3:00 AM Mon 1 Feb 2010 GMT
As part of the 2010 Audi Victoria Regatta hosted by Royal Geelong Yacht Club from 21st to the 26th January, a fleet of 10 Sydney 38's enjoyed great One Design racing with the local yacht 'Cinquante' skippered by the event sponsor, Ian Murray sailing a consistent series to win by 4.5 pionts.
The local fleet was joined by the recently purchased 'Adrenalin' (Rob Hurrell) for its first regatta as well as two interstate entries 'Mondo' (Ray Sweeney) from Queensland and 'Shining Sea' (Andrew Corletto) from South Australia. One other entry of note was 'Another Challenge' (Chris Leewin) which was the stand out of the regatta. Each crewman on board made a financial contribution to the regatta and certainly came out firing, winning two heats and without a costly OCS in race four may well have won the six race no drops regatta.
Race 1 Passage Race From Williamstown To Geelong
A mass start of over two hundred boats made starting difficult.'Challenge' (Lou Abrahams) was recalled at the start and it was over three minutes into the race before the indiscretion was confirmed. With major wind shifts occurring on the 15 mile beat to Point Richards marker the winners came from the favoured left hand side of the course. 'Cinquante' and 'Another Challenge' established a good lead from the rest of the fleet whilst '38 Degrees South' (John Chatham) was also well placed. With the balance of the race to Geelong a fetch, those positions remained unchanged to the finish.
Races 2 and 3 Outer Course
Sharing the course with the IRC fleet, two windward leeward races were sailed on Day 2 in light to moderate conditions. The course area was extremely challenging for crew with sides of the course very much favoured. 'Challenge' led both races to the first mark but struggled to hold the lead on both occasions by trying to cover its opposition sailing the centre of the course. However, it was 'Another Challenge' which was the star of the day. With current world Contender champion 'Jono' Neate calling the shots, 'Another Challenge' dominated the racing winning both heats. John Chatham also sailed well finishing second in Heat 3 .
Races 4 and 5 Outer Course
After a rethinking of tactics, the day belonged to 'Challenge'. After another delayed start due to lack of wind, the first race started in a very light variable wind from the south. Opting to sail her own race and tacking to leeward of her opposition, these tactics proven beneficial and after a scare of being OCS in one of those heats, 'Challenge' convincingly won both races and her crew had learnt another valuable lesson sailing on Corio Bay. 'Cinquante' cemented herself on top of the leaders board with two seconds.
Race 6 Inner Harbour
After another delayed start, the sea breeze finally kicked in, building throughout the race to 20 knots. 'Sierra Chainsaw' (Mel Morrison) sailed a blinder to lead from start to finish from 'Challenge' and 'Cinquante'. The shared leeward gate roundings were exciting as the IRC fleet sailing a longer course, appeared out of nowhere just as the Sydney 38 fleet were making their approaches. With rigs set for lighter conditions, crews were challenged to compensate making for interesting sailing.
FINAL RESULTS
1. Cinquante Ian Murray 14 Points
2. Another Challenge Chris Lewin 18.5 Points
3. Challenge Lou Abrahams 19 Points
4. Sierra Chainsaw Mel Morrison 25 Points
5. Audacious Greg Clinnick 31.5 Points
6. 38 Degrees South John Chatham 32 Points
7. Shining Sea Andrew Corletto 38 Points
8. Clockwork Gordon Mather 45 Points
9. Mondo Ray Sweeney 52 Points
10. Adenalin Rob Hurrell 56 Points
With the 2011 Sydney 38 National Championships scheduled to be included in next year's Audi event, the regatta was a timely reminder of what conditions to expect. The conditions gave everyone an opportunity to make gains and promote close racing. The main lesson from this regatta is you must sail your own race and adapt to the fanning effect of the wind over the water.
Thanks to our interstate visitors for supporting the event and we look forward to seeing more interstate entries for next year's regatta.
by Rowan Simpson
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Manly, QLD
