Mike Welsh cruises into Hobart - Hang on Trev, I need another beer

by Media Services on 31 Dec 2009
Sandringham yachtsman Mike Welsh arrived in Hobart at the end of a dream run in the 2010 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in his new Beneteau built Farr designed First 40 - horns locked in battle with two identical sister ships, Two True, from the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia and Paca from Sydney.

Owner/skipper Mike Welsh said from Constitution Dock, ' all three of us were in the hunt all the way down and all we lacked to match it with Two True was a code 0.

'This First 40 is an absolutely terrific boat' he continued 'and we had no gear failure, no mechanical problems, nothing, just champagne yacht racing all the way .

At one stage it looked as though it was going to be Beneteau First 40 1- 2-3 overall in IRC. Not bad when you consider the boat comes out of a box' he concluded.

'There was an unfortunate Melee in the harbour after the start' Mike continued, but we started right at the western end of the line and slipped along the exclusion zone buoys until we rounded the first mark, clear of the log jam.

'That's where Andrew got into trouble and the talk here is that there are five boats involved in the protest. I'm glad I don't have to shave and put on a tie to go and do that number' he concluded.

Back in September Mike had been with us on the Mariner Boating Croatia Yacht Rally where he sailed in a one-design fleet of Dufour 45's. With tongue in cheek he retorted,' our success in the the Hobart was due almost entirely to the experience we had in Croatia.

'Hang on a second Trev, I just need another beer.

'That Dufour 45 was an absolute glamour and the cruising fit out is actually better than the Beneteau. I still can't believe that we did not find the air-conditioning until the last day'.

'Seriously Trev, Carole and I reckon that holiday was the best we have ever had and you can put us down for another one somewhere some time next year'.

Mariner Boating are planning a one design rally in 2011 with a fleet of new Beneteau First 45's, the big brother to the 40.

The coin has finally dropped that cruising yachts do not have to be sailing slow coaches and the Beneteau, like the Dufours, are set up with spectra sails, lead keel, stern drive and folding propeller to compliment the standard Beneteau cruising fit out - three double cabins, two heads and a really good galley.

'When we used the one design concept for the first time in 2009 we added a whole new dimension to the rally' said Trevor Joyce of Mariner Boating.

'The boats were together on the water all the time during the six short races that made up the rally program and this added to the spirit of the competition without overheating the rivalry between boats'.

More info on the 2010 Mariner Boating rally program on www.marinerboating.com.au