After three very different days of sailing both on Sydney Harbour and off Sydney heads, the CYCA’s Lang Walker and his team on Kokomo have defended their double crown – the 2008 Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship and the 2007-08 Australian Farr 40 Circuit. 

“Racing in this regatta has been one of the toughest in the Australian class so far. We have had to sail fairly consistently to finish on top with the racing in the Harbour on the first day being fluky but great to sail on the flat water. 

“Saturday’s three races were tough with the whole fleet very close. The newcomers to the fleet did a great job and it bodes well for the class and the upcoming 2011 Rolex Farr 40 World Championship which is returning to Sydney,” commented a delighted Walker.

For the last day the 10 boat fleet again headed outside Sydney Heads to the Macquarie circle to line up for the final three races of the series. After Saturday’s tough conditions offshore, the fleet raced in a shifty breeze that swung from the south west to the east, all in the last leg of race seven. 

The large swell that had provided many surfing opportunities yesterday had reduced dramatically and the lighter fluctuating breeze tested the mettle of every tactician’s strategy. 

Ivan Wheen’s Sputnik and Guido Belgiorno Nettis’s Transfusion, which overnight were placed second and third respectively, switched places overall after Transfusion finished the last day with two first places and a fourth.

“It’s fantastic to see the local fleet so strong and we are already looking forward to next season starting with the annual Port Stephens regatta,” said Wheen.

Belgiorno Nettis, who is sailing his first season in the Farr 40 class, came second in the 2007-08 Australian Farr 40 circuit on a countback from Lisa and Martin Hill.  

“Our team has come a long way this season and learnt a lot about sailing the Farr 40. The level of competition has been fantastic and we will be back for more,” remarked Belgiorno Nettis who took home two second places this weekend in both the Championship and the circuit.

The 2008-09 Australian Farr 40 season will kick off in October with it hoped a Farr 40 class division will race at Audi Hamilton Island Race Reek in August.

The Farr 40 class would like to thank event sponsor Hamilton Island and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron which hosted the event. – Sam Crichton