Transfusion wins 2010 Pittwater Farr 40 regatta

Sydney (AUS) – Two days of racing on the Palm Beach circle off the iconic Palm Beach in Sydney’s north has delivered the 2010 Pittwater Farr

transfusion
Transfusion. Photo by Sam Crichton. Click to enlarge. Click on Photos link above for more event images.
40 regatta win to Guido Belgiorno Nettis’ Transfusion. The fleet, which had two new teams lining up for this event, raced six races over the two days and the weather gods provided plenty of breeze and swell giving the six boat fleet a taste of what’s to come over this season for the Farr 40’s.

Joining the fleet from Sydney was Ivan Resnekov’s Impi and from New Zealand Brett Neill’s White Cloud. The fleet recently raced at Port Stephens and this regatta has again been utilised by teams in preparation for the 2011 Rolex Farr 40 Worlds being held in Sydney in February.

“We played out what we thought was the best strategic race in the final race and it went our way”, said a satisfied Belgiorno Nettis. He continued “I want to thank Lisa and Martin and the Estate Master team for pushing us all the way and helping us work on our worlds plans and preparation for next year”.

Day one of racing for the fleet and things were kicked off with a consistent Nor East breeze that ranged between 13 to 20 knots for the three races of the day. Winners of the 2010 Peppers F40 regatta, Lisa and Martin Hill’s Estate Master started off the regatta with a win in the first race and the New Zealanders made their presence felt shadowing Transfusion for the entire race. A protest resulted in White Cloud being scored DSQ for this race and gave second place to Transfusion and maximum points to the New Zealanders.

An over zealous fleet were given a general recall for race two and once they restarted Estate Master replicated their first result with their second win while White Cloud again held onto second and Transfusion in third.

Both Estate Master and Transfusion were called over early in race three and the New Zealanders took full advantage of the situation taking the gun with Transfusion making up ground over the course and sliding into second in a photo finish with Estate Master who recorded their first third place for the regatta.

The second day of racing provided a similar breeze but a greatly increased sea way and swell which stretched the fleet out across the race course. Race four and it was Transfusion’s turn to take the gun with Estate Master in second and White Cloud in third. The swell provided plenty of challenges and teams had to gybe on the back of a large seaway on both runs downwind.

Race five was taken again by Transfusion and White Cloud took second. An extremely close finish between Jeff Carter’s Twin Edake and Estate Master resulted in Twin Edake being awarded third and Estate Master in fourth which set the scene for a very tactical final race.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club race committee got the fleet away for the final race of the regatta and White Cloud showed the fleet a clean set of heels and extended on their lead for the two laps around the course. A game of cat and mouse and a gybeing duel between Estate Master and Transfusion provided Chris Way’s Easy Tiger II with the opportunity to capitalise on the situation and manoeuvre through to second place over the line with Estate Master finishing third and Transfusion fourth. These places gave Transfusion a one point separation in the final points and the regatta win.

The entire regatta has given the teams an opportunity to gain valuable team time on the water and improve on crew work as they aim for the ultimate class title in 2011, the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship.

The next regatta on the 2010-2011 Australian Farr 40 circuit is the Middle Harbour SSORC regatta November 27-28.

Final Results:

 

1. Transfusion Guido Belgiorno Nettis MHYC 13 points
2. Estate Master Lisa and Martin Hill MHYC 14
3. White Cloud Brett Neill RNZYS 16
4. Twin Edake Jeff Carter MHYC 24
5. Easy Tiger II Chris Way RPAYC 25
6. iMpi Ivan Resnekov RSYS 35

 

Corinthian Division Winner – Twin Edake Jeff Carter MHYC