| Hooligan makes a menace
of herself in Rolex Trophy. |
| By the Rolex Trophy
Media Team. |
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Photos by
Peter Andrews,
Page edited By Peter Andrews. |
| December 18, 2010. |
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It was a spectacular start for the passage race in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Rolex Trophy Rating and Passage Series’ today, as the combined fleet set off from Watsons Bay and out past North Head for a passage race of approximately 24 nautical miles. Contrary to the past two days of racing in the Rating Series where the fleet struggled in light airs, the two fleets enjoyed a pleasant 14 to 19 knots from the north-west, veering north-north-west during the day.
Today’s race took the yachts on a course from Watsons Bay to laid Rolex marks offshore, stretching the course up as far as Long Reef off Sydney’s northern beaches, with the finish back in Watsons Bay. Bob Oatley’s super maxi Wild Oats XI, skippered by Mark Richards, took pole position at the leeward end of the line, quickly clearing the rest of the 31 boat fleet. |
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zzz.
Photo © zzz.
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However, the day belonged to Marcus Blackmore and Hooligan again, where the TP52 is proving to be a tough competitor in the Rating fleet. Even a challenge from Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki was rebuffed, as Hooligan won overall by over two minutes to the Reichel Pugh 63, Loki.
Pittwater yachtsman Marcus Blackmore, continues to be overjoyed at the performance Hooligan has produced since being plonked in the water only three days ago after undergoing IRC modifications. Hooligan’s owner should be proud as he now has a five point lead over his nearest rival, Rob Hanna’s TP52 Shogun from Victoria, with a drop score in place. With one race remaining, it is improbable that Hooligan will be beaten. |
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Blackmore took particular satisfaction today when he stood at the stern of his yacht and looked back. "There were boats behind us that should have been in front of us. It was the most satisfying moment I’ve had for some time," he said.
"The crew work was outstanding today,; especially the foredeck. I’ve got three guys who’ll be doing the next VOR (Tom Addis, Stu Bannatyne and Tony Rae) and they put our young guy Tyson Lamond to the test. They did peel after peel, he did a great job and really got a work out," chuckled Blackmore, who withdrew his protest of yesterday against Rodd & Gunn Wedgetail. |
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Recounting the day, second place getter Loki’s Stephen Ainsworth said: "The course was pretty interesting. We were able to stretch our legs a bit and I think we did OK. We looked good to win, but Hooligan came down the last run in a bit more pressure."
And the Sydney businessman was more pleased in their performance against near sistership, Alan Brierty’s Reichel Pugh 62, Limit. "I’m absolutely happy with our performance and preparations for Hobart. Limit is our gauge and so far we’re on top of them." |
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West Australian Brierty, feeling a little downhearted with his sixth place this afternoon, responded to Ainsworth’s comment with a wry smile. "We’re going to reverse that, but like Loki, we’re stoked that we are there to push each other."
On their Rolex Sydney Hobart aspirations, Ainsworth commented: "We’re fast and the boat is solid, it won’t break; We’re faster than Limit. We can see it and feel it. Yesterday we were neck and neck with them, we traded places mark by mark. It doesn’t get any better. The unknown factor is Rán. We know she’s quick, but we’ll just have to wait and see. There’s a question mark in my mind," he said. |
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While the Division 1 boats were thrashing it out, in Division 2, Sydney plastic surgeon Howard de Torres found his handiwork was needed aboard his own boat, Nips-N-Tux. "Our forward hand, Don McPhee, elbowed my mainsheet hand James Martin Coney in the nose. His nose was on an angle, so I gave him a nose job while he trimmed the main," he said.
In the Rolex Passage Series, which started today and is being sailed concurrently with the Rolex Rating Series, Melbourne yachtsman Rob Date was happy with his Reichel Pugh 52 Scarlet Runner, after scoring a bullet in the 21 boat fleet. "Not bad," was how he related his day’s handiwork and whose crew includes Kiwi world match racing champion, Adam Minoprio calling tactics, top sailmaker David Eickmeyer, Scott "Scooter" Hinton and Gary Adshead. |
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"We only got the boat to Sydney last Sunday. We’ve got a brand new crew who’ve never sailed together, and one person didn’t show up. As the race went on we got better. We’re very happy to beat boats like Jazz; by a blur and Ragamuffin. That’s quite pleasing."
Following a slow upwind leg today where they lost places, Date said: "We absolutely need the wind behind us to win the Sydney Hobart."
Racing concludes tomorrow with an offshore passage race of up to 27 nautical miles, due to start at 11.00am.
Full results of the Rolex Trophy Rating Series are available at: http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/2010/club/2010RTSRTS/series.htm.
Full results of the Rolex Trophy Passage Series are available at: http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/2010/club/2010RTSPTS/series.htm. |
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| Outimage and Rolex © 2010 |
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