In a coup for Australian sailing, 28 of the world’s best yachting teams have arrived in Sydney to compete in one of the most prestigious sailing events of 2005 – the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship to be held March 1-4 off Sydney Heads.

Twelve Australian yachts will line up amongst boats from eight countries in what is considered the ‘Formula One’ of yachting.  This is the first time the event has been held outside Europe or North America.

The strong local representation will use knowledge of the Sydney waters to challenge entrants from from Italy, USA, New Zealand, France, Norway, Denmark and Germany.

“Hosting the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship is a great coup for Australian sailing – to see so many international yachts and the cream of world sailing here is terrific,” said Australian Farr 40 Class President and skipper of Ichi Ban (CYCA), Matt Allen.

The event brings together a who’s-who of yachting talent, including Olympic gold medallists Russell Coutts, Mark Reynolds and Tom King.  Former Team New Zealand tactician and Athens Olympian Hamish Pepper will also be sailing on Australian yacht Evolution, while Grant Simmer (America’s Cup winner) and Col Beashel (America’s Cup winner and Olympic medallist) will sail on Australia’s Southern Star.

Southern Star’s Skipper John Calvert Jones is the only Australian to have won the event, taking victory in Newport, USA in 2000.  Tactician Grant Simmer said the team is looking to give internationals a real challenge.

“This is the first time we’ve sailed Southern Star with an all Australian crew and we’ve got six-time Olympian Col Beashel on board so we’re aiming to make a real impact,” said Simmer.

Two-time winner and current World Champion Jim Richardson is looking for a third crown with his US yacht Barking Mad, but knows the Australian teams have local knowledge on their side.

“If you haven’t sailed here before, it’s a bit of an eye-opener – there’s a lot of adapting going on now as international teams get to know the conditions here,” said Richardson.

“The seas here tend to be quite lumpy and when you’re sailing off Sydney Heads the big challenge is to steer through the waves.

“We have the exact same crew as we had when we won in San Francisco in 2004, so everyone has been through it and everyone understands what it takes to win, but there are so many good teams here and the conditions are so very different.“

Australian Richard Perini and his yacht Evolution (CYCA) is considered a favourite after winning the Australian title in the Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship and their win in the Rolex Trophy last December.

German boat Morning Glory, owned and skippered by Hasso Plattner, will be an international competitor to watch.  Morning Glory placed fourth at the Rolex Trophy in Sydney last December and Plattner has recently secured the services of New Zealand sailing guru Russell Coutts as his tactician. 

The 2003 World Champion, Italian Massimo Mezzaroma and his yacht Nerone, are also among the contenders although the team have not sailed in Sydney before. Tactician Vasco Vascotto sailed in Brisbane 14 years ago for the 470 Worlds (dinghy class), but this is his first experience of the southern waters.

“We plan to do lots of training – we did the Nationals on the weekend and we will compete in the Rolex Pre-World Regatta,” said Vascotto.

“Our philosophy is when you are sailing well, you are sailing well no matter where you are in the world.”

Vascotto said the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship was also a fantastic opportunity for the crew to visit Australia as many of the team have friends here.

All competing yachts will undergo weight and measurement checks over the next few days and all crew will be weighed to ensure teams meet the required standards for Farr 40 racing.  All yachts must be exactly the same in dimension, boat weight and crew weight and no alterations are permitted.

This equality means tactics, sailing skills and crew teamwork become vital to winning races and with no handicaps involved, the first yacht over the finish line wins.

“You never know what’s going to happen in each race and you could have a different winner each time,” said Jim Richardson.

“The fleet is so bunched up together all trying to get around that mark and just going for it – it’s really a fantastic sight.”

The Rolex Farr 40 Pre-World Regatta will be held from Thursday 24 February to Saturday 26 February and the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship will be held from Tuesday 1 March to Friday 4 March, 2005.