Sydney 40 World Championships Preview

THE WORLD'S BEST FOR THE INAUGURAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:

Some of the world's best skippers and crew will contest the inaugural "Race 1 Sydney 40 World Championships", off Cowes, Isle of Wight, starting Thursday 1st July 1999.

Well known names amongst the crews include triple Olympic medallist Rodney Pattisson, a Briton who is sailing on the Australian boat Sledgehammer.

Also on this boat is Australia's Grant Simmer, an America's Cup winning navigator, who on this occasion is tactician on the boat owned by Ron Jones.

The American entry, Blue Yankee, will be steered by Olympic medallist Steve Benjamin, who also has three world championships to his credit, and he will be assisted by English Whitbread race sailor Adrian Stead.

Germany's M.K. Cafe will be steered by Markus Wieser, with the crew including Australians Michael Coxon and Adrienne Cahalan plus Kiwis Mark Christenson and Kelvin Harrap.

The afterguard on England's Arbitrator includes Chris Law, the only helmsman to win the Sydney/Hobart race and the Fastnet race in the same year.

The Italians, sailing Invicta, have another Olympic medallist in their crew, Spaniard Jordi Calafat, while Paolo Cian is currently ranked third in the Soling class world rankings.

Sailing on the European entry, Merit Cup, is tactician from the America's Cup winning Team New Zealand, Murray Jones, and he is joined by navigator Mark Chisnell.

Trust Computer Products, which represents the Netherlands, includes in its crew, Whitbread sailor Erle Williams of New Zealand, and Australia's Andrew Cape, who is fresh from a victory in the Mini Fastnet race.

The eighth entry, Turbo UK, is sailing for the Commonwealth, and has Britain's Jonty Sherwill at the helm, while the up-and-coming young Ben Vines is the tactician on the team.

All these crews will go on to represent their country or region in the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup, which starts in Cowes on 14th July, and is regarded as the world championship of offshore racing.

The only team that will sail in the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup, but is not contesting this championship, are the French, whose new sails could not be completed in time.

The Sydney 40, built by Bashford International in Australia, was selected against strong competition from around the world, as the middle sized boat for the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup, where teams are made up of three boats.

Designed by the Murray, Burns and Dovell team in Sydney, the Sydney 40 has already had a string of racing successes, and demand worldwide has been strong, with the eighteenth hull currently nearing completion at the factory.

Commenting on the design, Bashford International chairman Charles Curran said today, "The Royal Ocean Racing Club's requirement was for a boat that was challenging to sail, and I think we are going to see some very exciting sailing in this championship".

The championship, which consists of seven races, is sponsored by the British company, Race 1, a new organisation in boat management and chartering, at the competitive end of the market.

LIST OF ENTRIES:

Sail     Yacht             Nat          Owner
GBR4099L Arbitrator        U.K.         S.Bailey
USA25    Blue Yankee Pride U.S.A.       F. Towse
GER4904  MK Cafe           Germany      A. Friese
AUS5785  Sledgehammer      Australia    R. Jones
NED523   Trust Computers   Holland      J. Visser
GBR9940T Turbo UK          Commonwealth D. Walters
ITA13757 Breeze 2          Italy        M. Mezzaroma
EUR2     Merit Cup         Europe       M. Greggio

SCHEDULE OF RACES:

Thursday 1st July - 2 x Solent inshores     start 10.30 
Friday   2nd July - 2 x Solent inshores     start 10.30
Saturday 3rd July - 1 x Solent long inshore start 10.30
Sunday   4th July - 2 x Solent inshores     start 10.30

Further Information:

On the regatta:
John Roberson:
Tel: 01983 295144
e-mail: robo_bandana@compuserve.com

On the Sydney 40:
Louise Bashford:
Tel: +61 (0)2 9979 8044
Website:

On Race 1:
Jonny Falkner: Tel: 01243 573333
e-mail: sydney40@race1.demon.co.uk

THIS CHAMPIONSHIP IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY:

Bashford International
Jacobs Creek Wines