 14.0 ABN ABN 13.0 13.0 16.0 14.0
10   SM74 BARNSTORMER B Barnes 71.0 17.0 ABN ABN 4.0 12.0 12.0 26.0L
11   R16 EMPARA P Abrahams 73.0 19.0 ABN ABN 18.0 16.0 11.0 9.0
12   R22 REMEDY G Tobin 74.0 9.0 ABN ABN 17.0 30.0C 7.0 11.0
13   R25 SURPRISE J Klesdadt 76.0 2.0 ABN ABN 32.0C 30.0C 6.0 6.0
14 2.0S SM220 WAVELENGTH B Kruger 81.0 4.0 ABN ABN 15.0 2.0 30.0L 30.0L
15   SM5277 L'ATTITUDE T/D Little 81.0 16.0 ABN ABN 21.0 18.0 13.0 13.0
16   SM111 ANNA R Lepore 82.0 8.0 ABN ABN 7.0 30.0C 20.0 17.0
17   SM3200 MELALUECA T Phillips 87.0 36.0C ABN ABN 19.0 8.0 3.0 21.0O
18   R363 TOP GUN G Rowland/M Pete 94.0 1.0 ABN ABN 32.0C 1.0 30.0L 30.0L
19   S275 ROLLERCOASTER K Simpson /G. Bourne 95.0 18.0 ABN ABN 32.0C 14.0 19.0 12.0
20   M551 SUGOI T Fisher 101.0 13.0 ABN ABN 32.0C 15.0 15.0 26.0L
21   S6 BUSHIDO P Chapman 110.0 20.0 ABN ABN 22.0 19.0 23.0 26.0L
22   R111 GODZILLA A Munro 113.0 36.0C ABN ABN 32.0C 11.0 18.0 16.0
23   SM7314 FORZADO B Dobbie 118.0 36.0C ABN ABN 16.0 30.0C 21.0 15.0
24   SM927 SS FEATHERSWORD C Mellington 126.0 36.0C ABN ABN 20.0 30.0C 22.0 18.0
25   AUS6151 KATO B Eddington 128.0 36.0C ABN ABN 2.0 30.0C 30.0L 30.0L
26   6151 KATO B Eddington 129.0 36.0C ABN ABN 32.0C 30.0C 26.0C 5.0
27   SM8640 MATADOR M Stewart 135.0 36.0C ABN ABN 9.0 30.0C 30.0L 30.0L
28   B1151 TRIVIAL PURSUIT R Chisholm 141.0 36.0C ABN ABN 32.0C 30.0C 17.0 26.0L
29   M445 THE LAW FIRM J Hall 143.0 36.0C ABN ABN 32.0C 30.0C 26.0C 19.0
30   R63 PRION M. Dolphin 146.0 36.0C ABN ABN 14.0 32.0L 32.0L 32.0L
31   SM5426 OUT OF THE BLUE G Young 164.0 36.0C ABN ABN 32.0C 32.0L 32.0L 32.0L
32   SM6031 BALI DANCER B Marklew 176.0 36.0C ABN ABN 35.0L 35.0L 35.0L 35.0L
32   SM228 GOOD NEWS R. Walker 176.0 36.0C ABN ABN 35.0L 35.0L 35.0L 35.0L
32   SM7681 ISLAND TRADER JOHN CHATHAM 176.0 36.0C ABN ABN 35.0L 35.0L 35.0L 35.0L
35   SM748 VAPOUR TRAIL D La PEYRE 180.0 36.0C ABN ABN 36.0L 36.0L 36.0L 36.0L



Series Results [IRC] for Division 3 up to Race 7 (Drops = 1)
Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper Sers Score Race 7 Race 6 Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1   SM288 INTRUSION Luke Reinehr 10.0 4.0 1.0 ABN 1.0 2.0 [8.0] 2.0
2   B143 DOUBLE MALT WARREN Parker 17.0 3.0 [6.0] ABN 5.0 5.0 1.0 3.0
3   R298 WESTERN MORNING J Brenan 20.0 5.0 4.0 ABN 3.0 4.0 4.0 [7.0]
4   B353 MAGAZAN 53 N McGuigan/G Row 21.0 6.0 3.0 ABN [8.0] 3.0 3.0 6.0
5   B67 HOT SHOT Graham Noel 24.0 1.0 5.0 ABN 6.0 7.0 [7.0] 5.0
6   R3734 SERIOUS YAHOO II T Brown 32.0 2.0 18.0C ABN [18.0C] 9.0 2.0 1.0
7   S80 JACK TAR S Cartlidge 33.0 18.0C [18.0C] ABN 4.0 1.0 6.0 4.0
8   SM7803 ROLLS ROSS R Caldwell 38.0 [18.0C] 2.0 ABN 2.0 17.0C 9.0 8.0
9   S800 TAKE ONE Findlay/Murray N.A. 45.0 7.0 [18.0C] ABN 9.0 8.0 11.0 10.0
10   SM298 DECISIVE I Hetherington 49.0 8.0 8.0F ABN 11.0 10.0 12.0 [17.0L]
11   S28 SILHOUETTE BMS Syndicate 63.0 18.0C [18.0C] ABN 7.0 17.0C 10.0 11.0
12   R1221 MERAK B Huibers 64.0 18.0C 18.0C ABN [18.0C] 6.0 5.0 17.0L
13   B942 SWEET DREAMS R Hurrell 67.0 18.0C [18.0C] ABN 12.0 11.0 14.0 12.0
14   S381 NEW MORNING II M Buckley 75.0 18.0C 18.0C ABN [18.0C] 17.0C 13.0 9.0
15   S213 OLD NICK C. Thomas/K. Thom 82.0 18.0C 18.0C ABN 10.0 18.0L 18.0L [18.0L]
16   B880 ROUGH RED Kevin Robinson /Warr 84.0 18.0C 18.0C ABN [18.0C] 17.0C 17.0C 14.0C
17   S32 CLUB COMEDIE M & D Eger 87.0 18.0C 18.0C ABN [18.0C] 17.0C 17.0C 17.0L

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