8:43 AM Thu 11 Feb 2010 GMT
With one of the biggest and strongest fleets in years, the 2010 Sydney 38 Australian Championships, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, is set for an extremely close tussle as the hot field of 17 assemble on the start line from tomorrow.
The Sydney 38's are renowned for their close, competitive One Design racing and this regatta will definitely see this type of racing delivered, with many current and past class National & State champions spread through the fleet .
The first race of this Grade 1 regatta is scheduled to kick off at 1100hrs tomorrow (Friday), on a course on the Palm Beach Circle paddock, two nautical miles off Barrenjoey Headland in Sydney's North. The fleet is set to contest nine windward/leeward races over three days to decide the 2010 National Champion. PRO for the event will be RPAYC Club member Stephen Merrington.
Defending National champion, Tony Walls 'Acuity' representing the RPAYC has dusted off and completely put back together his Sydney 38 for the regatta and is keen to defend his title he won so dominantly last year, when this event was held on Sydney Harbour. He will again be hard to beat with a strong 'brains trust' at the back of the boat including Beijing 470 Olympic Gold Medalist Malcolm Page on main sheet trim Australian sailing team member Katie Pellew (Spithill) calling tactics. As his boat name suggests, he will be hoping for some sharp insight and keenness amongst his team over the next few days.
Current Audi Victoria Week champion, 'Cinquante' owned and skippered by Ian Murray from RGYC, is back again and is one of three Victorian Sydney 38 entrants. Murray will be one to watch early on in the regatta as he comes fresh off his recent win at the Audi Victoria Week.
Another familiar face and Victorian joining the fleet once again is 80-something veteran, Lou Abrahams representing the SYC. Lou, the current Victorian State champion and sailing legend has accumulated quite a lot of time in the Syd38 class and this time around will be sailing 'The Zen Challenge' and as always, surrounded by his able crew, will be right up there in the final placings.
The third Victorian who have made the trek up to Sydney is Greg Clinnick, representing the RBYC, who like Abrahams has chartered his boat 'The Audacious Conspiracy' to compete in the event.
Another of the seven RPAYC entrants, Mark Griffiths 'Old School' formerly 'Limit', is a proven boat having won the Nationals in 2008, under former owner Allen Brierty. Steve McConaghy will be calling tactics and brings some form leading into this regatta following his successful campaign in Asia aboard 'Evolution Racing' winning the Langkawi and Singapore Straits Regatta only a fortnight ago. Griffiths has pulled together a strong crew with a wealth of local knowledge, making the 'Old School' a serious threat.
Third, fourth and fifth placed respectively in the 2009 Nationals, 'Outlaw' (Alan & Thomas Quick), 'Calibre' (Geoff Bonus) and 'The Tavern' (Ian Guanaria) are three of five boats representing the CYCA and will once again be amongst the front runners when the final results are announced.
With one lone Queenslander in the form of Ray Sweeney 'Mondo' (RQYS) amongst the three Victorians and thirteen teams from NSW, this regatta is shaping up to be an exciting and close battle where crew work will be tested and tactics vital in an effort to get an advantage over the stiff competition, to decide the 2010 Sydney 38 National Champion.
Prizes will include the usual glorious trophies and a swag of goodies that will be provided by members and friends of the Class including sailing products from Glowfast Marine, fine wines from Glenguin Estate, Sailing Jackets from Sierra Active Wear, Zhik sailing gear and goodies from BoatMate.
Provisional List of Entries contesting the 2010 Sydney 38 Australian Championship:
Boat Name - skipper - Club
Calibre - Geoff Bonus - CYCA
The Tavern - Ian Guanaria - CYCA
X 3 - Michael Mc Mahon - CYCA
Outlaw - Alan & Thomas Quick - CYCA
Argie Bargie - Chris Lancaster - RPAYC
Risk - Geoff Payne - RPAYC
The Audacious Conspiracy - Greg Clinnick - RBYC
The Goat - Bruce Foye - CYCA
The Zen Challenge - Lou Abrahams - SYC
Eleni - Tony Levett - MHYC
Acuity - Tony Walls - RPAYC
The Bolter - Rick Welch - RPAYC
Stoneybroke - Robin Tedder - RPAYC
Cinquante - Ian Murray - RPAYC
Mondo - Ray Sweeney - RQYS
Old School - Mark Griffith - RPAYC
Eye Candy - Gavin Ward/Chris Dawson - RPAYC
by Damian Devine & Tom Spithill - RPAYC
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