CYCA Commodore-Elect on a winner

by Peter Campbell on 1 Jul 2002 Post-race celebrations at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia following today's second last race of the BMW Sydney Winter Series were sadly overshadowed by the announcement to crews that one of their fellow competitors had died, apparently from a heart attack, during the event.

Gary McPike, 55, an American living in Sydney with his wife, was skippering his yacht Joyride in Division C when he accidentally fell overboard. Despite almost immediate rescue efforts by two crew members of the Sydney 38 Obsession, who dived overboard to assist him, Gary failed to respond to CPR treatment. (See earlier news release)

As a mark of respect, the CYCA cancelled the post-race presentation of trophies, with hundreds of crew members observing a minute's silence on the Deck.

Few knew of the drama on the water as they continued the race in easing, but still fresh south-westerly breeze, with several close finishes in the various divisions.

Among the winners today was John Messenger, the new Commodore-elect of the CYCA, who steered his Sydney 38, Utopia, to a 21 second victory over the Pacific Sailing School's Cadenza. In third place, only 15 seconds further astern, was another Sydney 38 Love Byte, owned by IT experts, Alison and Anthony Pickering.

In Division A, the backmarker in the fleet, the Kookaburra Challenge's former America's Cup contender, X-Box-Spirit, overtook Ray Roberts' Farr 52 One Design, Hollywood Boulevarde, to win by just 10 seconds, third place going to George Snow's Jutson 80, Brindabella, in a day of power sailing.

CYCA Vice Commodore Martin James steered his Farr 65, Infinity III, into fourth place, a vital result in his duel with Geoff Lee's Sayer 42, Taurus VIII, for overall lead in the Winter Series pointscore. Taurus VIII did not have a good race, finishing 15th.

First place in Division C went to Jayargee (Stephen Giffin) by just six seconds from 1998 Sydney Hobart Race winner, AFR Midnight Rambler (Ed Psaltis and Bob Thomas), third to The Amateurs (Jonathan Gibson). The two pointscore leaders, Peugeot Racing (Peter Whitford) and Akela (Akela Syndicate) finished 11th and 15th respectively.

Competition for overall victory in Division D is still close, with two of the top three boats, Cougar (John McCarthy) and Spearhead (Tribal Syndicate) placing second and third to Forzada (Geoffrey Phillips) although Deception (David Mason) was back in 12th place today.

None of the top boats finished in the first three of Division E, with overall leader Caprice of Huon (David Champtaloup) finishing sixth today, third placed Redeemer (Michael Phillips) one place ahead, and second placed Casablanca (Stephen Roach) in seventh place. Division E winner today was Cutloose (Rod McConchie) from Felice (Daniel Storch) and Scarlett O'Hara (Robert Skol).

In Division F, Magic (David Wright) has maintained a narrow overall lead with a fifth place today while her nearest rivals, Laissez Faire (J.Hill/G.Connery) and Hyper Activ (Simon Lavers) came in seventh and ninth. Jacobina (Phillip Mellor) took out today's race from Naughty Call (Gregg Watson) and Short Circuit (Jon Short).

The consistent Sea Hug Hoo Ha, skippered by Peter Howes, strengthened her pointscore lead in Division G with a comfortable win whilst nearest rival Clewless (Guy Irwin) finished ninth. Second place today went to Wait for Want (Michael Morris/David Dale), third to Devils Advocate (M.Donnelly/A.Barnes).

Former world One Ton Cup winner back in the 1970s, Stormy Petrel, notched up her third win in four starts for owner Kevin O'Shea in Division J, winning from A Bientot (John Watson) and pointscore leader Privateer (William Morrow).

The last of 13 races to decide the 2002 BMW Sydney Winter Series will be sailed next Sunday, with the second Ladies Day Race for the Chris Lee Trophy winding up the winter racing program the following Sunday.