Sail-World.com : Lou Abraham's Sydney 38 Challenge takes the honours in Geelong

News Home

Text Only News

ASMEX 2012

World Cruising

Australian Cruising

FishingBoating-World

Powerboat-World

Sail-World Australia

Sail-World.com : Lou Abraham's Sydney 38 Challenge takes the honours in Geelong

Lou Abraham's Sydney 38 Challenge takes the honours in Geelong

'The seabreeze hit the fleet meant for a hasty course change in race 9. - Morris Finance Sydney 38 Regatta' Teri Dodds ©

With five wins out of a possible nine races, it was a dominant performance by Lou Abraham's team on his boat, Challenge. They took out the Morris Finance Sydney 38 Regatta, with 16 points clearing away from their rivals yesterday Clockwork Orange who finished in second place with 22 points. Andrew Mollison's Sierra Chainsaw crept up into third on 25 points.

Lou was unfortunately absent for today's race as the conditions were predicted to be another chilly day on Corio Bay, in Geelong, which is tough on the octagenerian . Though winds were lighter at 10-12 knot from the SSW, the fleet managed to get in another four races to complete a full series. Race Officer Greg Sinclair was pleased saying ‘I've never been able to run a complete series as September is normally too windy and a blow out is common.'

Challenge hotly pursued by Cinquante. - Morris Finance Sydney 38 Regatta - Teri Dodds ©

Clockwork Orange didn't quite emulate their success from yesterday, as some costly errors happened on the track.

In race 7, they came into the bottom mark bareheaded, as the headsail could not be hoisted, it was caught in the track. On board was Quantum Sails David Eickemeyer who noted that ‘as one of their slip ups today that cost them.'

However, Clockwork's owner's Gordon Mather and Frank McDermott were very proud of their efforts.

Clockwork Orange - Morris Finance Sydney 38 Regatta - Teri Dodds ©

Mather commented ‘We've had the boat for two years and campaigned it well over winter and at Sandringham, where they have a mentoring program. We have been coached by Sam Haines (Ullman Sails) and more recently David Eickermeyer, where they have helped us with start procedures, and tweaking for those 1 percent gains. It's great and we look forward to the Nationals in Geelong in 2011.'

Unlike yesterday, where general and individual recalls occurred from each start, today was more conservative with all four races with clear starts.

Definitely some serious racing, indicative in the final results, which can be viewed at www.rgyc.com.au.

Challenge hotly pursued by Cinquante. - Morris Finance Sydney 38 Regatta - Teri Dodds ©

At the helm, former national champion and regular Etchells sailor Mark Bulka skippered Challenge to Victory. - Morris Finance Sydney 38 Regatta - Teri Dodds ©

More images can be viewed online at www.teridodds.com shortly.

by Teri Dodds

Tweet

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.marinebusinessnews.com/index.cfm?nid=74817

7:38 AM Sun 19 Sep 2010 GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

Click for further information on
Sydney 38 News

Related News Stories:

29 Jan 2012	Lou Abrahams ‘Next Challenge’ crowned 2012 Sydney 38 National champion
26 Apr 2011	Sydney 38 Victorian Titles – a stern view
06 Apr 2011	John Bertrand helms Lou Abrahams Challenge to win SYC Sprint Series
01 Mar 2011	2010-2011 Ullman Sails Sydney 38 Sprint Series results
01 Feb 2011	Sydney 38 Nationals - The Goat skippered by Bruce Foye dominants
23 Jan 2011	Audi Victoria Week - The Goat spins gold in Sydney 38’s
02 Jan 2011	Rolex Sydney Hobart - Sydney 38s finished 29 seconds apart
22 Sep 2010	Victorian Sydney 38 Fleet Pre Season Regatta produces great racing
18 Sep 2010	Tight racing for the Sydney 38's in Geelong
21 Apr 2010	Veteran Sydney 38 sailor Lou Abrahams retains Victorian Championship