Festival of Sails rates highly for grand prix contenders
by Lisa Ratcliff 7 Jan 2016 21:13 GMT
22-26 January 2016
Patrice at the 2014 Festival of Sails © Guido Brandt
A couple of Rolex Sydney Hobart retirements who thought they were making their way to Geelong via Hobart town are still on track to be part of the grand prix Rating Series at the Festival of Sails later this month.
Tony Kirby's Sydney based 46-footer Patrice and Terry Posma's West Australian based 39-footer Jaffa both withdrew from the tough bluewater classic race, Patrice with mainsail damage and Jaffa with engine troubles.
"We have our regatta mainsail ready and we are coming back with vengeance at Geelong," Kirby promises. He's fired up for two reasons; one his cut-short Hobart and the other is the chance to meet up again with Rob Date's racy red 52-footer, Scarlet Runner.
The pair went toe-to-toe in the 2014 Sydney Hobart and finished first and second in IRC division 1 at the end of 628 nautical miles, Patrice the better boat on the day. The two crews keenly await the chance to meet again at the Festival of Sails presented by Rex Gorell Land Rover, January 22–26, 2016.
With many more regatta and bluewater miles added to the boat's log since Patrice's one and only Festival appearance, the skipper and his Melbourne contingent are eager for a second go. Matt Johns, who looked after the former Victorian based Living Doll and now lives in Queensland, and local guru, sailing master Barney Walker, will be part of Kirby's southern effort to put right some some unfinished business.
"We came to Geelong two years ago when the boat was brand new and finished second in IRC division 1. We've come a long way since then," Kirby warns his challengers. On the location he added: "Geelong is a great racing location with good breezes and smooth water sailing on a very fair racetrack. We really enjoy the carnival feel on the waterfront; the event's come a long way."
Last night South Australian yachtsman Geoff Boettcher added his TP52 Secret Mens Business to the Rating Series list and two Farr 40s are recent additions. Steven Richardson's F40 Local Mocean will sail for the host Royal Geelong Yacht Club and Andy Baker and Rob Davis' Nutcracker II is a new partnership and purchase for the Sandringham Yacht Club members across the bay.
Davis once owned a Farr 30 and he and Baker as his crew enjoyed the choice between the one design format and handicap club racing. Given there is talk of a Sydney Hobart Race in the future they needed a bigger offshore boat and the Farr 40 met their criteria at a reasonable cost.
The pair had Nutcracker II completely refitted for relaunch last June. The crew is still settling in making the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship in Sydney next month unrealistic, however Baker says the desire to compete internationally in a few years' time, either in Australia or overseas, is there.
"The Farr 40 had a lot of appeal given its been around for so long and is still popular thanks to a really strong association with well organised events," Baker said. "We look forward to meeting and racing against the other Victorian crew at Geelong. It will be handy to go up against another Farr 40, to gauge where we are at."
The Rating Series, incorporating the IRC and AMS Victorian state titles, is one of the 11 divisions covering multihulls, cruising, classic, performance racing, two one design state championships and more options open to eligible boat owners.
Festival of Sails entries close Friday January 15 and after this date a late fee will apply. Enter here.
Entries stand at 195 and the milestone of 200 boats is only days away.
All information relating to the 173rd edition of the historic regatta is on the website www.festivalofsails.com.au