Ray “Rock” Stone is a happy man today after taking out the 2007 Sydney 32OD National Championships on Sydney Harbour.
Sailed as a four day twilight series, with two races per night, out of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron these Nationals attracted eight competitors.
On the first day the winds did blow and Ray showed his experience keeping his boat and crew together and recording two thirds. However Who’z Nutz (Chris Way, RPAYC) sailing with the core of his S38OD Team and Martin & Anna Cross sailing If (RPAYC) were tied with a first and second each.
It’s all about consistency in a no drops series though and the next day Ray stayed away from the temptations of the Melbourne Cup and posted a first and Third. Who’z Nutz obviously didn’t follow Ray’s sage example and didn’t have the best day of it (hic) and moved behind Razors Edge and If who had a 1 & 5. The boat of the day was Wirrajurnd (Andy Kearnan and Peter Whitford) who got two seconds, one of them by the narrowest of margins - something to do with a bee’s reproductive organs.
Razors Edge follows Quickie around the windward mark
Again, the model of consistency on the third day and Razors Edge had a 2 & 3 while If looked good with a second but then OCS’d. Who’z Nutz improved, a little, to get a fourth and fifth, but the Boat of the Day was Class President John Groves on Reality (RPAYC) with an emphatic 1 & 1 and the quote – “perhaps we’ve peaked a little late lads”.
Into the last day and four boats (If, Who’z Nuts, Razors Edge and Reality) were a mathematical possibility, the only way Chris could get the title was to win two races and for everybody else to do poorly. He did win both races on the day which was an excellent result on a track that had no real consistency. However – Mr Reliable, Ray Stone, after blinking in the first race with a seventh, came home with a second - enough to win the series. Last years Champion, Quickie (Muirhead/Caldwell/Kench, CYCA) finished well with two thirds on the last day and If kept on the podium with a second and fourth.
In the end, there was one point each from first to fourth – very close and very exciting racing. On accepting his Trophies and Line 7 Jacket an ebullient Stone told the room he had recently turned 70 “ and you are all going to have to try pretty hard to catch me” … the sly fox. Chris Way congratulated his long term crew and credited them with their success. He spoke highly of the camaraderie in the 32 Class and hoped that both the 32’s and 38’s would do more racing together in the future as “we are all really part of the same family”.
Groove leading If at the mark
Hugh Torode, sailing Groove, picked up the Most Improved prize from Sydney Yachts and thanked them for their support.
This was the first joint event between the 32’s and 38’s and both Class Presidents have spoken about making these a more regular feature of each other Calendars.
The Squadron are to be congratulated for running a good series and, as always, are excellent hosts at their fine club.
Simon Reffold, On behalf of the Sydney 32 Fleet. Results
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