aims for a hat trick
Defending Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Champion Lang Walker and his crew on will also be defending the title they have held for two years as winners of the Australian Farr 40 Circuit. will be aiming for three in a row this weekend when they take to the water to defend their 2008 Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Champion title.
“We have a chance to do this weekend what Vincenzo Onorato has done with Rolex Farr 40 Champion titles and make it three for three but we have to sail a consistent regatta and every boat out there on the race course with us has a chance at this title. has a very competitive Farr 40 fleet and every regatta win is a credit to its . We are looking forward to three days of close one design racing”, said .
Sponsored by ’s premier Whitsunday island resort Hamilton Island for the last five years, two world renowned names, Farr 40 and Hamilton Island, will continue a long standing association by presenting the 2009 Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship.
“There is a deep affiliation between Hamilton Island and sailing and Hamilton Island is delighted to continue its partnership with the Farr 40 class at such a prestigious sailing event, the 2009 Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship. The class and have been partners for five years and is also a sponsor of many of the Farr 40 crew members through the Australian Sailing . We look forward to seeing many of the Farr 40 owners and crew members racing later this year at the Hamilton Island Race Week”, commented Hamilton Island CEO Glenn Bourke.
Challenging will be eight other teams from , and with their sights set on the title, 2009 Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Champion and the trophy that goes with it.
Current leader of the 2008-09 Australian Farr 40 Circuit Guido Belgiorno Nettis will be on a quest to hold onto the lead he has in the circuit and secure the Australian Champion title but with this being the last event to be sailed anything can happen.
“We have had a tightly fought season in the circuit points and I think it will come down to the last event to decide again. Last season the finishing positions in the circuit were decided on a count back so we wont rule anything out. This last class event for the Australian Farr 40 circuit will be used by our in our preparation towards the 2009 Rolex Farr 40 World Championship in Sardinia in June”, commented Belgiorno Nettis.
Winner of last weekends Series Ivan Wheen’s Sputnik will have one of many Olympians as part of his crew with Sydney 2000 Gold Medallist Tom King onboard as tactician. 2008 Beijing Gold Medallist Malcolm Page will be sailing with Lisa and Martin Hill’s Estate Master along with fellow Beijing Olympian Nathan Outteridge and Michael Blackburn who has a Laser Olympic medal to his name. Six times Olympian Colin Beashel will be onboard Kokomo is his long held role as tactician and Beijing Olympian Tom Slingsby will be calling the shots for Transfusion.
The three days of racing over February 20-22 are scheduled to take place on ’s iconic Harbour and offshore on the waters off South Head and Macquarie Lighthouse with Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron hosting the event.
|
Boat |
Skipper |
Yacht Club |
|
Easy Tiger II |
Chris Way/Ian Burns |
RPAYC |
|
Edake |
Jeff Carter |
MHYC |
|
Estate Master |
Lisa & Martin Hill |
MHYC |
|
|
Lang Walker |
RSYS |
|
Sputnik |
Ivan Wheen |
RSYS |
|
Transfusion |
Guido Belgiorno Nettis |
MHYC |
|
VooDoo |
Lloyd Clark/Andrew Hunn |
RYCT |
|
White Cloud |
Brett Neill |
RNZYS |
|
Wot For |
Graeme Wood |
CYCA |
All photos Sam Crichton For more information please go to www.farr40.org or contact Sam Crichton ph # +61 0407 63 64 16 or email samcrichton@smartchat.net.au