“The best sailors in the race – the ones that win on handicap”
Congratulations to skipper John Mulkearns and his crew aboard Gameset placing 1st on handicap, 2014 Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and Rally in the racing monohull (IRC) division – “the best sailors in the race, the ones that won on handicap”.
Gameset and John have an impressive race record with 1st on handicap in 2014. 2nd on handicap in 2013 and 2012 and again 1st on handicap in 2011!
The race starts east of Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin Harbour to the finish line at the village of Amahusu, Ambon Harbour, approx. 3°43’S and 128°08’E, a distance of approximately 634 nautical miles, 355⁰ true from Darwin. The south-easterly trade winds provide a wonderful spinnaker run, while the tropical waters and magnificent archipelago provide a spectacular place to challenge yourself against your rivals – a blue water classic with champagne sailing.
John bought Gameset, in 2010 as a competitive Bavaria 38 Match in Sydney. It arrived in Darwin in 2010, where John has lived for 34 years and he raced Gameset at Hamilton Island Race Week. In 2011, Darwin’s Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association (DBCYA) introduced the IRC division to the Ambon race due to demand from some of the local skippers. John and his crew eagerly responded wanting to prove their skills and the boat and have sailed every race since with great results.
1st on Handicap Gameset, Skipper John Mulkearns. Corrected time 81:44:07
2nd on Handicap Australian Maid, Skipper Jon Wardill. Corrected time 84:08:03
3rd on Handicap Antipodes, Skipper Geoff Hill. Corrected time 84:51:27
4th on Handicap Even Karma, Skipper John Hardy. Corrected time 86:15:22
The Darwin to Ambon yacht race and rally organisers would like to extend a warm invitation to all interested yachties, national and international, racing and cruising, monohull and multihull, sail or motor vessels, returning and new skippers, crew, spectators and supporters to participate in the 31st Darwin to Ambon yacht race and rally.
This year’s race start is at 1100hrs, 5th September 2015.
