Farr 40 World Championships at Chicago Yacht Club - Day 1
by Farr 40 Class Association 7 Oct 2018 09:08 BST
6-9 October 2018
2018 Farr 40 World Championships Day 1 © Ian Roman / Farr 40 Worlds 2018
Patience paid off for Day 1 of the Farr 40 World Championship Day 1 in Chicago, Illinois. After a brief shoreside postponement, the fleet headed out for steep waves and winds of 15-20knots. The northeast winds brought in the standard cooler air with storms threatening on the horizon.
Chicago Yacht Club's Leif Sigmond and Marcus Thymian's, Norboy, leads the Corinthian fleet only two points ahead of Gordon Ketelby's ZEN. Consistency has proven key for Norboy as they raced the season with the same crew for the NOOD, Mac, Verve and, now, Worlds. "I almost wish we weren't leading the Corinthian fleet after the first day; I think it makes it a little rougher," said Sigmond. "I think we can win these regattas by being consistent and not trying to knock the ball out of the park every time; we want some nice doubles and triples. We're just trying to get on base and score."
Alberto Rossi's Enfant Terrible set the tone early on Day One with a finish extending several lengths ahead of the fleet in Race One. "The fleet is so similar that the situation changes quickly," said Rossi. Unfortunately, in the second downwind of Race Three, a windward-leeward penalty with Plenty caused Enfant Terrible to tumble two points while the four-time World Champion moved into first.
Hometown favorite Helmut and Evan Jahn's Flash Gordon 6 was noticeably absent from the leaderboard, but made a comeback in Race Three of the day when they dialed in a solid start to take off with their first win and top three finish of the event. The move was much needed as they jumped from sixth to fourth in the standings tied at 16 points with fellow Chicagoan, Norboy.
The pre-worlds favorite, Wolfgang Schaefer's Struntje light was consistent throughout the day with significant gains on the downwinds. Their only downwind struggle was due to a shredded spinnaker in Race One, but after a quick sail change, they only lost one boat - Plenty. "Unfortunately, the winner of the pre-worlds event never wins the Worlds," noted Pre-Worlds winner, Schaefer. "This has been disproven only two or three times in fifteen years, but I promise you that we are working on it."
The Farr 40 Class would like to thank its 2018 World Championship sponsors Crowley's Yacht Yard, Quantum Sails and Chicago Yacht Club. Racing continues Sunday, October 7 at noon with similar conditions of 15-20 knots out of the northeast predicted which will be accompanied by 3-5 foot waves.
For more information and results from the 2018 Farr 40 World Championship, visit www.farr40worlds.com or see the full results
2018 Farr 40 World Championship Standings Day 1
1. Plenty, Alex Roepers - 6pts
2. Enfant Terrible, Alberto Rossi - 8pts
3. Struntje light, Wolfgang Schaefer - 9pts
4. Flash Gordon 6, Helmut & Evan Jahn - 16pts
5. Norboy, Leif Sigmond & Marcus Thymian - 16pts
6. ZEN, Gordon Ketelby - 17pts
7. Eagles Wings, John Gottwald - 22pts
8. Hot Lips, Chris Whitford - 26pts
9. Blade 2, Mick Schlens - 27pts
10. Edake, Jeff Carter - 27pts
11. Asterisk, Hasip Gencer - 28pts
12. Inferno, Philip Dowd - 34pts
13. Taipan, Lloyd Karzen - 38pts
14. Hooligan, Joel Carroll - 41pts
Update by Jennie Hughes
Edake Owner, Jeff Carter is the only Australian to win a Corinthian World Title (Sydney 2016) and with renowned tactician Jud Smith aboard, the crew are more determined than ever to win the Corinthian trophy. Carter's young crew have been sailing together for many years and whilst they are a little disappointed with today's score of tenth overall, there is plenty of time for the tables to turn.
Smith is a dual J70 World Champion, Etchell World Champion and Doyle Sail maker from Marblehead, Boston who has never sailed with the Edake crew before this week.
Carter chartered John Demourkas' Farr 40 named Grooverderci for this regatta, which won the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 Worlds held in Long Beach, California. With some fresh EDAKE black letters splashed on the hull, along with a pirate skull and crossbones flag on the forestay, it's hoped the boat will continue its winning streak.
Gordon Ketelbey chartered Bill Hover's Forty named Alinghi from Muskegon. The boat has been professionally maintained by a boat captain from New Zealand and the yacht is in great condition. Chicago is the Farr 40 Australian President's third world championships and after the first day of racing, Team Zen is in sixth place overall having scored a 4-9-4.
In relation to conditions for tomorrow, PRO John Busch said, "The sea state tomorrow will be larger than today with a predicted breeze of 14-17 knots from the N/NE for most of the day with a bit of light rain for the first start. We plan to get three races in tomorrow, so the Owners can get to the AGM and Owner's dinner."