20th February 2009
Peter Campbell
The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron this weekend is conducting the Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship, with Squadron member Lang Walker and his crew on Kokomo aiming for three championships in a row.
Kokomo will also be defending the title they have held for two years as winners of the Australian Farr 40 Circuit.
“Australia has a very competitive Farr 40 fleet and every regatta win is a credit to its team. We are looking forward to three days of close one design racing”, said Walker before racing was due to start today.
Challenging Kokomo will be eight other teams from New South Wales, Tasmania and New Zealand.
Current leader of the 2008-09 Australian Farr 40 Circuit, Guido Belgiorno Nettis, will be on a quest to hold his lead in the circuit with Transfusion and secure the Australian Champion title.He is also a Squadron member but will be competing under his Middle Harbour Yacht Club burgee.
Winner of last weekend’s Sprint Series, RSYS member Ivan Wheen’s Sputnik will have one of many Olympians as part of his crew with Sydney 2000 Gold Medallist Tom King on board as tactician.
Beijing Gold Medallist Malcolm Page will be sailing with Lisa and Martin Hill’s Estate Master along with fellow Beijing Olympian Nathan Outteridge (also a RSYS member) and Michael Blackburn who has a Laser Olympic medal to his name.
Six times Olympian Colin Beashel will be onboard Kokomo is his long held role as tactician and Beijing Olympian Tom Slingsby will be calling the shots for Transfusion.
The three days of racing from today through to Sunday are scheduled to take place on Sydney’Harbour and offshore on the waters off South Head and Macquarie Lighthouse.
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