fbpx

Reve on a typical Sydney Winters day. Credit: David Brogan SAILPIX

Race 9 – Audi Centre Sydney Winter Series

Only one race remains in the 2018 Audi Centre Sydney Winter Series and, with many divisions tight on points at the top, race 10 will leave it all to play for.

In PHS DivD only two-and-a-half points separate the boats in first to fifth position, with three boats (Superfine, MortgageChoice Rumba and One More-No More) tied on 28 points for third place.

Superfine navigating a strong southerly. Credit: David Brogan SAILPIX

While currently sitting at the top of the three-way tie for third and in close reach of the top spot, George Waldthausen of Superfine confessed, “After winning last year I didn’t really expect we would do that well again in this series. We have had a few heavy air races which we don’t normally do so well in.

“It was a cavalier kind of day, light airs that suited us well. We also had some of Summer Breeze’s crew on board who we have sailed with for a long time, sharing crews when we need.”

“Things seemed to go well from the moment we left the starting line. We managed to get ahead and when the wind dropped the rich got richer. I’m glad the race committee decided to do the full course, we thought it might have been shortened but the south-east breeze came in just at the right time.”

A similar points situation is occurring in PHS DivF with only two points separating Panacea in second, Europa in third and Reve in fourth.

Kevin Whelan of Rev: “All the stars were aligned, we had some good breeze which helped because we are a heavy racing boat and struggle in the light.”

Even though the team onboard Reve were able to take the win in DivF it didn’t come easy. “The trick is to sail without making mistakes and this weekend we managed to not make too many mistakes that cost us time. We changed position a few times along the legs, but we came through in the end,” said Kevin.

Onboard Reve it is very much a family affair with Kevin’s son and daughter making regular appearances on the boat. With Ladies Day the closing race of the series, the Reve team will be looking forward to having Kevin’s wife Jane back on the helm as she has steered the last two races which the boat has won.

Reflecting on the series Kevin said, “It’s a pity the wind didn’t pick up in the last few races, the start of the season was a bit light and we struggled with that. We are trying to get on the podium, we are close but are relying on a very good Sunday this coming weekend to get the extra points.”

With the fate of many divisions being decided by next week’s race, all eyes will be on the wind forecast and what the weather will deliver.

Other divisional winners included; PHS DivA1 – Warwick Sherman’s Snowdome Occasional, PHS DivB – Tony Clift’s The Goat, PHS DivE – Richard Cunningham’s Space Invader, PHS DivG – David McClean’s Merry Mac, PHS Div J1 – Shaaron Walsh’s Trim, PHS DivJ2 – Troy Scott’s Symbiosis, PHS DivK – Herman Heiligers’ Hubcap2 and IRC Div1 – Zoe Taylor’s Grace O’Malley.

Full results of all division and overall series standing can be found at the CYCA results page with images from the day found at the CYCA Facebook page.

CYCA Principal Sponsor

CYCA Official Sponsors

CYCA Youth Sailing Academy Sponsors and Supporters