Eight Farr 40’s headed offshore to the Manly Circle for the first race of the NSW Championship, and with uncomfortably lumpy conditions and only 5 knots, PRO Steve Tucker quickly moved the fleet back inside Sydney Harbour for the next three race.
On the course started from Clifton Gardens and went down to Watsons Bay, Jeff Carter’s Edake was sitting one point ahead of Tom Quick until Race 4, when Outlaw pulled another win out of the bag taking them right back where they’ve been all season, regatta leader.
Anyone who knows Farr 40 racing understands that consistency is the key and Edake’s scores of 3-3-3-3 puts them just one point behind Outlaw in second place overall.
Enjoying the regatta after party on Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s beach, Jeff Carter reflected on today’s results, “We were very happy with our consistency. On a couple of races we were pretty deep but were able to work our way back through the pack,” he said.
“It was difficult in the first race, with under 6 knots, but the person who excelled in such light and difficult conditions was Joe de Kock and the Good Form crew.”
On the close racing and results Carter continued, “This just goes to show how exemplary the performance of the owners in Farr 40 racing really is. If you look at the top four or five boats, the difference is very little and everyone had their chance. It was critical to get a good start and be able to go where you wanted after the start.”
Joe de Kock and the Good From crew, with Ben Lamb, calling the shots, started the day on a high winning the first race offshore. And as is common in Farr 40 racing, went from first to last in two races.
“We came first once and last twice,” De Kock said. “We prefer to be offshore because our experience is offshore.
“I feel like I have a challenge offshore, but inshore it’s more up to the crew.” On tomorrow’s racing, de Kock sighed, “We had a crappy day today and are hoping for a better one tomorrow. However, a few beers help me look back on the day more fondly.”
Rob Reynolds and the Exile crew are peaking right on schedule, and with two second places today resulting in third place overall, the team is aiming to be on the podium tomorrow afternoon. All owners, tacticians, the Race Committee, boat captains, volunteers and crew enjoyed a party on the pretty beach at MHYC compliments of Reynolds, Farr 40 Party Director extraordinaire.
Results: http://www.farr40.asn.au/results/
