Ed Psaltis (Midnight Rambler) was a class act on the water in Saturday’s Combined Clubs Summer Pennant winning Division One IRC, AMS and taking second in PHS on corrected time. The 1998 Sydney to Hobart winner and 2019 entrant kept the Sydney 36 steady in the gusty conditions and never looked out of control, with the boat kept under the rig the entire race.
The fleet started the day in soft north-westerly conditions from Castray but the forecast 25-knot cold front hit just before the Iron Pot and did not let up, with 30+ knot bullets shooting down the River Derwent as the fleet battled home.
The Division One fleet sailed a new course down to Clifton Beach, while all other divisions went around Betsey Island. The fleet battled a wind tunnel through the gap between Hope Beach and Betsey Island, but Derwent Sailing Squadron Sailing Manager Peter Watson noted the excellent seamanship in the difficult conditions. “We had three retirements overall, not due to gear damage but with skippers being prudent in the conditions, but the seamanship on display in the tricky conditions was great,” said Watson.
PHS results: Dr Who took first place from Midnight Rambler and Joint Custody (Alan Nelson) finished third, while Assagai (Chris Sheehan) retired from the race. Natelle Two (Glenn Roper) won Division Two from Wings Three (Peter Haros) and Southern Swordfish (Ian Stewart). Young One (N Mills/J Nibbs), took out Division Three from Serica (Charles Peacock) and Trouble (Mark Millhouse/Dave Willans). Innovator (Smith Aberle) won Division Four from Astrolabe (Peter Bosworth) and Camlet Way (Stephen Mannering), and Wayatih (Allan Morgan) retired from the race.
IRC results: Midnight Rambler (Ed Psaltis) took out Division One from Dr Who and Intrigue (Don Calvert). Natelle Two won Division Two from Wings Three (Peter Haros) and Rumbeat (Justin Barr). Division Three was won by Young Lion (Steve Chau) from Footloose (Stewart Geeves), while Groove (Wil Justo) retired from the race.
AMS Results: Midnight Rambler took out Division One from Intrigue and B&G Advantage (Jeff Cordell). Division Two was won by Southern Swordfish from 42 South (Mark Ballard) and Wings Three Division Three was won by Young Lion (Steve Chau) from another Young 88, Young One and Footloose.
Division 1 results are provisional with two protests pending.
The fleet takes a break from the Combined Club Summer Pennant Series next week with several teams participating in the Tasmanian Yachting Championship which will be sailed in Hobart from the Derwent Sailing Squadron on 30 November and 1 December 2019.
The Tasmanian Yachting Championship is a leadup event to the Australian Yachting Championship which is sailed in Hobart from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania from 3-5 January 2020.
– Jane Austin
