Hartley TS16s Gear Up for Nationals

5:05 AM Sun 11 Oct 2009 GMT

'City backdrop copy - Hartley TS16 Club Championships' Crosbie Lorimer

The strong Hartley TS 16 fleet at Drummoyne Sailing Club is hoping to gain a' home ground' advantage on the Parramatta River as they warm up for the class's National Championships which their club will host in late December this year.

14 boats were out on the water today for Round 2 of the Club Championships, tackling the tricky river conditions on a course that encircled Snapper and Spectacle Islands before running west towards Gladesville Bridge.

This trailer sailor fleet is highly competitive and the boats - although of a 40 year old design - are deceptively quick, flourishing today in fluctuating 8-12 knot breezes.

Charlie Brown approaches the top mark - Hartley TS16 Club Championships - Crosbie Lorimer

Get the wrong side of a shift in this fleet and it's a long haul back to regain the places that you lose. Just ask Dick Voorderhake, the former Farr 40 owner and skipper who now races his immaculately built Rapscallion with longstanding crew Richard Blake.

'We got a good start, then got the wrong side of a couple of right handers and that was about it for the rest of the race' said Dick after today's race, having battled to finish in sixth place.

Dick Vooderhake and Richard Blake - Hartley TS16 Club Championships - Crosbie Lorimer

Technique is also at a premium on a Hartley; crewman Richard Blake is an experienced trimmer but he's learning the ropes again aboard this Rapscallion. 'It seems you have to forget everything you learned about headsail trimming' said Richard ruefully today.

'Hartleys don't have spinnakers and although the headsail is small the detailed trim is critical' he added, putting their race performance down to a slow recovery from his daughter's wedding party the night before.

Eric Partland aboard Uncle Bob showed the fleet a clean pair of heels to win today's race, Justine Tornai helming Charlie Brown ran second, while Neil Johnson, skipper of Tranquil, took the remaining slot on the podium.

The Hartley National Championships run from 27th December 2009 to 3rd January 2010 from the Drummoyne Sailing Club.