The Victorian fleet of ten active Sydney 38’s enjoyed a number of regattas during 2011 / 2012 and the 2012 / 2013 season is set to be more competitive and exciting than ever before! We have introduced a more comprehensive summer aggregate to complement the regular ‘Sunday Morning Sprints’ with participation levels at 90%. Competition is extremely tough and Lou Abraham’s “Challenge” no longer dominates the racing. Ian Murray’s “Cinquante” crew regularly make their way up from Geelong and have been rewarded by currently leading the summer aggregate series. “Clockwork” owned by Gordon Mather and Frank McDermott is also sailing well and winning races. “Audacious” owned by Greg Clinnick and Paul Holden as well as “Chutzpah38” skippered by Bruce Taylor are also prominent.

2011 /2012 Highlights
1 Victorian Championships
The 2012 North Sails Victorian Championship was hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club on the weekend of 21st and 22nd of April. The racing was sailed in a variety of testing conditions ranging from a drifter to 25 knots. The ten competitors enjoyed close racing in a no drops series. “Challenge” owned by the 85 year old legend, Lou Abrahams and helmed by the very talented Mark Bulka won the series by a convincing 13 points from Sierra Chainsaw (The Mollison family) which also won the Corinthian division.
2 Morris Finance 2012 Pre Season Regatta
The Morris Finance Regatta was held at Royal Geelong Yacht Club over the weekend of 15th and 16th September. The Series was won on a count back by “Cinquante” skippered by the local and sponsor Ian Murray from Lou Abrahams “Challenge”. The seven race series was sailed in predominately light and testing conditions. “Clockwork” (Gordon Mather and Frank McDermontt) sailed consistently on both days and did well to finish third overall and won the Corinthian division.
3 Winter Series
The eight race winter series was won by Challenge with a perfect score from Audacious and Chutzpah38. This was the first One Design series held over winter and proved popular an average of eight starters each day. Race days were scheduled one day a month in lieu of the ORCV Winter series held fortnightly. The series was a success and based on feedback may be held once every three weeks next year.
2012 / 2013 The Season So Far
1 Lipton Cup
One Design Racing was on display for the first time at the Lipton Cup. Usually a two day handicap event, the RYCV accommodated the needs of the 38 fleet by hosting a three race scratch event on the Saturday of the regatta in November. Whilst race one was marred by an individual recall which affected all but one boat in the fleet, racing was typically close. “Cinquante” was the boat of the day with “Clockwork” also having a good regatta to finish second. “Challenge”, after a poor first race, fought back with a 1st and a 2nd. A good fleet of 9 Sydney 38s took part in the regatta.

2 Summer Aggregate
As an incentive for owners to participate more and to keep interest levels high the summer aggregate has been extended to include more than the Sunday morning sprint series. Races such as the Lipton Cup, Sail Melbourne and Club events have been included this season. Based on the support thus far the format has been well received. Unsurprising, it would appear One Design racing is alive and well. After 8 races, “Cinquante” and “Challenge” lead with 13 points from “Audacious” not far behind.
3 Club Marine Series
Whilst not a scratch event, it is interesting to note that Sydney 38’s dominate the leader board after 3 races. Whilst a well sailed and rated Beneta 45 is leading the series, ,“Clockwork” is second, “Audacious” is third, 38 Degrees South is fourth and “Chutzpah38”fifth. “Audacious”, “Chutzpah38” and “38 Degrees South” (John Chatham) have all won a heat. This series is the feature event of the IRC summer calendar in Victoria and the results to date reflect the competitiveness of the class.
4 Festival Of Sail
Planning is well under way for this regatta scheduled between 25th to the 27th of January 2013. With interstate entries expected from “Zen” (Gordon Ketelbey, NSW) and “Shining Sea” (Andrew Corletto, SA) a big fleet of 13 boats should make for a great regatta. In order to accommodate a request from RGYC, the passage race from Melbourne to Geelong will be included in the seven race series with a provision for one drop. Again, Ian Murray “Cinquante” has agreed to sponsor the event through his company “Morris Finance” and the Southern Chapter very much appreciates his on going commitment to the class.
SUMMARY
The Sydney 38 fleet in Melbourne is very healthy, participation levels are high and the standard of racing has improved. The addition of “Playground” (Andrew Robinson) and “Adrenalin” (Ian Beer and Andrew Molnar) have not only increased our numbers but improved the competition. “Cinquante”, no doubt is the big improver and along with “Clockwork” demonstrates that success can be achieved with perseverance and effort. We also look forward to seeing Andrew Mollison helming “Sierra Chainsaw” again after recovering from serious injury.
The proposal to introduce the masthead spinnaker as the standard configuration has been the subject of much debate in Victoria and opinions are divided. Owners have been encouraged to vote by submitting their proxies at the AGM.

Rowan Simpson,
Secretary,
Southern Chapter.

X3 Mange Mieux Bourge Plus, bought in 2010 by Herv Regimbeau, has won line honours in the Groupama Around New Caledonia Race.

For a full report head over to My Sailing: www.mysailing.com.au/news/sydney-38-wins-groupama-around-new-caledonia-race

The Morris Finance Sydney 38 Regatta was held at Royal Geelong Yacht Club over the weekend of 15th and 16th September. The Series was won on a count back by “Cinquante” skippered by the local and sponsor Ian Murray from Lou Abrahams “Challenge”. The seven race series was sailed in predominately light and testing conditions.

Race One set the pattern of the regatta with “Cinquante” coming from behind to win from “Challenge”. The short course format promotes close racing which was a highlight of the weekend. “Clockwork” (Gordon Mathers and Frank McDermott) delayed proceedings by tangling  the pin end of the finish line. Undeterred “Clockwork” sailed a sensational race to easily win race two from the consistent “Challenge”.  With two wins and two seconds “Challenge “ led the series at the end of the day but those results did not reflect the closeness of the racing. An enjoyable silver service dinner capped off a great day!

Fortunately, more wind prevailed on Sunday eliminating some of the frustrations of the previous day. “Cinquante” came out to play and was the dominant boat of the day with two wins and a second. “Chutzpah” (Bruce Taylor) recruited North’s Noel Drennen and did well to win a race and pressure the leaders. “Challenge” struggled to hold off these rivals and slipped down the leader board. “Clockwork” sailed consistently on both days and did well to finish third overall. 38 South (John Chatham) had a second in race 4 and “Mille Sabords” (Stephane Howarrth) threatened at times. Adrenalin (B Watts Syn) had a regatta to build on!

A presentation concluded the regatta. Many thanks to the regatta sponsor, Morris Finance Ltd, the race and jury officials, the Marina Manager, the Sailing Manager, Rodney Haggebold and the RGYC for their hospitality.

The regatta is no doubt a highlight of the Victorian Sydney 38 calendar.

RESULTS (After one drop)

1. Cinquante                     Ian Murray                                            10 points
2. Challenge                      Lou Abrahams                                       10 points
3. Clockwork                     Gordon Mathers & Frank McDermott       18 points (Ist Corinthian)
4. Chutzpah                       Bruce Taylor                                          20 points
5. Mille Sabords                Stephane Howarth                                  26 points
6. 38 Degrees South           John Chatham                                        28 points
7. Adrenalin                      B Watts Syn                                          38 points

Rowan Simpson

Southern Chapter Secretary

The 2012 North Sails Victorian Championship was hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club
on the weekend of 21st and 22nd of April. The racing was sailed in a variety of testing
conditions ranging from a drifter to 25 knots. The ten competitors enjoyed close racing in
a no drops series. Unfortunately, disqualifications did not help the overall result of the well
performing “Audacious” and “Cinquinte’ on day 1 of the regatta. However, it was “Challenge”
owned by the 85 year old legend, Lou Abrahams and helmed by the very talented Mark Bulka
which won the series. It has been a good year for the “Challenge” team who won the 2012
National Title earlier in the year. Lou believes the main reason for his success is a stable crew,
many of whom have been sailing with Lou for in excess of 10 years.

The standard of racing throughout the fleet was consistently high throughout the seven
race series. There were 4 different heat winners. Apart from “Challenge”, races were won
by ‘Cinquante”, “Clockwork” and “Audacious”. “Sierra Chainsaw” whilst not winning a heat,
illustrated the importance of consistency and staying out of trouble to be placed second in the
series. Defending champion “Chutzpah” was 4th overall, 3 points ahead of “Clockwork” which
featured with a spectacular broach in the last race. “Mille Sabords” demonstrated potential
with two podium finishes whilst “Adrenalin” saved her best result for the last race. In her first
championship outing, “Playground” showed good form on Saturday, before gear failure in the
stronger winds on Sunday prevented a better overall result. Based on their excellent pre regatta
form, the crew of “38 Degrees South” would have been disappointed with their final result.

Race 1 was shortened to one lap after the light northerly evaporated. “Cinquinte” pipped the early
race leader “Audacious” at the finish, whilst “Challenge” was lucky to finish third. After a brief
delay, racing recommenced in a steady south easterly wind of 10 knots. Racing was extremely
close in these conditions with positions constantly changing. “Challenge” starting at the pin lead
from the start with “Sierra Chainsaw” benefitting from a right hand shift, threatened at the finish.
Race 3 was a very similiar affair with “Challenge” holding off a fast finishing “Chutzpah”on
this occasion. Places were constantly changing as was the wind direction. Most gains were made
off the wind. Race 4 was again won at the start when “Clockwork”, starting at the pin got the
benefit of a 15 degree wind shift to port tack the fleet. Too fast to be caught, “Clockwork” had
a comfortable win from “Challenge” with “Audacious” a couple of seconds behind in third.
Unfortunately, protests between “Audacious” and “Cinquante” resulted in both being disqualified
for which separate incidents and in a no drop series, very much put both entries out of contention.

With a forecast of increasing wind strength and a left hand shift, “Challenge” started at the
pin and was relieved to clear “Mille Sabords” to lay the weather mark in one tack to have a
convincing win. With the win going left as predicted, “Mille Sabords” was able to hold off
a “Cinquante” to have her best result of the series. With the wind strengthening, “Challenge’
again started at the favoured pin end of the line to lead the fleet and enjoy another win from the
very quick “Audacious” and “Clockwork”. With series won by “Challenge” and the fleet now
wise to favoured the pin end, race 7 was very competitive. “Audacious” was the star performer
with “Sierra Chainsaw” very strong. “Clockwork” was flying as was “Chutzpah”. “Challenge”
after a poor start, was struggling. With wind now above 20 knots the runs were exciting as boats
chose to push their luck with depth. A couple of wipe outs occurred but none more spectacular
than “Clockwork’s” all standing chinese jibe which dropped her three places. “Audacious” won

the race by a comfortable margin to finish the series as she started on a high note. The Corinthian
series for cat 1 crews was won by “Sierra Chainsaw” with “Audacious” the runner up.

A highlight of the series was the close racing and skill level. There is no doubt the standard of
racing has improved in Victoria. The big improver was “Audacious” with “Clockwork” very fast
at times. A barbeque presentation was held after the last race. A social function was also well
attended on Saturday evening.

A big thank you to the major sponsor of the series, North Sails Australia for supplying the
trophies, Sierra for providing the winner’s jackets and to Ronstan for donating the novelty prizes

In addition, to Graeme Watt and his race management team a great effort, to Monica in the sailing
office, the on water jury and measurers, thank you all for making the series a success.

RESULTS

1. “Challenge”                    Lou Abrahams                    3,1,1,2,1,1,4       13 points
2. “Sierra Chainsaw”          Mel & Andrew Mollison    6,2,4,4,4,4,2       26 points   (1st Corinthian)
3  “Audacious”                   Greg Clinnick                     2,11Q,5,3,5,2,1  29 points  (2nd Corinthian)
4  “Chutzpah 38”                Bruce Taylor                       4,7,2,5,6,7,3      34 points
5  “Clockwork”                  G. Mather / F Mcdermott    9,5,6,1,7,3,6       37 points  (3rd Corinthian)
6  “Cinquante”                    Ian Murray                          1,4,11Q,6,3,6,7  38 points
7  “Mille Sabords”              Stephane Howarth               10,3,9,8,2,5,9    46 Points
8 “Playground”                   Andrew Robinson               5,6,3,10,8,11,11 54 Points
9 “Adrenalin”                     I Beer / A Molnar                8,8,8,9,9,9,5        56 Points
10 “38 Degrees South”       John Chatham                     7,11,7,7,10,8,8    58 Points

Rowan Simpson,
Secretary,
Southern Chapter

An electrical thunderstorm brought an abrupt end to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Rolex Trophy and the Sydney 38 NSW State Championships, but it made little difference to the  winner, Mark Griffith with his Old School who had led the from Day 1.

Fortunately, Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson had put two of the three scheduled races to bed before the Manly Circle waters turned to glass and a big southerly buster blew the light nor’ easter to pieces.

Rain poured down, the thunder cracked threateningly and lightning hit the course, along with 30 knots of wind, before it too, blew away.

“It was prudent to end the series,” Thompson succinctly said. “We had eight of the nine races sailed; better to be safe,” he said.

Old School won six of the eight races sailed, starting with a third and ending the same way, prompting Griffith to comment: “We could have started better and finished better, but otherwise it was good. We’ve done a lot of work and I have a strong team, so I was confident going in. We had good enough boat speed to get us out of tight spots.”

Realising they had enough in the bank to claim the Rolex Trophy and win the NSW Championship after Race 7 was completed, Griffith said: “We knew we had it won, so we played it pretty safe in Race 8. We conserved our sails for the nationals, which we’ll sail just after we do the Pittwater-Coffs race.

Coming off wins in the Sydney 38 One-Design Pittwater Regatta and the Sydney Short Offshore Racing Championship two weeks ago, Griffith from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club said he was not surprised by their win.

Gordon Ketelbey sailed Zen to second place and won ‘Boat of the Day’ after scoring a second place in Race 7 and finishing off with a bullet. Zen finished 14 points adrift of Old School, while CYCA entry, Calibre, owned by Geoff Bonus and Richard Williams was third, a further 14 points behind.

Towards the end of the second race, winds became very flukey and shifty before dying off completely. In fact, Denis Thompson had to change the course between races and during them for the Sydney 38s.

Griffith said he felt “confident’ going into the nationals. “We didn’t compete last year, but we finished second in 2009, and now I’m going for the number one spot. I’ve got a couple of very good sailors on board and we’ve been training hard,” he said, referring to tactician Steve McConaghy and mainsheet hand Bruce Savage.

Attached photograph (dec 2011 067 – credit Anna Cross) – Sydney 38’s race towards the storm to get the wind in the NSW State Championships 2011.

A total of nine boats raced the series, which had good clean tight results with four boats within three points of a podium finish.

Sydney 38 Old School wins the Pittwater Coffs Series

With a win in the final race, the 20 nautical mile South Solitary Island race, RPAYC’s Mark Griffith’s Sydney 38 Old School won the IRC division in the 2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta, on a count back from MHYC’s Rob Reynolds DK46 Exile.

Old School wins IRC in the 2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta – photo by Damian Devine

Only one of the two races scheduled was completed on the final day of the regatta.

With two wins, a second and a fifth in the four race regatta, Griffith ended on 14 points knowing that he had to win today and, overnight leader Reynolds to place third or worse to have any chance of lifting the coveted IRC regatta trophy. Reynolds who sailed an excellent race today was pushed into third place by a mere 8 seconds, also finished on 14 points. With Griffith’s two wins and Reynolds one in the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race, meant he was declared the winner.

Another Sydney 38 Mark Hinchley’s Wizzard finished second in the final race to finish on 27 points to pick up third in the regatta.

Wizzard finished second in today’s IRC race around South Solitary Island and third in the regatta – photo by Damian Devine

With a light 5-8 NNE breeze early and a Southerly forecast, racing got underway just before 1130hrs after a general recall in the first attempt to get the race underway. The breeze softened to 3 knots as the fleet made their way up to South Solitary Island before the breeze swung 90 degrees to a 10 knot SSE.

The boats set their kites to round South Solitary to starboard and by the time they rounded the island, the breeze was swinging more to the South and building. When all the boats had rounded and on a reach back to Coffs Harbour, the southerly kicked in and peaked at 20 knots, Pretty Woman took line honours in a little under three hours. On corrected time, Old School won in 3hrs 14mins 18secs by two minutes from Wizzard and Exile, third.

An elated Griffith’s who has now clocked up four regatta wins in a row said, “this is awesome, totally unexpected. We knew we had to sail well today and we did, the crew put in hard today and were hiking all the way until it hurt. We got a good start, sailed well tactically and just put our heads down to get the job done”

“We came here wanting to win the Sydney 38 Division, so to win the IRC overall is a huge bonus. The crew were fantastic and they pushed hard all the way. We’ve been training hard, so this victory is sweet. I think the 500 plus tacks we did getting here in the Coffs race is good training for the Nationals coming up in a couple of weeks. Thanks to the RPAYC and CHYC for a great regatta, we’ll be back next year,” added Griffith.

FINAL PLACINGS 

1st THE NEXT CHALLENGE Lou Abrahams SYC 26 points, 6, 6, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2

2nd OUTLAW Alan & Tom Quick CYCA 38 points, 4, 8, 5, 5, 4, 5, 1, 2, 4

3rd WHISPER Bruce Ferguson RPAYC 38 points, 5, 2, 6, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 7

4th  OLD SCHOOL Mark Griffith RPAYC 40 points, 2, 1, 3, 4, 5, 1 ,3,16Q, 5

5th ZEN Gordon Ketelbey MHYC 52 points, 3, 7, 7, 7, 2, 8, 4, 1, 13

6th RISK Anna & Martin Cross RPAYC 54 points, 8, 5, 4, 6, 7, 3, 6, 9, 6

7th THE GOAT T. Clift / B. Foye CYCA 65 points 1, 9, 2, 1, 12, 10, 10, 8, 12

8th EYE CANDY G.Ward / C. Dawson RPAYC 74 points 9, 12, 9, 8, 10, 12, 7, 6, 1

9th CALIBRE G.Bonus / R.Williams CYCA 77 points 10, 4, 11, 10, 6, 6, 9, 10, 11

10th AUDACIOUS G.Clinnick / P.Holden RBYC 78 points 7, 3, 14, 9, 13, 9, 8, 5, 10

11th THE BOLTER Rick Welch RPAYC 89 points 13, 11, 8, 11, 8, 11, 12, 12, 3

12th ELENI Tony Levett MHYC 92 points 12, 10, 10, 12, 9, 7, 13, 11, 8

13th THIRLMERE S.Warneford / L.Jamie MHYC 106 points 11, 14, 13, 13, 11, 13, 15, 7, 9

14th CONSPIRACY D.Hudson / P.Byford RPAYC 125 points 15, 15, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 13, 14

15th RUSH Neil Sutton DSC 129 points 14, 13, 15, 16C, 16F, 15, 11, 14, 15

For all results visit: http://www.rpayc.com.au/results/2011/events/syd38australianchampionship/series.htm

‘The Next Challenge, a model of consistency leads into the final day – Sydney 38 Nationals 2012’    Damian Devine   Click Here to view large photo

‘Zen crosses the line to take victory in race two of the Sydney 38 Nationals 2012 – Sydney 38 Nationals 2012’   Damian Devine    Click Here to view large photo

Eye Candy’s Gavin Ward & Chris Dawson took the honours in the first race of the Sydney 38 Nationals 2012 – Sydney 38 Nationals 2012 –  Damian Devine   Click Here to view large photo

Lou Abraham’s ‘The Next Challenge’ leader after Day One of the Sydney 38 Nationals 2012 – Sydney 38 Nationals 2012 –  Damian Devine  Click Here to view large photo

‘Crew work is vital in Sydeny 38 one design racing – Sydney 38OD Australian Championship 2012’    Tom Spithill   Click Here to view large photo

Old School crew hiking on their way to winning the recent Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta Sydney 38OD Australian Championship 2012 –  Damian Devine   Click Here to view large photo

Saturday 28 January
By Damian Devine

The Lou Abrahams owned, Mark Bulka skippered ‘The Next Challenge’ has been crowned the 2012 Sydney 38 national champion with a comfortable 12 point win. Hosted by The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club over the past three days, the nationals attracted 15 entries and one of the strongest fleets in years with close racing on the Palm Beach circle the highlight of the series. Nine races were sailed in a variety of conditions ranging from very light shifting breezes to a gusty Sou’ Easter reaching 20 knots at times.

Mark Bulka skippers ‘The Next Challenge’ to victory for Lou Abrahams – photo by Damian Devine

Leading into the final day, ‘The Next Challenge’ had a handy but not unassailable eight point lead over ‘Outlaw’. They just needed to continue their consistent form shown over the previous two days and stay out of trouble to win. They managed to do so with a 1-6-6 finish on day three. So with two heat wins, three seconds, two thirds and two sixths for the series ‘The Next Challenge’ from Victoria had a series scorecard of 26 points, proving that consistency wins regattas.

’Outlaw’ (the father & son team of Alan and Tom Quick), from the CYCA, were placed second on a count back from ‘Whisper’ (Bruce Ferguson) from the RPAYC after a nervous wait in the protest room when ‘Whisper’ protested ‘Outlaw’ for proper course on the final run to the finish in race one of the day. The protest was dismissed and the results were official with both finishing on 38 points.

Protest flag flies on Whisper against Outlaw coming to the finish in race one – photo by Damian Devine

The plan for the final day was to complete four races but only three were managed by the race committee due to a shifting and fading breeze. In the nine races sailed, there were six different winners highlighting the strength of the fleet in this one design class and the quality of the sailors.

Action at the start on Day Three – photo by Damian Devine
Race Officer Ted Anderson got the fleet away on time at 11100hrs in a 10 knot easterly as forecast. With the pin end favoured, the fleet got away to a clean start with ‘’The Next Challenge’ jumping clear of the fleet to dominate the race with superior speed to win comfortably from defending national champion, the Clift/Foye ‘The Goat’ whilst Mark Griffith’s ‘Old School’ was third. The only incident was the protest by ‘Whisper’ on ‘Outlaw’ coming into the finish.

‘Old School’ got the jump in race two of the day with ‘The Next Challenge’ and ‘Eye Candy’. ‘Old School’ picked a faster lane to lead at the top mark and were never headed winning comfortably for their second win of the championship from ‘Whisper’ whilst the Clinnick/Holden ‘Audacious’, another Victorian picked up their first podium of the series with a third.

The final race was one of the closest in the championship with the Clift/Foye ’The Goat’ returning to the winner’s circle for the second time in the series to beat ‘Old School’ and Gordon Ketelby’s ‘Zen’ in a tight finish.

With a first, second and a third ‘Old School’ was awarded boat of the day and fourth overall on 40 points. Owner/skipper Mark Griffith, the pre-event favourite after winning the four previous regattas in a row, will no doubt be reflecting on their disqualification on day one, contemplating what may have been.

RPAYC’s Mark Griffith’s ‘Old School’ boat of the day on day three and finished fourth overall – photo by Damian Devine

The championship was sailed in good spirit and the race management team, lead by Ted Anderson are to be congratulated for their on water management in testing conditions.

A presentation at the RPAYC concluded a very successful National Championship.

Congratulations to the legend Lou Abrahams, who now has a couple of national crowns to his name, and ‘The Next Challenge’ crew who were clearly the best performed boat of the championship.

‘The Next Challenge’ Skipper Mark Bulka reflected on the championship win saying, ‘it’s great to do this for Lou, he really wanted to be here. This crew have sailed together for a long time and they really worked hard and the boat just kept responding. We knew we just had to stay out of trouble today so after the first race when we won, we literally took the foot of the pedal and just avoided any infringements and sailed safely. We’ve really enjoyed the regatta and look forward to taking the trophy back to Victoria.”

The Notice of Race for the inaugural South Australian State Championships has been released. The State Titles will be held as part of Lincoln Week Regatta from Monday 20 February 2012 to Thursday 23 February 2012. Seven windward/leeward races are scheduled for the series.

The NOR and online entries can be found at www.lincolnweek.com.au/registration-entry-list/notice-of-race

The Regatta organisers have announced that special guest for the 2012 Regatta will be Regatta Director for the 34th America’s Cup and CEO of America’s Cup Race Management Iain Murray. As part of his visit to Port Lincoln Iain will be guest speaker at the Lexus Cocktail Party at the Port Lincoln Hotel on Monday of the Regatta.

Any one interested in chartering a Sydney 38 for the Race Week should contact Andrew Corletto at [email protected] for further information.

Young Australian of the Year Jessica Watson, has upped the stakes for the seasoned sailors of the Sydney 38 fleet in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart this year. Behind the fame and glory of the large maxis, last year’s ocean race proved it ain’t over until the smaller fleet crosses the line.

In one of the closest and most challenging finishes the race has seen, it was the Sydney 38 fleet that provided a nail biting photo finish in the 628 nautical mile race, with the first two Sydney 38s finishing 29 seconds apart.

Jessica Watson, skipper of Ella Bache – Andrea Francolini ©
Last year’s winner, Eleni, is taking to the high seas again under the name TSA Management but it is the yacht that came second, renamed Ella Bache, that has the sailing community buzzing.

Jessica Watson will be at the helm of Ella Bache, and showing her usual flair and commitment to breaking records, her and her crew have been training intensely for the last few months.

Ella Bache has an average crew age of 19 while the defending champion TSA Management average age is well into their forties, you would be forgiven as seeing this as the young vs the oldies.

But Jessica Watson is adamant that their age is not a defining factor, saying recently ‘I think it’s surely about the experience and the way you go about things more than an age.’

Do not discount any of the eight yachts in the fleet winning the handicap honours.

The Goat, winner of the national championship earlier this year, has its sights on the Tattersalls Cup. Mark our words, just as it was last year, the most exciting race will be in the Sydney 38 fleet.

Sydney 38 fleet – Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race website

by Jacqueline Levett