Heavy conditions test crews in Rolex OD Series

by Sam Crichton and Jennifer Crooks on 14 Dec 2008
For the third and final day of action in the Rolex Trophy One Design Series, the two fleets returned to the Macquarie Circle for their final races of the series. Inside the Harbour the breeze was kicking up its heels.

Offshore, the Sydney 38s and Farr 40s enjoyed a fantastic racetrack with a 15 knot sou'west breeze and flat waters compared to the rolling seas of day two.

The top mark was set off the cliffs of South Head and again the race committee was kept on its toes relocating the top mark to accommodate the shifting breeze. For the Farr 40 fleet in race one, New Zealander Brett Neill and his White Cloud crew recovered well from rounding the top mark last, moving through the Farr 40 fleet to take the first gun of the day ahead of overnight leaders, Lang Walker's Kokomo, helmed by Matt Allen in the owner’s absence with six-time Olympian Colin Beashel calling tactics.

For the second race of the day the race committee set a new course for the two fleets and under a cloud-dappled sky, the building breeze provided some fast downwind rides. Ivan Wheen's Sputnik took the lead early, making the rest of the fleet follow their red spinnaker around the course. Michael Dunstan stepped into the tactician role for Sputnik regular, Olympic Gold medallist Tom King. Sputnik won, closely followed by Lisa and Martin Hill’s Estate Master in second and White Cloud third.

The seventh and final race for the Farr 40s showcased tight one design racing at its best. Winners Lisa and Martin Hill's Estate Master had to hold off a threatening Kokomo to secure the top spot and finish second overall for the regatta. Estate Master was named Boat of the Day.

Overall results for the Farr 40s in the Rolex Trophy One Design Series saw Kokomo take victory with second and third place decided on a countback as Estate Master and Guido Belgiorno Nettis' Transfusion finished on equal points. Estate Master finished in second with Transfusion third.

'The whole series we have had tight and close racing. It showcases how competitive one design racing can be', said Allen.

'I was proud to helm for Lang in this regatta. The crew worked well in some tough conditions. We came out with an overall series win, so it’s a great team result.'

Principal Race Officer Dennis Thompson was pleased with the day’s racing.

'Today we experienced some of the best Farr 40 racing I’ve seen in heavy breeze conditions,' remarked Thompson.

'In the final race Kokomo and Estate Master were bow for bow as they planed to the finish in 24 knots of breeze.

'We saw some outstanding crew work in both fleets in the heavy air sailing , with particularly close racing in the Sydney 38 fleet, which handled the heavier breezes really well.'

In the Sydney 38 class Geoff Bonus' Calibre got off to a good start, reversing their misfortunes of Race one of the series to win the first race of the day. The ever consistent crew on Daryl Hodgkinson's Uplift finished in second and Steve Proud's Swish had their best result of the series, picking up a third on the results sheet.

In Race 4 Calibre and Uplift reversed their results from the first race of the day with Uplift first, Calibre second and Ian and Shane Guanaria's The Tavern completing the podium for race two in the Sydney 38 fleet.

For the last race of the day in the Sydney 38 fleet, Alan and Tom Quick's Iplex Outlaw left the best until last, winning the final race for the Sydney 38 class with Tony Walls' Acuity crossing the line in second and regatta winner Uplift taking third.

Uplift was named Boat of the Day and took out the Sydney 38 Series with a 12 point lead over Iplex Outlaw second and The Tavern third.

'This has been an amazing series for us', commented Daryl Hodgkinson, owner of Uplift.

'We have backed up our win in the NSW state championships with a win in this regatta.

'This is one of the heaviest weather regattas we have ever experienced. We had very challenging conditions and it was a great thrill to sail in wind gusts of over 30 knots.

'My thanks go to my crew who have now proven that our win in the State championships was not a fluke. They put in a great effort and have come up with the best result – a Rolex Trophy One Design Series win,' added Hodgkinson.