Ticket of Leave wins Australian Offshore Keelboats under IMS

by Di Pearson on 28 Jan 2003 Ticket of Leave who came 2nd in last year's Offshore Championships in Adelaide to Loki, sailed consistently to win with three firsts and three
seconds.

Kevin Wood, Immediate Past Commodore of Sandringham YC, was elated with the win as during the season 2002 they came 2nd each time in the major regattas
in which they competed around Australia.

Kevin put down the win to the excellence of his crew and their high standard of consistent sailing in his Beneteau 40.7, Ticket of Leave.

As Chairman of the Sail Melbourne International Regatta Kevin was unable to be onboard for all the races but he ensured that he sailed in the last two to be a part of the winning team.

Veteran ocean racer, Lou Abraham's finished 2nd overall, with Hollywood Boulevard 3rd.

Ticket of Leave will now compete in the Geelong Festival Of Sail Scotchman Hill series, sailing in both the IMS Division for which they are the
favourite and in IRC.

Later in the year they will be racing in the Hogsbreath Regatta in which they came 2nd last year in IRC and then the Hamilton Island Race Week in which they also came 2nd last year.

It's good to see Ticket of Leave breaking away from being the bridesmaid of 2002.

For further results and information on the Championship go to the official website at: www.sailmelbourne.com.au