The Victorian fleet of ten active Sydney 38’s enjoyed a number of regattas during 2011 / 2012 and the 2012 / 2013 season is set to be more competitive and exciting than ever before! We have introduced a more comprehensive summer aggregate to complement the regular ‘Sunday Morning Sprints’ with participation levels at 90%. Competition is extremely tough and Lou Abraham’s “Challenge” no longer dominates the racing. Ian Murray’s “Cinquante” crew regularly make their way up from Geelong and have been rewarded by currently leading the summer aggregate series. “Clockwork” owned by Gordon Mather and Frank McDermott is also sailing well and winning races. “Audacious” owned by Greg Clinnick and Paul Holden as well as “Chutzpah38” skippered by Bruce Taylor are also prominent.
2011 /2012 Highlights
1 Victorian Championships
The 2012 North Sails Victorian Championship was hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club on the weekend of 21st and 22nd of April. The racing was sailed in a variety of testing conditions ranging from a drifter to 25 knots. The ten competitors enjoyed close racing in a no drops series. “Challenge” owned by the 85 year old legend, Lou Abrahams and helmed by the very talented Mark Bulka won the series by a convincing 13 points from Sierra Chainsaw (The Mollison family) which also won the Corinthian division.
2 Morris Finance 2012 Pre Season Regatta
The Morris Finance Regatta was held at Royal Geelong Yacht Club over the weekend of 15th and 16th September. The Series was won on a count back by “Cinquante” skippered by the local and sponsor Ian Murray from Lou Abrahams “Challenge”. The seven race series was sailed in predominately light and testing conditions. “Clockwork” (Gordon Mather and Frank McDermontt) sailed consistently on both days and did well to finish third overall and won the Corinthian division.
3 Winter Series
The eight race winter series was won by Challenge with a perfect score from Audacious and Chutzpah38. This was the first One Design series held over winter and proved popular an average of eight starters each day. Race days were scheduled one day a month in lieu of the ORCV Winter series held fortnightly. The series was a success and based on feedback may be held once every three weeks next year.
2012 / 2013 The Season So Far
1 Lipton Cup
One Design Racing was on display for the first time at the Lipton Cup. Usually a two day handicap event, the RYCV accommodated the needs of the 38 fleet by hosting a three race scratch event on the Saturday of the regatta in November. Whilst race one was marred by an individual recall which affected all but one boat in the fleet, racing was typically close. “Cinquante” was the boat of the day with “Clockwork” also having a good regatta to finish second. “Challenge”, after a poor first race, fought back with a 1st and a 2nd. A good fleet of 9 Sydney 38s took part in the regatta.
2 Summer Aggregate
As an incentive for owners to participate more and to keep interest levels high the summer aggregate has been extended to include more than the Sunday morning sprint series. Races such as the Lipton Cup, Sail Melbourne and Club events have been included this season. Based on the support thus far the format has been well received. Unsurprising, it would appear One Design racing is alive and well. After 8 races, “Cinquante” and “Challenge” lead with 13 points from “Audacious” not far behind.
3 Club Marine Series
Whilst not a scratch event, it is interesting to note that Sydney 38’s dominate the leader board after 3 races. Whilst a well sailed and rated Beneta 45 is leading the series, ,“Clockwork” is second, “Audacious” is third, 38 Degrees South is fourth and “Chutzpah38”fifth. “Audacious”, “Chutzpah38” and “38 Degrees South” (John Chatham) have all won a heat. This series is the feature event of the IRC summer calendar in Victoria and the results to date reflect the competitiveness of the class.
4 Festival Of Sail
Planning is well under way for this regatta scheduled between 25th to the 27th of January 2013. With interstate entries expected from “Zen” (Gordon Ketelbey, NSW) and “Shining Sea” (Andrew Corletto, SA) a big fleet of 13 boats should make for a great regatta. In order to accommodate a request from RGYC, the passage race from Melbourne to Geelong will be included in the seven race series with a provision for one drop. Again, Ian Murray “Cinquante” has agreed to sponsor the event through his company “Morris Finance” and the Southern Chapter very much appreciates his on going commitment to the class.
SUMMARY
The Sydney 38 fleet in Melbourne is very healthy, participation levels are high and the standard of racing has improved. The addition of “Playground” (Andrew Robinson) and “Adrenalin” (Ian Beer and Andrew Molnar) have not only increased our numbers but improved the competition. “Cinquante”, no doubt is the big improver and along with “Clockwork” demonstrates that success can be achieved with perseverance and effort. We also look forward to seeing Andrew Mollison helming “Sierra Chainsaw” again after recovering from serious injury.
The proposal to introduce the masthead spinnaker as the standard configuration has been the subject of much debate in Victoria and opinions are divided. Owners have been encouraged to vote by submitting their proxies at the AGM.
Rowan Simpson,
Secretary,
Southern Chapter.