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3rd January 2009
By Peter Campbell
Tasmanian yachtsman Nick Rogers has opened his campaign to win his ninth Prince Philip Cup for the International Dragon class with a resounding win today in the Martin Graney Memorial Trophy.
Rogers, skippering his recently launched boat Karabos IX, came through the two-day match racing series unbeaten in nine flights, scoring a comfortable 3-0 victory over veteran Sydney yachtsman Gordon Ingate, skippering Whim, in the final on Sydney Harbour.
Fellow Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania member Andrew Crisp, sailing Kirribilli II, won the petit-final, with a 2-0 win over West Australian Sandy Anderson, sailing Sassafrass.
Twelve months ago, on Hobart’s Derwent River, Rogers sailed as mainsheet trimmer and tactician for Ingate, giving the veteran former Olympic, America’s Cup and Admiral’s Cup yachtsman his first Prince Philip Cup win.
For Rogers, a former World Champion in the Dragon class, that success was his eighth as a helmsman or crew in the prestigious Prince Philip Cup, the Dragon Australasian Championship.
This year, Rogers and Ingate are in opposing boats with different crews, and Rogers’ win in the Martin Graney Memorial augers well for his prospects of a ninth win in the Prince Philip Cup, a seven heat series that starts on the Harbour on Monday.
His skill in match racing against the wily Ingate also enhances his chances of regaining for the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania the historic Sayonara Cup from Sydney’s Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club.
This match racing event will be held following the Prince Philip Cup, with Sydney yachtsman Sean Kirkjian the defending helmsman.
Two Russians skippers and their crews will join 22 other competitors from New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Great Britain and New Zealand in the Prince Philip Cup, a fleet racing event.
The two Russians boats are Murka 3, skippered by Mikhail Muratov, and Murka 9, with Olga White on the helm.
Current International Dragon class president Robert Campbell will be on the helm of Toogara, with owner Robert moving to the mainsheet position, while New Zealand will be represented by Scott Palmer, sailing Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Returning to the Dragon class is prominent Etchells skipper Matt Whitnall, helming the extensively overhauled Taranui.
Of the 24 entries for the Prince Philip Cup, four are from Victoria, three from Western Australia and two from Tasmania while 11 boats will be representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and NSW.
A final lead-up event tomorrow will be the three heat fleet racing series for the Ted Albert Trophy and Charles E Davies Memorial Trophy on Sunday.
Further information:Peter Campbell – 0419 385 028 or email – peter_campbell@bigond.com
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