Farr 40 One Design Trophy at Middle Harbour Yacht Club - Day 1
by Jennie Hughes 19 Jan 2019 00:43 PST
19-20 January 2019
The first Farr 40 regatta of 2019 took place today on The Sound with winds gusting up to 25 knots from the south, proving testing conditions and putting the seven boat fleet through their paces. Yet again, Tom and Alan Quick's Outlaw is in first place after scoring three bullets from four races.
The Outlaw team did not finish race two and Tactician David Chapman explained, "Coming up to the first windward mark in race two the backstay gave way. We are not sure as to the cause and are assessing the situation. The team did a great job to get the boat operational after a quick trip back to MHYC returning in time for races three and four".
Chapman paid tribute to his team mate, Outlaw bowman Wulf Wilkens. "The Outlaw team would like to wish Wulf Wilkens all the best as he moves into professional sailing. He will be missed and we will enjoy our last regatta with him".
Jeff Carter's Edake is in second place just two points behind Outlaw. Team Edake had a consistent day on the water and are pleased to have Tactician Evan Walker back on board.
Chapman continued, "It's nice to have Evan Walker back in the fleet calling Tactics on Edake. Evan has been in the UK for the last year and he made a noticeable difference on Edake today."
Forty Owner, Sam Hill saved his racing this season for the final three important regattas; this weekend's One Design Trophy, the NSW State Title and National Championships. Hill's absence from last year's regatta's, certainly didn't hold the team back today and Forty is in third place, just one point behind Edake.
Hill, responsible for reinvigorating the Australian Class in 2013 is happy to be back racing with the fleet and as he enjoyed the Beer and Pizza Dock Party, he nominated Tactician Finn Alexander to comment on the days racing. Alexander, a laser sailor with the Australian Sailing Team was pleased with today's results. "We were happy with today's scores of 4-4-3-3 considering this is the first regatta of the season for us and we had an inexperienced crew. Some of our crew have never sailed in a Farr 40 regatta before".
Alexander continued, "Will Ryan will be calling tactics on Forty for the States and Nationals and I will move back into strategy. We had no expectations today and are looking to improve as a team and individually tomorrow".
With just one point separating third to sixth place, anything can happen with the final four races being sailed inshore tomorrow, Saturday, 20 January 2019.
The Farr 40 Class would like to thank our awesome PRO Phil Yeomans and the wonderful volunteers on the start boat and mark boat for another successful day on the water.
For more information and full results see www.farr40.asn.au/results