2015 FESTIVAL OF SAILS
An excellent fleet of 10 Sydney 38’s participated in the Festival Of Sails hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club over the Australia Day weekend. The three day regatta made up of 8 windward leeward races was again highlighted by close racing, extreme weather conditions and a strong performance from the local boat, ‘Phoenix ‘ which dominated the racing. The additional of ‘Slipknot’ from South Australia added an interstate flavour to the regatta. The fact that we had our own race course, internationally qualified race management team and our own sponsor, Morris Finance also set us apart from the other fleets and we are grateful for those benefits. There are very few One Design keelboat classes that can boast those standards at the local level. It was also great to see the late Lou Abrahams ‘Challenge’ competing for the first time under a new owner ship.
Day 1.
Conditions were ideal with a building sea breeze peaking at 20 knots. With 2 first placings and a second, ‘Phoenix’ (Brenton and Jen Carnel) dominated the day with great speed, tactics and consistency. The boat looked great through the water and the crew work set the standard for the regatta. However, ‘Audacious’, (Class President Greg Clinnick and Paul Holden) won the other race and looked threatening. ‘Sierra Chainsaw’ (Mollison family) and ‘Playground’ Andrew Robinson were also on the pace. ‘Chutzpah38’ (Bruce Taylor) was seen during turns after running into the back of Sierra at a leeward mark! Overall, it was a very good day on the water.
In the evening, thanks to Jen Carnell, crews enjoyed a great social function at “The Edge” on the Corio Bay foreshore where crews had the opportunity to mingle and talk about the day’s racing.
Day 2
Very light conditions contributed to a general recall and different winners. ‘Phoenix’ struggled more so in the light but ended the day with another first when the wind filled for the last race. However, in the first race of the day when the wind was light and shifting to the left, ‘Playground’ scorched the fleet with a fine win. The second race was won by ‘Chutzpah38’. ‘Audacious’ moved up the ladder with two second places and a third.
After two days of racing, the form guide suggested that ‘Phoenix’ was best in a breeze, largely due their very strong crew work. (The crew swing harder!). ‘Playground’ was quick in the light, ‘Sierra’ was brilliant at times but lacked consistency. ‘Audacious’ was fast and consistent and ‘Chutzpah38’ was coming to terms with some new crew!
Day 3
Whilst only two races were scheduled, this was by far the most testing racing with gusts exceeding 30 knots. After a number of postponements, one to allow ‘Slipknot’ to rerig after a broken main halyard, racing finally got away with a somewhat diminished fleet.
‘Sierra’ picked the port end and was well clear at the top mark only to broach on the downwind leg to give up the lead to ‘Chutzpah38’ .
However, ‘Audacious’ powered upwind to overtake her and to go on to win comfortably with ‘Phoenix’, after also recovering from a broach, finishing third.
The final race saw “Chutzpah38’ recalled at the start, a costly error in those conditions and ‘Phoenix’ hold off a fast finishing Sierra to make it four wins for the regatta! The consistent ‘Audacious’ was challenged by ‘Chutzpah38’ but sailed her best series for some time to finish second overall and to take out the Corinthian Trophy. ‘Mille Sabords’ (Stephane Howard) and ‘Slipknot’ (Sebastion Bohm) did very well to finish both races close to the leaders.
With a number of Victorian Sydney 38’s entered for the Nationals to be held at Pittwater latter this month, the regatta was a great rehearsal. ‘Phoenix’ has the form and pedigree (Ex London Tavern) to do well, ‘Audacious’ is quick and more consistent whilst ‘Chutzpah38’ has room for improvement! Great to see ‘Challenge’ (Chris Mrakas) keen to improve and gain more experience. All should represent the Southern Chapter well. It is a major effort to travel interstate so we wish all crews every success in the series.
A very big thanks to Ian Murray and his company Morris Finance for his continued sponsorship of the class, to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club for accommodating our requirements and running a great regatta, to Jen Carnell for organizing the social function and to Sebastian Bohm and his Slipknot crew for making the long journey from South Australia to support the event.