Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Festival of Sails 2013 - International A-Class - Breakthrough win

by Danielle McKay on 27 Jan 2013
Gill International A Class Catamaran Southern Champion - David ’Demon’ Parker - Festival of Sail 2013 Teri Dodds http://www.teridodds.com
Festival of Sails 2013. With a borrowed boat and a demon of an alias, International A-Class young-gun David Parker claimed his first ever major regatta win.

Parker started the final day’s racing with a win in the mildest conditions of the regatta so far, a meek 10 knots from the southeast.

It was enough to make the boat builder nervous; knowing full well that 20-knots wind speed is his racing sweet spot.

'I was really worried at the start, you know, there are nine or 10 blokes out there who could win this,’’ he said.

But, he found new confidence racing his father’s catamaran, a relatively new design DNA A-Class.

'The new design is a lot faster,’’ he said. 'I’m pretty happy with dad for lending me his boat, it’s a great feeling to win, especially when there are blokes ranked in the top 10 out there racing.'



Winning the Gill International A-Class Trophy could be the start of a new superstition for Parker, who entered the regatta under his nickname ‘Demon’ for the first time.

'I might have to consider doing it every time if it brings me this sort of luck,’’ he said with a laugh.

Stuart Scott also finished with 29 points, but finished second on countback with Livewire2. Graeme Parker finished third with Chasingshadows on 36 points.

Sports Boats: No monkeying around



Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Shaw 650 Monkey Business finished second and third today to claim a home victory, winning the Bundaberg Rum Sports Boat Trophy.



Skipper Cam Rae was ecstatic, and hopeful that the good form would continue heading into the national titles in April.

'We had an really ordinary first race today, so we weren’t confident,' Rae said. 'But, as they say, it’s not over till it’s over, and the boys worked really hard.

'The guys who filled the top three spots are all excellent sailors so to come away with a win is a great thing.'

Foamfast skippered by Paul Heyes finished second, six points behind on 22, followed by Noel Leith-Smith’s Vivace in third place, also on 22 points.

SB20: Daring to win



Finally, claiming the Maui Jim SB20 Victorian Trophy was Flirtatious skipper Chris Dare. It was an average day for Dare and his crew, who posted their worst results of the regatta.

Despite today’s form the team rallied to win with 11 points, four points clear of A-Play, skippered by Dean Joel, and eight points ahead of Mark Wolfenden’s Still Out of Control.

International A Class Catamaran Southern Champs 2 (Top-5 finishers after nine races)

1.)Demons New A - David Parker (29 points)
2.)Livewire 2 - Stuart Scott (29 points)
3.)Chasing Shadows- Graeme Parker (36 points)
4.)White Pointer- Stephen Brayshaw (42 points)
5.) Wild Thing - Christpher Batenburg (42 Festival of Sails 2013

Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup 2025 | Welcome from Cowes
Bow Caddy Media provide an introduction and interview with Shane Guanaria from Zen Ahead of the first race, Crosbie Lorimer provides an introduction and interviews Shane Guanaria from Zen
Posted today at 11:12 pm
Aussies hunt 'Ashes on Water' win
The BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance in Portsmouth Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth.
Posted today at 9:27 pm
4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted today at 6:45 pm
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted today at 5:41 pm
SailGP: No practice racing at Portsmouth
The Practice Race was a fizzer, however the future of the SailGP fleet development was revealed. The scheduled Practice Day failed to fire at SailGP Portsmouth, after the forecast, admittedly light, breeze failed to male an appearance. The self propelled start marks were making a much better speed than the F50s.
Posted today at 4:14 pm
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted today at 1:26 pm
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted today at 1:18 pm
World Sailing Nations Cup to make grand return
After a seven-year hiatus, World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world's top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return.
Posted today at 9:08 am
J/99s the in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
There will be a race within a race taking place in the 63 yacht fleet When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place.
Posted today at 6:53 am
2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth Day 2
A classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and drizzle The second day of the WASZP Pre-Games served up a classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and with a hug of fresh drizzle.
Posted today at 5:25 am