Anarchy leads the charge to M24 Nationals at Sail Port Stephens

by Jody O'Brien on 16 Jan 2009 The tour leader of the Queensland connection for the exciting Melges 24 class loves the Port Stephens area and is looking forward to a great National Championships at Sail Port Stephens in April this year.

Anarchy was the first Melges 24 to enter for the 2009 Nationals, which is expected to attract a fleet of up to 12 boats, and compliment a growing number of IRC and PHS racers making their way to Port Stephens from 20 to 26 April.

Based at Hope Island, John Hall is the Queensland agent for Melges and Northshore Yachts, and proud owner of a Melges 24 called Anarchy, sailing out of Southport Yacht Club on the Gold Coast.

He may be a Sunshine state convert now, but John has spent most of his life in Victoria, where he and his wife Pam, and their kids were long time members of the Mornington Yacht Club.

There are not many boats that John isn’t familiar with, having sailed from the age of seven, starting in Sabots at Frankston Yacht Club.

From the Sabots, he moved through just about every class including Mirrors, Moths, Fireballs, TS 16, Flying Fifteen, Southern Cross 23, S80 one design, Ross 930, Eureka 31, Etchells, Compass 38, Endeavour 30, just to name a few.

Whilst he’s a passionate competitor on one hand, John and his family love cruising, and a sea-change adventure nearly three years ago saw them head north out of Port Phillip Bay on their beautiful Dufour 44.

The 'Whisper Four' took them as far north as Bowen and when in far north Queensland, what better thing is there to do but to cruise and explore the Whitsundays ?!!

After a wonderful time in the sunny north, their journey back south saw them drop anchor at the Gold Coast and settle on land.

The Hall family spent some time in Port Stephens on their way north, and can’t wait to get back there in April this year to compete in the Melges 24 Nationals, to be held during the Sail Port Stephens regatta.

John sails Anarchy with his youngest son Tim, who at 14 years old, is a very skilled forward hand on both the M24 and on the Dufour 44.

They are sometimes joined by eldest son and big brother Andrew, affectionately referred to as the 'rock star sailor', who has sailed in both the Sydney Hobart and Melbourne Hobart offshore races.

Given that their Dad’s childhood and then adult life has been and continues to be surrounded by boats, both boys have grown up on them as well and are very handy sailors in their own right – Tim, at the age of 12, was the youngest ever to pass the challenging Sea Safety and Survival Course and already has over 7,000 offshore sea-miles in his log book, not to mention some pretty handy navigating skills.

John reckons that that Melges 24 is probably the best and most fun boat he has ever sailed...( and as the record states..he’s sailed a few !!!)

'The Reichel Pugh design is sweet on the breeze and sails like a keelboat, continually on the hunt for the wind....and off the breeze, the planning performance with the big, but easy to handle Asymmetrical spinnaker is nothing short of breathtaking !! 'he said.

With some sensational sailing in store and a fun social program to partake in, the Hall clan will make a family holiday out of their trip to compete at Sail Port Stephens – with the female contingent of the family – wife/mum- Pam and sister/daughter- Caitlin (otherwise known as the party organiser) joining in the festivities and supporting Team Anarchy.

'We love the area, and we are seriously looking forward to a great Melges 24 Nationals at Sail Port Stephens 2009 'said John.

Sail Port Stephens is on from April 20 to 26 2009.
- Commodores Cup - 20-22 April, a cruisey three day, three race series sailed under PHS
- Port Stephens Trophy – 24 -26 April - 3 races (PHS)
- Yachting NSW IRC Championships 24-26 April - pure windward leeward courses
- Melges 24 Nationals – 24 – 26 April

For more information go to www.sailportstephens.com.au