Rolex Farr 40 Pre-Worlds in California - Day 1
by Di Pearson 21 Sep 2015 13:25 BST
20-22 September 2015
Rolex Farr 40 Pre-Worlds day 1 © Andrew Palfrey
Martin Hill and his Estate Master crew got off on the right foot in their bid for the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 World Championship title, leaving the race course of the Pre-Worlds in Long Beach California in third place overall today.
On the first day of the Pre-Worlds, Estate Master, the only Australian entry vying for the Championship, finished the day six places behind the leader and defending world champion, Alex Roeper's US entry, Plenty, and just two away from the German entry, Struntje light (Wolfgang Schaeffer).
Three races were held on Day 1 of the two-day event and Estate Master, representing Middle Harbour Yacht Club and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, pulled out fifth and seventh places before finishing the day off with a second place.
"It was a good day for us," Hill confirmed. "Racing was very close," he said.
"We were particularly pleased with the third race, sailing in 14 knots. We were able to extend away from Plenty," he said of their best result of the day, acknowledging they are reserving their new sails for the Worlds.
As predicted, the right side of the course was favoured in the 12-14 knot breeze but there were few passing lanes on a very warm day in Long Beach.
"Estate Master felt comfortable. We held our lane with good speed and height," a pleased Hill said, reminding himself, "The simple lesson is, win the start, hike hard and get the shift right. Sail as you train – and that's what we were doing today – and trying to minimise our mistakes."
Estate Master finished all races well up, while 2013 Farr 40 world champion, Alberto Rossi's Enfante Terrible from Italy, which won Race 3, but faltered in Races 1 and 2 with sixth and ninth places respectively, for fourth overall.
US entry Insanity (Rick Goebel) won Race 2, but was OCS in Race 1, while Helmut Jahn's Flash Gordon 6 (USA) won the first race, but retired from Race 3. It was a costly day for them.
Racing finishes at the Pre-Worlds tomorrow. There is a one-day break before the start of the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds, to be held from 24-27 September, when the Hills, who finished runners-up at the 2014 Worlds, will vie for the world crown.
Estate Master is one of 17 boats from six nations entered for the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds and Pre-Worlds which are being hosted by the Long Beach Yacht Club.
All information and results will be posted to farr40worlds.com