WOW Cap Istanbul: Gildas Morvan Wins a Decisive Leg

Some legs have more weight than others. You can't tell that in the beginning, but the process makes it clear. Bozcaada leg showed that it was the leg that untied the knot of WOW Cap Istanbul. Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) reasserted his dominance over the race by winning this leg and strengthened his chance to be the champion of the French Open Sea Solo Championship

Certaines étapes comptent plus que d'autres. Celle entre Didim et Bozcaada marquera peut-être un tournant crucial dans le dénouement de la WOW Cap Istanbul : en emportant l'étape, Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) reprend de manière éclatante le contrôle de la course et se repositionne pour un titre de Champion de France de Course au Large en Solitaire. Jeanne Grégoire (Banque Populaire) accède enfin pour la première fois en huit ans à un podium d'étape et brise la malédiction. Fabien Delahaye (Port de Caen Ouistreham) confirme chaque jour son talent, tandis que François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010) reste déterminé à se battre jusqu'au bout


Cercle Vert arrives in Bozcaada. Image copyright Jacques Vapillon/www.jacquesvapillon.com

by Marie Le Berrigaud-Perochon

Jeanne Grégoire (Banque Populaire) broke her chain of bad luck by getting on the podium after 8 years. While Fabien Delahaye (Port de Caen Ouistreham) brought forth his talent once again, François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010) showed his determination that he will fight no matter what.

Gildas Morvan may have felt worried about the young generation's consistent appearances on the podium. But experience and expertise prove their worth under chaotic circumstances like this. The great ones can escape the toughest situations with the slightest maneuver. Winning a major victory at a leg which was a nightmare for all the sailors, the skipper of Cercle Vert virtually gave a message to his followers: "Keep believing in me.”

During the early hours of the night, a few miles before reaching Bozcaada, the wind died down altogether. Gildas relied on the rare light breeze in the air which he masterfully used to his advantage and opened the gap between him and his rivals. Right behind him was Jeanne Grégoire who was ready to put in everything she got to get on the podium after 8 years of racing in Figaro Bénéteau class.

Coming in second place, the skipper of Banque Populaire felt such intense joy and pride in getting finally recognised for her talents that she couldn't even speak. Fabien Delahaye (Port de Caen Ouistreham) on the other hand is enjoying his second time on the podium after coming in third place. His achievement at this leg also reinforced his second place in the general ranking.

The general ranking is turned upside down


The first three skippers to reach Bozcaada. Image copyright Jacques Vapillon/www.jacquesvapillon.com

Didim-Bozcaada wasn't the brightest leg for the two Macif sponsored boats. First it was Eric Péron (Skipper Macif 2009) who lowered his ranking when struggling with his storm jib that popped out of its tap. François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010) also had a tough time when the pump of his wing tank stopped working. He drained his energy and lost a lot of time while he tried to manually fill up and empty the balancing tanks which are used to sail into the wind. But despite this problematic sail, he managed to finish in fourth place. His disappointment and reinforced desire to win may yet again upset the balance in the last leg.

Francisco Lobato (Roff Tempo Team) was once again the victim of the "last moments”. His search for wind offshore Bozcaada right before the finish cost him coming in 9th place. It was his birthday yesterday. He surely would have liked to eat his birthday cake with the gleam of victory but unfortunately that wasn't possible.

The racers are still finishing one by one in Bozcaada. Before the start of the final leg that will take the fleet to Istanbul on tuesday, Gildas Morvan rose to the winning position. Fabien Delahaye and Jeanne Grégoire are right behind him.

In French:

A force de voir la génération montante truster les podiums, on pouvait craindre pour Gildas Morvan un début de passation de pouvoir inéluctable. Mais c'est le propre des grands champions de savoir rebondir dans la difficulté. En remportant de manière éclatante une étape qui, de l'avis de tous, fut particulièrement éprouvante, le skipper de Cercle Vert a rappelé qu'il faudrait encore compter sur lui. Arrivé en début de nuit à Bozcaada, Gildas pouvait compter sur les derniers souffles de brise et commencer d'égrener les minutes qui le séparaient de ses poursuivants. Dans son sillage, c'est une Jeanne Grégoire comblée qui signait là son premier podium, depuis huit ans qu'elle sillonne le circuit Figaro Bénéteau. La navigatrice de Banque Populaire, partagée entre une émotion intense et la satisfaction de voir un talent que tout le monde lui reconnaît, enfin récompensée, en cherchait encore ses mots dans une sorte de confusion des sentiments bien compréhensible. Fabien Delahaye (Port de Caen Ouistreham) complétait une fois de plus le podium et pouvait consolider sa deuxième place au classement général, même si le leader avait changé.

Le classement général bouleversé

Il était dit que cette étape ne sourirait pas aux deux skippers Macif. Ce fut tout d'abord Eric Péron (Skipper Macif 2009) qui dès le départ se trouvait confronté à un foc qui s'arrachait de sa ralingue. Malgré plusieurs brélages autour de son étai pour maintenir sa voile dans sa gorge, Eric perdait là un temps précieux et se trouvait relégué au fond du classement. Le sort devait s'acharner aussi sur François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010) qui, sur cette étape de brise, constatait que sa pompe de ballast ne fonctionnait plus. Deux heures et demi à remplir son ballast à la main lui coûtent près de trois milles sur la route. Mais le garçon est fait d'un drôle de bois : malgré son handicap, François n'a rien lâché et termine malgré tout quatrième de l'étape. Entre frustration de n'avoir pas pu défendre ses chances comme il l'aurait voulu et la satisfaction d'avoir navigué proprement, il ne serait pas étonnant de voir celui qui jusque là menait la course, tenter un gros coup sur la dernière étape. Autre grand perdant, Francisco Lobato (Roff Tempo Team), dont le recadrage au large dans le dernier bord vers Bozcaada, coûte très cher. C'était hier l'anniversaire du jeune Portugais et nul ne doute qu'il aurait préfér é un gâteau au goût moins amer.

Les arrivées continuent de se succéder dans le port de Bozcaada. Avant le départ de la dernière étape, mardi, c'est donc Gildas Morvan qui prend le fauteuil de leader devant Fabien Delahaye et Jeanne Grégoire. Comme quoi, il fallait vraiment aller chercher un résultat sur cette remontée le long des côtes turques.

WOW Cap Istanbul

WMRT: Ainslie battles through after epic Quarter Finals in Bermuda

Ainslie leads Minoprio through the quarterfinals in Bermuda. Image copyright Subzero Images/WMRT.

by Talbot Wilson

Having squeezed through the Qualifying Play-Offs, Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN now stands alone as the only skipper within the top five of the World Match Racing Tour to still be in contention of winning stage 8 of the series after a mix of epic battles decided the Quarter-Finals of the Argo Group Gold Cup.

With skippers frequently over-stepping the mark as they pushed for every possible advantage, spectators were treated to another frenetic display of collisions and penalties. A dispute between Taylor Canfield (USA) and Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing set the tone, despite not actually racing each other. With Canfield delayed after a red-flag penalty in his match against Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team, he became mixed up with the Ainslie vs Minoprio match at their first mark. Ainslie rounded just ahead of the others, with Canfield taking the inside line, however Minoprio didn’t give him enough space and there was contact between the boats resulting a penalty to a seriously disgruntled Minoprio.


A right tangle! Eric Monnin (SUI) hooks Talyor Canfield's kite during their quarterfinal. Image copyright Subzero Images/WMRT.

Canfield then proved to be the perpetrator in the day’s most spectacular moment – with his spinnaker sheet trailing in the water after a luffing match, Monnin sailed over the top of it as the Swiss skipper was preparing to gybe. The rope remained trapped as the two boats moved apart, pulling the sail between the two boats until it finally ripped apart.

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team initially looked as infallible as he has been all week in his first head-to-head against Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team. However, the tide changed dramatically as the Swede started to conjure up the form that saw him win the Argo Group Gold Cup in 2008. With Mirsky 1-2 down in the first to three points series, the pre-start of their fourth race saw both skippers fighting with all their power. Berntsson emerged from the second of two dial-ups immediately before the start to take control and an early lead but gained a penalty on the first beat. With both boats neck and neck on the approach to the finish, Berntsson executed a classic match racing move in perfect style. From the controlling leeward position, he first sailed Mirsky beyond the line, then luffed hard. When the Australian didn’t respond the penalties were evened, with Berntsson best placed to drop his spinnaker and reach back to the finish and book his ticket to the Semi Final.


Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team wins over Torvar Mirsky (AUS) in the quarterfinals. Image copyright Subzero Images/WMRT.

The Ainslie vs Minoprio battle went to the wire, with the outcome of their deciding race vitally important not just for this event but also for the overall World Match Racing Tour. The spectators knew it too, resulting in a large flotilla that shadowed the two teams as they attacked the course. In the pre-start Minoprio tried to duck to leeward of Ainslie, but there wasn’t space and he picked up a penalty. Ainslie led away from the start with a one-length lead and a flotilla of TV crews, race officials and spectator craft following in their wake. After crossing tacks a couple of times the pair split tacks, with Minoprio desperately hoping for a big favourable wind shift on the left hand side of the course. He was out of luck and crashed out of the competition in Bermuda and can only increase his overall point’s score on the World Match Racing Tour if he secures 5th place in the 5-8 playoff.

Ainslie’s path to the Semi-Final has been far from smooth and with his next opponent Johnie Berntsson in confident mood he’s under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge ahead. Ainslie commented: “We’re happy to pull through and we know it will be tough against Johnie, however we have a good history here, we’re relaxed and we’re going to enjoy this.” Berntsson retorted: “We’re delighted to be in the semis and, while we’re not taking anything for granted, we feel we’ve been in better form than Ben this week and we think they’re beatable.

Should Ainslie regain the Argo Group Gold Cup, it would catapult him from fifth in the overall World Match Racing Tour standings, to at least third and possibly equal second – just 17 points adrift of Richard. Watch this space.

Quarter Final Results
Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team 3-0
Reuben Corbett (NZL) Black Sheep Racing 0-3

Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team 3-1
Taylor Canfield (USA) 1-3

Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 3-1
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 1-3

Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 3-2
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 2-3

Semi-Final Pairings
Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team vs Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN vs Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team

World Match Racing Tour

Extreme 40: ECOVER Second after Day One in Almeria

Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/ECOVER Sailing Team.

by Lucy Harwood

Racing got underway today in Almeria for day one of the final event of the Extreme Sailing Series. The light conditions continued to dominate racing, forcing the start to be postponed as the eight boat fleet drifted around the course, waiting for the breeze to materialise. After a 45 minute delay, a light breeze filled the race course and the race committee were quick to get the fleet started. Racing was located outside the harbour for the first two races, after which they headed inside for some close windward leeward racing by the shore.

It was a good day for Ecover who clocked up five top three positions in seven races, including a bullet on the second race of the day. They head into the second day of racing in second overall, just four points from current event leaders Groupe Edmond de Rothschild and three points in front of the two Oman Sail teams.

“The day has been predominantly light, it’s been quite tricky seeing the breeze coming in, and also a bit patchy with some big holes on the race course. We had a good day, one race was slightly shaky and things didn't go quite to plan, but since then we've had pretty much top three performances throughout the day. So overall we're very happy and presently on track for a good result in Almeria, but we still have three days ahead and anything can happen,” skipper Mike Golding.

As to be expected with this type of racing, the course and conditions made the sailing very tricky for the fleet. The light winds meant the boat handling onboard needed to be perfect, any minor mistake was punished hard with boats moving from the front to the back of the fleet after the smallest error on the race course. After a short delay for a container ship to leave the port, racing got underway inside the harbour and the tight course meant a real fight on the start line. With limited space the boats jostled for position, but it was Ecover that found the most successful tactic. Leigh McMillan pulled off multiple port line starts as he managed to duck below everyone and find clear air, as a result Ecover repeatedly lead the fleet as they headed to the top mark.

“We just sailed our own races today,” commented Ecover helm Leigh McMillan. "We got off to slow start and it was very tight out in the bay and very light winds. Boycy gave us a stern talking to after the first race where we sailed ourselves into 6th place, he told us to sort ourselves out and we did, and after that we were suddenly in the top three in every race and we managed to pull it back. We experienced a few gusts coming through at the end, it’s already pretty exciting with some boat contact. If it’s windy tomorrow, it’s going to be all on. There is not a lot of room to get out of the way and there are brick walls everywhere!".

The fleet are expecting conditions to build overnight with anything from 10 to plus 20 knots on the race course, as well as a few showers. Racing is due to start at approximately 1430 local time (GMT +1) with 6 – 8 races planned.

Results after 7 races – Saturday 9th October
1 Groupe Edmond De Rothschild – 45 points
2 Ecover Sailing Team – 41 points
3 The Wave Muscat - 38 points
4 Oman Sail Masirah – 38 points
5 Groupama – 28 points
6 Rumbo Almeria - 23 points
7 Red Bull Extreme Sailing - 21 points
8 Emirates Team New Zealand – 18 points

ECOVER Sailing Team
Extreme Sailing Series

TP52 Worlds: Fourth Overall for Artemis

by Paul Cayard

Quantum Racing with Terry Hutchinson on the helm won the TP52 World Championship and Artemis finishes fourth losing the tie breaker with Synergy for 3rd.

One race was held today in 8-10 knots from the East Northeast.

Artemis had a decent start and played the shifts well to round the first mark 3rd. ALL4ONE, Synergy and Cristabella were all close behind.

Quantum and Matador were locked in a fierce match race by themselves.

We rounded the leeward gate in second and again played the shifts well up the second windward leg to close on Bigimist who was leading. Bigimist tacked on us at a very critical moment and this forced us to tack away and pushed us behind Cristabella and ALL4ONE. We finished that way after a big four way fight on the final run.

By beating Synergy we tied them but they beat us on the tiebreaker due to their better finish in the Coastal Race.

This event ends the TP52 season for Torbjorn and the Artemis crew. The competition in the class is at a very high level.

Cayard Sailing
TP52 Worlds

TP52 Worlds: A Nice Finish for Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE, but half a point missing for the podium

© Nico Martinez/WSM

by Stephanie Nadin

The TP52 season is now over with the TP52 Worlds finishing today in Valencia. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE took the 2nd place today on the last race of the competition week. The conclusion of the event is positive for Jochen Schümann and Stephane Kandler's team, despite their 5th place overall after a tough and intense regatta, but only 0,5 point away from the 3rd place! After 3 podiums out of 5 events in the Audi MedCup, ALL4ONE has shown that the top-level collective experience and common background has borne fruits, and that the team now has solid basis for the next season.

Jochen Schümann, Skipper: " today was obviously a good day. We finished second in a good battle, and it was an interesting race. But we lost too much on the first day, so it was hard to catch up. Now we're missing a half point to be third, which was our target. So that's how it is, but it's still a reasonable good finish. There is another year coming, and we're looking forward to it. "

Sébastien Col, Tactician: " I have a great feeling tonight, as it has been an intense racing week, with Matador and Quantum Racing fighting on one side for the first place, and us on the other side battling with four boats for the third place. Unfortunately we miss a half point to reach the third place, so we are very close from the podium. We have shown that we could make it, but we also have some regrets as the first racing day has not been good for us, and we lost a lot of points where we should have easily been on the podium. But that didn't prevent us from sailing well for the rest of the week, and today in particular where we had a good race finishing second.
"The conclusion from the TP52 season is that the level is very high on the circuit, and you have to be very consistent. I'm very satisfied by the fact that we managed to start at a good level straight away, despite the fact that we were a late entry. But like all the young teams, we missed a bit of consistency throughout the season, just as the first day here. So we need more of that, and we'll be on the podium next year."


© Nico Martinez/WSM

Stephane Kandler, ALL4ONE's CEO: " We are quite satisfied with our TP52 season. We have been three times on the podium out of five events in the Audi MedCup, and we finish here only 0,5 point away from the podium of the TP52 World Championship. We have shown that we are able to achieve good results. We missed a bit of consistency, which makes that we are not totally satisfied today. This team was new, and it showed that it was able to fight against the best teams. With a bit more training and common experience, I'm sure that we can reach the highest step on the podium."

The competition season is far from being over yet for ALL4ONE, as the French-German team led by Jochen Schümann and Sebastien Col will soon be on the start line of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai (November 12-27). ALL4ONE will fly on November 6 to U.A.E, as the team will take part to a training session for one week with a top level sparring partner: Emirates Team New Zealand.

Provisional overall standings after 9 races
1. Quantum Racing - 31,5 points
2. Matador - 33,5 points
3. Synergy - 41 points
4. Artemis - 41 points
5. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE - 41,5 points
6. Cristabella - 42 points
7. Bigamist - 51,5 points
8. Pace - 72 points
9. Weapon of Choice - 76,5 points

ALL4ONE
TP52 Worlds

TP52 Worlds: Quantum Racing clinch second world title

Quantum Racing did what they had to do win their second TP52 World title in three years, containing the 2009 world champions - the spirited, never-say-die Matador crew - through today’s one showdown, final race of the TP52 World Championship off Valencia


09 10 2010, TP52 World Championship Valencia 2010 © Nico Martinez/WSM

by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

The long delay, waiting for enough of a settled breeze to allow competition to take place, only one race was possible, starting at 1517hrs.

With a points cushion which meant that only one of these two could win the title, and Quantum Racing holding a three points cushion, the last race proved to be a tough head-to-head, match race as fully befits the America’s Cup waters.

While their title duel certainly warranted top billing, so too there were a set of supporting matches in the flukey 5-7 knots breeze - private battles and tussles to settle final results throughout the nine boat fleet.

The other key match was for third. Russia’s Synergy were seeking revenge over Artemis (SWE) with whom they tied for third on points in Palma last year. This time it was Synergy who prevailed, countback for third on the podium favouring their two race wins.


09 10 2010, TP52 World Championship Valencia 2010 © Nico Martinez/WSM

Matador were forced on to the back foot off the line when they jumped the gun, forced to re start. Though they did so swiftly and efficiently, Quantum Racing were immediately in a position to work them left, all the way the port tack lay line.

Whilst Bigamist (POR) went on to finish their season in style, winning the last TP52 race of the season, the title fighters rounded the first turn with Quantum Racing in eighth and Matador ninth.

Whilst Quantum Racing did good work herding Matador back into the darker depths of the fleet, the biggest threat arose when the duels ahead of them slowed, offering Matador half a chance of escaping back into the fleet.

But they crossed the finish with Alberto Roemmers’ team eighth and Doug DeVos’ Quantum Racing in ninth, enough to the give the title to the American flagged team by two points.

For Quantum Racing it completes an unmatched record of two world titles in three years, and a second, only losing out last year on countback to Matador, and adds the perfect final flourish in their final race with the Botin Carkeek designed boat in which they won the Audi MedCup title in 2008 and finished runners-up in 2009 and this season.


09 10 2010, TP52 World Championship Valencia 2010 © Nico Martinez/WSM

Finishing in fourth place, just ahead of their arch-rivals was enough for the Russian team to take third, but illustrating just how close it was also in the body of the fleet, only one point separated Synergy from sixth placed Cristabella, with Torbjorn Tornqvist’s Artemis (SWE) fourth, and Audi A1 powered by All4ONE (FRA/GER) fifth.

TP52 World Championship 2010
Final Results

1. Quantum Racing (USA) - Terry Hutchinson (USA), 1+3+3+1+4+7,5+2+19= 31,5 points
2. Matador (ARG) - Alberto Roemmers (ARG), 4+2+5+3+5+1,5+3+2+8= 33,5

3. Synergy (RUS) - Eugeni Neugodnikov (RUS), 5+1+1+2+7+6+10(DSQ)+4+5= 41
4. Artemis (SWE) - Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE), 3+5+2+4+1+9+7+6+4= 41
5. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER) - Jochen Schuemann (GER), 2+10(DSQ)+8+6+2+4,5+4+3+2= 41,5

6. Cristabella (GBR) - John Cutler (NZL), 6+4+4+7+9+3+1+5+3= 42
7. Bigamist 7 (POR) - Afonso Domingos (POR), 7+6+6+5+3+10,5+5+8+1= 51,5
8. Pace (GBR) - Johnny Vincent (GBR), 9+8+7+10(DSQ)+6+12+6+7+7= 72
9. Weapon of Choice (GBR) - Tom Wilson (GBR), 8+7+9+8+8+13,5+8+9+6= 76,5

Quotes of the day

Terry Hutchinson (USA), skipper-helm Quantum Racing (USA):
“ It is an overwhelming sense of relief. We had a big task ahead of us today and this was one of those regattas which kept on going well and then we would retract a little bit, Matador had such a great coastal race, and that was always going to be a big race. And so we did really good work getting back to fifth in that race.”

“But today is tricky and dicey and that is a fast boat that we are racing against. Our boat is a fast boat but there are certain moments when they just go fast like. And so it was amazing how quickly they got back into it after their OCS.”

“What a great culmination to the end of the season. There is so much effort and work goes into these projects, and so to put a world championship under our belt is really, really special.”

On the start:
“ There was a big gap which opened up with a right shear to leeward of where we were and we just quickly got the grip on them and tried to drive them back.”

“We both turned up towards the middle of the course and drove them into Audi A1 to leeward of us. Our call was is if we have to split sides then we want to keep the right, so they tacked at a good time, and so they tacked at a good time. We were racing to the committee boat and two boats were stalled and locked outside the committee boat and we slid through.”

“They were over (the start line) of their own volition. Our influence was us tacking to start with, but all along just wanted to keep the pressure on them and we just did that.

“Through the rest of the race we kept on driving them back, but the problem became that we kept on gaining on the fleet. It was an anomaly. The worst case scenario was at the leeward gate, we did a couple of really nice down speed manoeuvres against them, and the strength of the Quantum boat against the Matador boat showed in the tacking duels, but when we got into open course, that is a nice, efficient orientated blade boat.

It is awesome for us to have won two of the last three world championships and to have tied with Matador for the last one on countback.”


09 10 2010, TP52 World Championship Valencia 2010 © Nico Martinez/WSM

Adrian Stead (GBR) tactician Quantum Racing (USA):
“As the breeze was a bit fickle we were fairly confident we were only going to have one race, to be honest. Our goal was to contain Matador, keep them back as far as we could so that no boats could get in between her and us. It was going OK but there were a few other little private match races going on, and so that was not easy. It was hard work.

"For me, personally, I am really pleased. To have missed out on Marseille (where Quantum Racing won the Marseille Trophy regatta), I am pleased to feel like I have delivered. And to win the world championships and finish second on the Audi MedCup Circuit is just great.”

Guillermo Parada (ARG), skipper Matador (ARG):
“We won the position we wanted on Quantum in the last tack before the start gun, but we were over the line by three meters. These things happen.”
After that we were always pushing, pushing to the end, and by the finish we were able to pass them.”

“We are very proud because we wanted to get to the final day with a chance to win. This is our last race with this boat because in the final half of the season, since Copa del Rey we have won twice and had two second places, so we finish up with this boat with a good record.”

Eugeniy Neugodnikov (RUS), helmsman Synergy (RUS):
“ It was really tough today. We did a really good job from start to finish. Of course we needed to be in front, but it was enough to take third place. On the finish line it was hard because if Artemis were one place higher they would have beaten us to the podium. So we are happy. This result is very good for Synergy, a boat which was often seems to be in fourth place, but never on the podium. And if you remember last year they finished fourth, right behind Artemis and on the same points so that's changed today.”

“We all hope to be here next year, this has been a great school for me, and I want to thank our sponsors, team and fans”.

TP52 World Championship

St Jude wins drawn out Port Hacking Race

Dick Cawse's Lyons Cawse 60 Vanguard Line Honours winner in the Port Hacking Ocean Pointscore Race. Image copyright Andrea Francolini.

by Di Pearson

Noel Cornish has sailed his Sydney 47 St Jude to a win in the drawn out Port Hacking Race, the second race of the Ocean Pointscore Series (OPS) conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia today.

The race was so difficult, that the first yacht home, the 2009/2010 Ocean Pointscore Series winner, Vanguard (Dick Cawse) finished over four hours ahead of the last yacht home, Sinewave, a Davidson 37 owned by Reg Mason and Barb Maunsell, who finished the 30 nautical mile race just after 7.17pm this evening.

Winner, Cornish, must have been saying a prayer to St. Jude (although the boat is named for his wife Judith), the Patron Saint of lost causes, asking just to finish the race. His prayer was answered, as Cornish and crew not only finished just before the shifty east-south-easterly breeze weakened, they scraped home to win overall by less than three minutes!

However, Cornish and his long time crew are pleased St Jude’s result; the nearly three year old yacht has already applied to enter the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in which it gained a good fourth overall in division last year.

Today’s result has boosted their morale for the 628 nautical mile race to come on Boxing Day. “The crew has worked hard between races, so we were certainly well prepared for today’s race,” said the Wollongong yachtsman, adding: “The crew co-ordination was perfect and now we’re looking forward to the Cabbage Tree Island Race which will be our Rolex Sydney Hobart qualifier.”


Noel Cornish's Sydney 47 St Jude, IRC Winner in the Port Hacking Ocean Pointscore Race. Image copyright ROLEX/Kurt Arrigo.

Not even two-time Rolex Sydney Hobart winner and 2009/2010 Blue Water Pointscore champion Bob Steel was immune to the conditions, coming home third overall behind St Jude and second placegetter, David Forbes’ Merlin, a Kaiko 52 from Middle Harbour.

Dick Cawse’s Lyons/Cawse 60, the outstanding winner of the CYCA’s 2009/2010 OPS, took line honours, arriving at the Point Piper finish line on Sydney Harbour at 15.13.43, taking just over five hours to complete the race that started at 10.00am this morning.

It was a very long day for the fleet’s crews and for the principal race officer, Denis Thompson and the volunteer start boat crew.

At 4.00pm, in a fading breeze, only eight of the 20 starters had completed the course, with famous maxi Brindabella skippered by Justin Sutherland second on line, followed by two TP52’s; Bob Steel Quest and Matt Short’s Shortwave, along with Geoff and Pip Lavis’ Inglis/Murray 50, UBS Wild Thing.

“Although the yachts got off the line in an 8-10 knot east-south-easterly, it was mostly 6-8 knots to Port Hacking and back, until 4.00pm when the breeze started to die out,” Denis Thompson said, resigned to the fact he and his team would still be on the water as night fell.

Those who finished prior to 4.00pom were thanking their lucky stars, remembering the tricky light breeze that the Lion Island Race dished up two weeks ago, in which Never a Dull Moment (Colin and Denise Wilson) was the only finisher.

As only two races of the series have now been sailed, Never a Dull Moment, which finished ninth overall in IRC today, leads the OPS from St. Jude and Merlin, while an eighth in PHS means she leads Merlin and St Jude in that pointscore.

The next event on the OPS calendar is the Botany Bay Race on November 20.

CYCA