Race 11, the final race of the pointscore of the Audi Winter Series 2009, was a fast race once the predicated nor'westerly winds arrived. After a short delay in the start, due to lack of breeze, racing commenced at 11.35am for the Sydney 38 Division and 11.40am for all other divisions once the nor'westerly had begun to fill in. A fleet of 135 yachts made the start line with a full course being sailed on course B.
PRO John Hurley said that today's racing was quick and fast with the nor'westerly continuing to build throughout the day. “What started out as a grey old morning, with light showers turned out to be a picture perfect day. Once the predicated nor'westerly breeze filled in, we were able to get the fleet away after only a short delay. The Sydney 38 Division started in 4 knots and Divisions A-K started in 8-12 knots of breeze.”
“The breeze continued to build throughout the afternoon at times reaching 15-18 knots and yachts were able to get in long beats on the first lap of the course and nice reaching legs on the second lap,” concluded John.
In Division A, Stephen Ainsworth's Loki, a casual entrant for this race finished first, with Dick Cawse's Vanguard second and Michael Cranitch's Broomstick third. The third place in today's race has ensured Broomstick as the winner of Division A for the Audi Winter Series.
“It just goes to show how essential good crew work is. We have had some strong women in key positions on the boat throughout the season and the trust we have instilled in them has paid off,” said Michael Cranitch.
“Whilst I wasn't onboard today, the crew had a lot of fun and did everything right which got Broomstick around the course in tidy manner. I and the crew are very happy with our Series win,” concluded Michael.
In Division F, Robert Skol's Scarlett O'Hara finished first, with Les Goodridge's Erica J second and Greg Mason's Sine Wave third.
“It was great to be on water today and come up with the win. The boat has been undergoing some work throughout the winter series and we've only been able to race in three races as the work took longer than anticipated,” said Robert Skol
“We had a great race. We have an all girl crew who have been with the boat for 5 or 6 seasons and they were on fire today. The girls' timing and technique is what sets them apart from the guys – they are not necessarily as strong as the boys, but they are very in tune with the boat and know what's best and when they need to make things happen,” added Robert
“On the first lap, we had a little bit of luck on our side. As we were in the middle of the fleet we saw that some boats had fallen into a hole in the breeze, but we were able to avoid this and we manage to catch up and overtake others in our Division,” concluded Robert.
Les Goodridge's 60 year old Erica J was just pipped at the finish line by Scarlett O'Hara. “It was a good day for broad reaching – Erica J does not do shy kites. There was a good consistent breeze most of the time which helped us get the old girl around the course.”
In the Sydney 38 One Design Division Larki Missiris' Wild One finished first, with Gordon Ketelbey's Zen second and Geoff Bonus' Calibre third.
Other division winners included Gerard Kesby's Nocturne (Division B), Steve Trevillion's Online (Division C), Stephen Roach's Game Set (Division D), Matthew Fisher's Greengate (Division E), Burke, Carr & Cook's Mortgage Choice Rumba (Division G), Brett & Karen Pearce's Broulee (Division H), John & Ann Kirkjian's Lady Ann (Division J), and Herman Heiligers' Hubcap II (Division K)
For Full divisional results please log on to http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/2009/club/aws09/11RGrp1.htm
For provisional pointscores of Division A-K please log on to http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/2009/club/aws09/SGrp1.htm
For Sydney 38 One Design results please log on to http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/2009/club/awss38/11RGrp2.htm
For Sydney 38 One Design Handicap pointscore please log on to http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/2009/club/awss38/SGrp2.htm
German luxury carmaker, Audi, has achieved a record result for the first six months of 2009. Up more than 10% in a market that is decreasing by 16%, this record achievement follows on from 54 straight months of growth for the brand in Australia. Audi is now the fastest-growing premium carmaker in Australia.
In 2009, Audi celebrates its 100th birthday with centenary events being held around the world to mark the occasion. In Australia, Audi will celebrate its 100 years with the opening of the world's largest showroom, the Audi Lighthouse, at Victoria Park in Sydney.
Audi is also the largest sponsor of competitive yachting in Australia, and a major partner of the CYCA for key regattas including the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race and the Audi Winter Series. The company is also the principal sponsor of the CYCA's Youth Sailing Academy.
– Jennifer Crooks
