Fresh from a close fourth overall in the Farr 40 One Design world championship in Denmark, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron member Ivan Wheen has continued his winning ways with his yacht Sputnik in Sydney over the weekend.
Sputnik, sailing in its first regatta since returning to Australia, scored two wins and a third place on the final day of the Savills 30th annual Short Ocean Racing Championship sailed on the Macquarie racing circle south-east of Sydney Heads.
Ivan Wheen collects his trophy
Sunday’s results, following a consistent 4-3-2 score on Saturday, gave Sputnik a total of 14 points, a two point margin from Farr 40 class stalwart Marcus Blackmore, helming Hooligan.
Blackmore is also a Squadron member, but was racing the burgee of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
Blackmore had led after day one with two wins and a second and scored a third win in race five. However, a last race sixth lost him a Savills SORC win.
Third overall place on 20 points, went to Transfusion, skippered by Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, also a Squadron member but racing in the regatta under the burgee of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, the host club.
Full results: www.mhyc.com.au/savills
The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron will host the Farr 40 OD Australian Championships from 22-24 February 2008 with racing off Sydney Heads.
On the Harbour
"There's a gap"
On Saturday, the RSYS fleet raced on a rather inclement day which saw the 20 knot south-easterly breeze ease away to 10-12 knots during the afternoon as the rain cleared. Despite the weather, the short inshore series day attracted larger fleets in all mixed divisions.
Division 1 had 13 starters and saw the first win of the Spring series for Ellipse, Brian Bergin’s Northshore 369. Ellipse sailed an excellent race in the fresher early breeze with Bergin and his crew picking the wind shifts well to finish third across the line and win on corrected time.
Two SIS boats filled the minor placings, with Crosshaven (Sean Rahilly and Justin Pelly) placing second and Bitter N Twisted (David Price) taking third place.
Ellipse catching Crosshaven down wind
Saturday’s Division 1 win by Ellipse was particularly pleasing for owner Brian Bergin, who is now confident the Northshore 359 is back to her best after a major race collision in February last year and some crew difficulties early this season due to work and study commitments.
“We had to have the standing and running rigging replaced as well as repairs to the hull which put us out of sailing for three months,” said Bergin, who bought the yacht new as a specific club racer five years ago.
“We had some good races during the winter and, more recently, in the Super division of the Edwards’ Wednesday afternoon racing – where competition if very keen.
“Last Saturday everything went well for us – we felt the full impact of having a complete and strong crew and the boat at her best.
“The freshest breeze we had was 17 knots on the spinnaker run down to Manly and the wind eased away during the afternoon.”
Bergin said the Northshore 369 had been designed and built specifically as a club racing yacht and 14 or 15 boats had been built, with a new one nearing completion by the present builders. “I believe the boat has lived up to the designer’s expectations,” he added.
With three races to sail in the Spring Series, Jackie Clare, Geoff & Debbie Davidson’s Beneteau 36.7 and Yandoo, John Formosa’s Mumm 30, are equal on 23 points after two discard races.
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