Farr 30 World Championship - Preparing for the ultimate ride

by Farr 30 Class Association on 23 Aug 2011 The Farr 30 fleet are preparing for the ‘Ultimate Ride’ at what will be the first-ever San Francisco Class World Championship. The Farr 30 (née Mumm 30) is widely acknowledged to be one of the most significant and versatile 30-foot racing yachts ever created.

While its light, powerful hull and rig turn even the faintest zephyr into speed on the race course, the reputation of this ‘little big boat’ as a solid racing machine grew out of the Farr 30’s incredible performance in big winds and waves; from California to Calais; from the Bass Strait to the Bay of Biscay.

'There simply has never been a sweeter 30-footer in big breeze than the Farr 30,' said Terry Hutchinson, longtime crew aboard Jim Richardson’s Farr 30 Barking Mad and now skipper of America’s Cup Challenger Artemis Racing. 'I’d even go out on a limb and say that sailing a Farr 30 in 25+ knots of wind is one of the best experiences in all of sailboat racing!'

Hutchinson’s praise for the boat’s heavy-weather abilities is echoed throughout the sport, yet in the Class’s 15-year history, there has never been a World Championship in the most famous big-air venue in America; San Francisco.

Thanks to Farr 30 Class President and Groovederci skipper Deneen Demourkas and the St. Francis Yacht Club, that’s all about to change.

'We’ve been working toward a San Francisco Farr 30 Worlds for about two years now, and it’s going to be worth all the effort! I am absolutely certain that every team signed up is about to have some of the most memorable racing they’ve ever done,' said Demourkas. 'In addition to the St. Francis Yacht Club, I’d also like to thank the very generous San Francisco Yacht Club and their membership, hosts of our Pre-Worlds event September 5th and 6th. They really came through for us when a previously contracted party backed out of running the event at the last minute. I really can’t thank them enough for their help and support, they have been fantastic.'

The fleet will be based out of the Brickyard Cove Marina in Pt. Richmond for measurement, the Pre-Worlds hosted by the SFYC, and a prizegiving barbecue hosted by Quantum Sails. The Grand Prix fleet will then move to the StFYC, racing as part of the legendary Rolex Big Boat Series on September 8th to 11th. 'I’m really looking forward to this one!' said Demourkas.

The San Francisco Worlds has been on Barking Mad owner Jim Richardson’s mind for some time – in the last US-hosted Worlds, held in Newport in 2008, Richardson narrowly missed becoming the Farr 30 World Champ for the first time despite winning the final four races off windy Rhode Island. 'The competition level in this class is always so high that there are just no easy races, yet the camaraderie of the Class is without equal,' said Richardson, a multiple Farr 40 World Champ. 'Win or lose, a week of high-speed racing in San Francisco is something I’ve been looking forward to for ages!'

Richardson certainly has his cheerleaders. 'I’m definitely a little disappointed to miss this one,' said Hutchinson, whose role on the Artemis Racing at the AC World Series event in England that week prevents him from sailing with BM. 'But I’ll be cheering the boys on from afar, and checking out the photos and results daily, and I wish everyone the best of luck!'

International Farr 30 Class website