ASM Brindabella takes the double in SORC Day 1

by Peter Campbell on 24 Nov 2007 Andrew Short, the new owner of Australia's most famous maxi yacht Andrew Short Marine Brindabella, today notched up his best win since buying the boat from longtime owner George Snow.

ASM Brindabella took line and IRC handicap honours in the IRC/PHS Racer/Cruiser division of the Savills 30th Short Ocean Racing Championship, a 20 nautical race from Sydney Harbour to a mark off Coogee and back.

The Jutson 79 is one of 15 entrants for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race competing in the Savills regatta as an important lead-up to the long ocean race. The total regatta fleet is 86 boats.

In the fact, the start of the race to Coogee had all the markings of a Sydney Hobart start as the 39 boat fleet dashed down the Harbour under spinnaker before beating into a 20 knot southerly with lumpy seas as they headed south to Coogee.

Once around the Coogee mark, ASM Brindabella surfed back up the coast to sail the race in a fast one hour and 37 minutes, taking first place on IRC handicap from late entry Exquinox, Anthony Dunn's Sydney 36CR, both from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

'It was a great race. We are keen to win again tomorrow and hopefully walk way with a new Seiko Velatura watch,' skipper Short said back at Middle Harbour Yacht Club this afternoon.

'I'm using this series as a crew selection for the Rolex Sydney Hobart. I have 30 crew and only 20 spots for Hobart. So it's down to wire.there were zero mistakes made today so the selection process will be tough,' he added.

The Pittwater boat Pretty Woman, Richard Hudson's IC 45 from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club took third place. She is also a Rolex Sydney Hobart entrant.

ASM Brindabella, a former line honours winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart and holder of the record for a conventionally ballasted boat, as well as many other Australian east coast race records, was relaunched this year by her new owner.

A highly experienced offshore sailor, Andrew Short has modified the boat by adding a bow sprit and may change the keel prior to the maxi yacht's 13th trip south.

The PHS division went to Adrian Abbott's Farr-designed ILC40 Kirribilli which sailed an impressive race to win from Rolex Sydney Hobart entrant Sailors with disdAbilities, David Pescud's Lyons 54, third going to the Jeanneau Sunfast 36 Cloud Nine, skippered by Ron Haydon from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. The first two boats are both from the CYCA.