Fresh champions

In Division 1, John Bacon steered his Melges 32, Crazy Diamond, to five race wins to secure the championship. Seeking Alpha, David Hamilton’s Farr 40, claimed one victory and held second place throughout the regatta, while Mark Griffith’s LCE Old School Racing completed the podium.

Speaking on Bacon’s behalf, tactician Darren ‘Twirler’ Jones said, “The wind and conditions favoured our boat as a whole, though the Farr 40 was also good in the light air, but we had an edge.

Reflecting on their fifth-place finish in Race 5, Jones added, “We got smoked. The breeze was 14-16 knots and we can’t get our numbers back in that downwind.”

Jones said the crew had been pleased with their overall performance in a competitive mixed fleet.

“It’s not easy to get a boat like that around the course and we sailed against a competitive fleet. We were discussing how I’m used to sailing these boats in a one-design fleet, so tactics come into play in a very different way in a mixed fleet like this.

“Fleet management was important, especially as the smallest boat… I’ve had a blessed career.”

Division 2 honours went to Garry Gudmunson’s Organised Chaos, the well-sailed ID35 that had claimed Division 1 last year. Three wins and consistent results secured the title by 8.5 points over Young at Heart, with Local Hero finishing third. Both rivals recorded a race win on the final day.

Gudmunson said the final day had tested both crews and equipment.

“It was a different day offshore. First race was in the south-east 8-10 knots, a bit tricky. Second race came in out of the south at 12-15 knots and third race it died again and we had 6-8 knots.

A very testing day – we had a couple of issues – but got through them and won. Fantastic… We have a good rapport.”

The Super 40 fleet also completed its series in difficult conditions, with three inshore races finalising the five-race championship.

Michael Ritchie’s Ritchie 38, Revolver, emerged as overall winner after combining consistent final-day results with two victories on the previous day. Although he did not win on the final day, his 2-4-2 scoreline proved decisive.

Condor, last year’s winner, finished second, two points behind, while Bushranger claimed third. Minerva opened the day with a race win.

Commenting on his run, Ritchie said the shifting breeze had made for demanding racing.

“A tricky day today… A hard day’s sailing with lead changes. The amount of close racing we did today was incredible. The fleet really got something out of it.”

He also praised course official Steve Merrington.

“Steve was great… His race management was exceptional.”

The Pittwater Cup fleet experienced a wide range of conditions across two days of inshore racing under the management of Commodore Rob McClelland.

“Yesterday was unbelievable, with spinnakers the whole way round the course,” McClelland said.

“A reach, a tight reach and run – it was a challenging day for all.”

A new Teams component attracted strong interest, particularly from Newcastle crews, with victory going to the RPAYC2 team of Conspiracy, Harlequin and Ascalon.

In the Pittwater Cup divisions, Rock n Roll claimed Division 1, Gusto secured Division 2, and Pinta Bay won Division 3.

Colin Hills, skipper of Gusto, said consistency had been key.

It was very intense, but very exciting… ‘consistency pays’ came into play.”

A total of 86 boats competed in the regatta, which incorporated the ORC NSW Championship, Pittwater Cup, Super 40 division, the inaugural teams event and the Grand Soleil Yachts Cup.

Ashore, crews enjoyed a lively social programme, including a spinnaker-packing competition on the club lawn and a blindfolded lifejacket challenge, both of which proved popular.

At the conclusion of the event, Commodore McClelland reflected on the success of the regatta.

“From my perspective, 13 yacht clubs coming to visit and sail here. I think everyone’s had a good time.”

The regatta concluded with celebrations and final prize-giving, bringing another successful edition of the Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta to a close.

rpayc.com.au