Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title - Day 2

Edake on day two of the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title © Craig Greenhill / Saltwater Images

Wired and the fleet on day two of the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title © Craig Greenhill / Saltwater Images

One point separates second to fifth

The Farr 40 fleet contesting the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title contended with the usual Saturday traffic on Sydney Harbour, weaving through club fleets and dodging power boats and large ferries on day two of the three-day series.

Guido Belgiorno-Nettis' Transfusion (NSW) continues to chisel out a handy lead, now 16 points clear of the nearest challengers, Lang Walker's Kokomo (NSW) and Jeff Carter's Edake (NSW), second and third on the ladder on level points, 29.

So far in the 2013-14 season Lloyd Clark and Andrew Hunn's Voodoo Chile (TAS) has grabbed the chalice. Transfusion's two firsts, a second and a third in today's four races is reminiscent of the consistency that carried them to victory last season, the national title the pinnacle.

Carter's Edake is making a play for second, the Corinthian crew matching the might of Walker's impressive team list, including double Olympic 470 gold medallist Malcolm Page, North Sails' Richie Allanson and John Flannery, among others.

The two Tasmanian Farr 40s are neck and neck in fourth and fifth, Voodoo Chile and Stephen Boyes' Wired on a score of 30 points apiece.

This means just one point separates second to fifth place.

Boyes employed Olympic 470 gold medallist Nathan Wilmot as tactician this season for his knowledge of Sydney Harbour, and to inject new energy into the crew.

"Racing in amongst all those boats is part of the atmosphere but also the reason we went for a local guy, he knows the pitfalls of the busy harbour," said Boyes this evening, Saturday 11th January, 2014.

"A couple of boats ended up doing penalty turns to keep their noses clean. There were quite a few red flags up but Nathan was able to pick our way through and we managed to keep out of trouble."

(l to r) Mal Page, Nathan Wilmot & Tom Slingsby on day two of the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title - photo © Craig Greenhill / Saltwater Images

A situation with a Manly ferry involving Voodoo Chile and Edake ended up in the protest room but was dismissed.

"Nathan's a very accomplished sailor all-round and he's breathed fresh air and brought more skill to our crew as we work towards the Tasmanian State Title and nationals in Hobart next month," Boyes added.

He also complimented the race management team, "The PRO Rod Ridley and his team did a terrific job of setting the courses. The course for the first race was similar to yesterday then we dropped back in the harbour into the ferry channels as the breeze shifted".

Boyes has been racing with the Farr 40 one-design fleet for eight years and thrives on the competition. He describes his loyal crew as "Just a bunch of guys who all have other jobs through the week and come together to sail on the weekend".

Tonight he and his crew and classmates were enjoying a summer evening dock party and BBQ at the host club, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, as guests of series sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management.

"Everyone is here enjoying the hospitality, which is something Aberdeen does extremely well," said Boyes. "They had a lot of happy guests out today."

Managing director of Aberdeen Asset Management Brett Jollie has become a friend to the Farr 40 clan and tonight he spoke of his guests' experience watching the action play-out courtside.

"Our guests had a ball, just a fantastic time on the harbour. Conditions were great and as always it was exciting, close and mixed up. It was good to see Transfusion finding the form they finished last season with. The other crews have a real challenge ahead," Jollie warned.

The day started with a light nor'easter which shifted to the NNE and built to 16 knots. Tomorrow's forecast is for variable 10 knot winds tending south easterly in the afternoon. Another four races are scheduled, the first due to get underway at 1100hrs, Sunday 12th January.

Results after Day 2: