This season heralded the 10th series of the Noakes 7s Series in a little over six years and it continues to build in strength with each edition. Some of Australia’s top sailors including Rob Greenhalgh, Ben Lamb, Richie Allanson and Chris Nicholson were part of the eight teams who jumped at the opportunity to sail one of the CYCA’s fleet of Elliott 7 keelboats.
While past series’ mostly featured top J/70 and Etchells class competitors, teams from the Farr 40 and MC38 classes are now joining the series to test their skills in the smaller one-design yachts.
COVID restrictions did impact the series, the original six-race Tuesday evening schedule was reduced and compressed to four evenings over two weeks and commenced Tuesday 26 October.
The opening evening saw four sprint races completed in a 7-12 knot south-easterly breeze in Rushcutters Bay. Edake, skippered by Farr 40 owner Jeff Carter – new to the series but with a crew consisting of youth training program alumni from the CYCA and RPAYC – it came as no surprise when they finished on top with a slender one-point lead at the end of Day 1.
Race 1 went to defending champions Vamos, skippered by J/70 National Champion Tim Ryan. Edake then rattled off wins in Races 2 and 3. Flying High, skippered by Etchells owner Jeanne-Claude Strong with Seve Jarvin calling tactics scored the final bullet of the day in Race 4.
By the end of Week 1, the Youth Sailing Academy’s (YSA) entry skippered by Finn Tapper had edged out in front. The YSA team were yet to win a race, though proved consistency is key.
Race victories on Day 2 went to Reg Lord’s Juno and Flying High. The dying north-easterly breeze only allowing for two races to be completed. The race wins saw each team climb to second and third overall respectively, with only three points separating the podium places.
Heading into Day 3 of the series, an absent Tim Ryan saw Rob Greenhalgh take over the helming duties on Vamos. In a beautiful 10-14 knot north-easterly breeze, Greenhalgh took early control, convincingly winning Race 7 by over a minute. This was extremely impressive given each race target time is only 12 minutes.
Vamos backed this up with another race win in Race 8 followed by a third and second in the other two races of the day. The impressive scorecard catapulted the defending champions back into overall contention, four points off the lead after the Race 10 drop came into effect.
Vamos’ double victory for the day however was replicated by Reg Lord’s Juno for Race 9 and 10. Their only blip for the day was a fifth place in Race 8. This, combined with a second in Race 8 saw Juno take the lead after the YSA’s Finn Tapper slipped to third.
The final day, Day 4 on Thursday 4 November, looked poised for a battle between two of Australia’s top J/70 teams. However, unfortunately, rain showers throughout the day saw a windless finale. Racing was abandoned for the day at 1835hrs with Juno declared the winner.
“It was a fantastic series with some real top teams. It’s never been tougher competition. We would have liked to go out today to sail but unfortunately, the wind didn’t want to cooperate so we are thankful for our hard yards earlier in the series.” Commented Reg Lord following racing.
Lord commended the CYCA and Noakes Group for their continued support of the series which looks as strong as ever. The popular series will return in March 2022.
