Please select your home edition
Edition
Excess Catamarans

MC38 Winter Series Act 3 at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - Overall

by Lisa Ratcliff 17 Jul 2017 06:27 AEST 15-16 July 2017

In the absence of their divine leader Leslie Green, team Ginger consolidated and extended their MC38 Winter Series lead in another day of light winds on Sunday July 16, 2017, to clinch the third stage win by five points.

Marcus Blackmore's Hooligan switched gears and guest tactician Seve Jarvin made savvy calls in the two races in patchy WSW breeze to finish North Sails boat of the day and second overall, just a point in front of their RPAYC clubmates on John Bacon's Dark Star.

Back at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club after racing, Ginger's helmsman Julian Plante said, "We had a good calm bunch and had the confidence in what we were doing to come back yesterday, and today. Both races today we didn't get around the first mark in great shape but we knew our turn would come and we stayed true to the plan.

"Light airs have been a bit of an Achilles heel and we've been working on it this winter. Today we found better speed and we had the confidence to play the percentages."

On Colin Beashel's vast knowledge of the Pittwater waterway and its nuances, particularly in winter, Plante added laconically, "He knows his way around out there. He's such a calm guy but decisive, and makes the right moves. You forget what he's done sometimes, he's so calm," Plante added, referring to Beashel's credentialed sailing past including six Olympic Games, a bronze medal and one of the winning America's Cup crew on Australia II in 1983.

Just back from Marstrand in Sweden and the second round of the World Match Racing Tour is Ginger's long-time bowman Matt Stenta, who is part of the DownUnder Racing team. "Next year we are aiming for a tour card and we've just bought two M32s; fingers crossed that helps our training for next year's tour," said Stenta. On sailing with the Ginger crew he added, "I'm just a massive sponge taking it all in from the greats".

A first and a second in the two races - the second shortened at the second top gate as the breeze went into transition before eventually swinging to the north much later in the day -were enough to move Hooligan into the runner-up position. Peter Johnson helmed in Blackmore's absence and spoke highly of guest tactician Seve Jarvin.

On his first Hooligan outing Jarvin said, "We got off the start line well and the team did a really good job. The boat was fast and the sails went up and down nicely. Today you couldn't try to cover, you had to back yourself."

Monday morning at 6am, Jarvin and a number of other MC38 sailors will meet at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for an early morning training session in preparation for the Etchells World Championship 2017 in San Francisco in September.

Ross Hennessy and Ghost Rider returned to MC38 class racing on Pittwater after an extended break and finished up fourth overall. "It's hard to get a consistent crew together," the skipper admitted. "We are trying to wind up, to get as good as the crews who have been together for a while."

The fleet will take a break in August, so many of the owners and crew can sail on other boats at Airlie Beach and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, and return September 16-17 for the final act 4 of the MC38 Winter Series.

So far Maserati has scored one stage win and Ginger two.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoBoat NameSkipperClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
138011GINGERJulian PlanteCYCA33231214
2AUS5521HOOLIGANMarcus BlackmoreRPAYC7F2342119
338002DARK STARJohn BaconRPAYC7F4114320
4403GHOST RIDERRoss HennessyRPAYC25526424
5NZL38014EASY TIGER VIChris WayRPAYC117R65626
6HI101VINOChris HancockRPAYC7F6453530

Related Articles

Race Yachts latest premium offerings
When only the best will do... Race Yachts are thrilled to present our latest premium offerings in high-performance race yachts, available now through Race Yachts Brokerage. Our collection features some of the most exciting vessels on the market. Posted on 12 May
Race Yachts latest premium offerings
Come and experience some of the best Race Yachts on the market today Come and experience some of the best Race Yachts on the market today. 2025 has started strong as we have never been busier, it's time to prepare for the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart race later this year. Posted on 9 Mar
Paying tribute to International Women's Day
At Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta Saturday 8 March is International Women's Day, celebrating all manner of achievements by women from all walks of life who are making waves around the world - and here at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta Posted on 2 Mar
Light and late start to Sydney Harbour Regatta
A change in conditions tomorrow may prove the tipping point for the Wildling 3 crew and the rest It was light on for breeze, shifty and late to start because of those things at the Nautilus Marine Sydney Harbour Regatta opener and while the breeze remained relatively light, it was a spectacular summer-like day on the first weekend of autumn Posted on 1 Mar
Sydney Harbour Regatta 20 year celebrations!
An event where club racers match it with Olympians, America's Cup & world champion sailors Sydney Harbour Regatta is in two weekend's time and MHYC has extended entry to 25 February and revealed some prizes for 20th anniversary edition from 1-2 March in an event where club racers match it with Olympians, America's Cup & world champion sailors. Posted on 23 Feb
Sailing legend returns to Sydney Harbour Regatta
'Wingnut' is returning to race at the Sydney Harbour Regatta The man they nicknamed 'Wingnut', the indefatigable Gordon Ingate OAM, is returning to race at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, being staged on the weekend of 1-2 March - just shy of his 99th birthday. Posted on 13 Feb
Elevate Your Racing Experience with Premier Yachts
Race Yachts Brokerage features some of the most distinguished vessels on the market Race Yachts are thrilled to present our latest premium offerings in high-performance race yachts, available now through Race Yachts Brokerage. Our collection features some of the most distinguished vessels on the market. Posted on 3 Sep 2024
Race Yachts Premium Brokerage - Winter Specials
The TP / IRC 52 Crush has so much pedigree This TP / IRC 52 has so much pedigree, built as Azzura then to become Shogun, Ichi Ban, Envy Scooters and now Crush. She has as excellent performance record under IRC and ORC and comes complete with an extensive up to date inventory. Posted on 20 Jun 2024
Race Yachts Premium Brokerage - Autumn Selection
When only the best will do... When only the best will do... Posted on 24 Apr 2024
Race Yachts Summer selection of IRC racers
When only the best will do When only the best will do... Posted on 30 Jan 2024
Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERX-Yachts X4.3