The Australian Farr 40 class is the strongest among the international fleet in the world and all the major players are coming out of the stalls for this weekend’s Farr 40 NSW State Title hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club at The Spit.
A season record nine boats have remnant south-west to southerly winds up to 13 knots to look forward to offshore on Saturday February 3. Lighter winds are forecast out of the south-east on Sunday when the class does its best work inshore under the guidance of MHYC race officer, Phil Yeomans, and his talented team.
Class president and competing owner (Zen) Gordon Ketelbey said, “There’s been a big commitment this season from a core owner’s group. My thanks in particular to the two Victorian teams, Double Black and Nutcracker, and Joe de Kock from Newcastle for travelling to the Sydney regattas to compete.
“We are very excited about this weekend’s turnout and having the full complement of active boats on one start line. Like always with this fleet, you blink and you’ll miss out!”
Jeff Carter’s Edake (MHYC) is the form Farr 40 having triumphed at the previous two one design pointscore regattas, in Newcastle last December and out of MHYC in January.
Newcomers Alan and Tom Quick’s Outlaw made their mark early, taking the opening series outright, but since then the class stalwarts have thwarted a repeat of Outlaw’s early success.
“At Newcastle it was The Empire Strikes back, a very tough couple of days,” Tom Quick said. “This weekend we’ve got a good crew locked in with David ‘Chappo’ Chapman calling tactics and Alby Pratt on jib and kite trim. We’ve mixed things up. Our aim was to be serious for the states and the nationals, and we should be on the money with our speed.”
Reflecting on Outlaw’s season so far Quick added: “Finding constant crew has been challenging, though in saying that I’ve also enjoyed sailing with different people. Having dad (Alan) steer the boat for some races has been a great experience.”
List of entries for the Farr 40 NSW State Title:
1. Double Black – Rob Pitts, Sandringham Yacht Club and MHYC
2. Estate Master – Martin Hill, MHYC
3. Edake – Jeff Carter, MHYC
4. Exile – Rob Reynolds, MHYC
5. Forty – Sam Hill, RSYS
6. Good Form – Joe de Kock, Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
7. Nutcracker – Rob Davis and Andy Baker, SYC
8. Outlaw – Alan and Tom Quick, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
9. Zen – Gordon Ketelbey, MHYC
Racing is due to commence offshore at 1100hrs this Saturday, and the same start time is planned for Sunday’s Harbour racing with up to four races per day the goal. Saturday evening all crews will enjoy a catered party at the host club. On Sunday afternoon, soon after racing finishes, the winners will collect their spoils at the trophy presentation.
Results will be posted after each race at http://www.farr40.asn.au/results/
The NSW title is the prelude to the season-ending Farr 40 National Championship: John Calvert-Jones Trophy the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron will conduct over three days, March 17-19, 2018.
The Australian Farr 40 Association thanks its 2017-18 season supporters: Hacer Group, Hill PDA, Walker Corporation
Lisa Ratcliff/Australian Farr 40 media
