Marcus Blackmore takes Farr 40 class in Ord Minnett Regatta

by Peter Campbell on 3 Dec 2000 3 December 2000

BLACKMORE TAKES FARR 40 OD CLASS IN ORD MINNETT REGATTA

Australian champion Marcus Blackmore sailed above his expectations in winning the Farr 40 One Design division of the prestigious Ord Minnett Regatta off Sydney Heads today.

After a first and a second yesterday at the helm of his boat, Emotional Hooligan, the wellknown Sydney yachtsman outsailed the fleet to win two more races today in the highly competitive 'owner-driver' fleet.

With a final five points on the leader board he comfortable beat his nearest rivals, with world champion John Calvert-Jones from Melbourne placing second with Southern Star on 11 points, third going to class newcomer Simon Whiston, sailing Smile, on 21 points, just one point ahead of his brother Neill, steering Fruit Machine.

'After hard-fought races yesterday for a second and a win, I never thought I could notch up two more wins in this classy fleet,' Blackmore said at the end of the regatta.

'I think the real difference was in having Mark Richard aboard as tactician.

'Mark has done a lot of one-design racing on the international circuit with Peter Gilmour, as well as some ocean racing on my previous boats and we understand each other well,' Blackmore added.

Blackmore said the key to success in the Ord Minnett Regatta with the short windward/leeward courses was in getting good starts in clear air. 'We made a port-hand start in the last race and crossed the fleet,' he recalled.

Blackmore will defend his Farr 40 One Design Australian title as part of the Telstra Cup from December 13-17.

'We expect 16, possibly 17 boats on the line, including American Philippe Kahn who now has a Farr 40 in Australia.'

Racing today on the Farr 40 OD course was one hour 40 minutes late in starting, as race officials waited for the nor'easter to fill in and settle. There were then two general recalls with the outcome being four boats 'black-flagged' as premature starters.

Final placings:

1. Emotional Hooligan (Marcus Blackmore, NSW) 2-1-1-1, 5 points.
2. Southern Star 2 (John Calvert-Jones, Vic) 1-2-3-5, 11 points
3. Smile (Simon Whiston, NSW) 8-3-2-8, 21 points.
4. Fruit Machine (Neill Whiston, NSW) 5-6-5-6, 22 points.
5. Leroy Brown (Warren Wieckman, NSW) 4-13-4-2.

Fleet: 15

Further information:

email - peter_Campbell@bigpond.com