Eight Farr 40 teams kicked off the Australian Farr 40 2008-2009 season at the opening Peppers Anchorage Farr 40 Regatta on Friday.  After four races on the waters off Nelson Bay Estate Master leads the event. 

Conditions for the day fluctuated with the breeze building over the afternoon to 20 knots and swung between North Nor East and Nor east in direction with a swell that built with the breeze.

Race one and after leading for the entire race Lang Walker’s Kokomo’s parade was rained on by Guido Belgiorno Nettis’s Transfusion when they crossed the line just in front of the reigning Australian Farr 40 champions. 

Onto race two for the day and Lisa and Martin Hill’s Estate Master had a half boat jump on the fleet from the start line and this put them in good stead for the remainder of the race leading from start to finish. 

An over eager fleet caused a general recall for race three and when the eight boat fleet hit the start line for the second time in a building nor’easter it was at full pace with the foot to the floor.  Unfortunately for Ivan Wheen’s Sputnik who were leading at the first top mark rounding their spinnaker caused a few headaches on the first downwind run.

The final race of the day and Transfusion led the pack from start to finish with Estate Master mimicking their result in second place. 

“It’s great to have the team back together with our Australian Sailing Team crew members back in the mix.  We still have two days to go and it’s still a game of inches”, remarked Hill after racing.

Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan had former Farr 40 sailor Chris Meehan at the helm for the day and finished up in third place after the four races. 

“It was great to be back at the helm of a Farr 40 today after a few years away”, commented Meehan.

Racing continues tomorrow and the forecast is for light to moderate north to northeast winds.

Sponsoring the Port Stephens event are host resort Peppers Anchorage, Club Marine Insurance and Two Furlongs Wine from Mudgee. – Sam Crichton