Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title

Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title - Preview

by Lisa Ratcliff, Australian Farr 40 media 9 Jan 2014 05:53 GMT 10-12 January 2014

Action from the Farr 40 One Design Trophy in Sydney © Jon Reid / Saltwater Images

Wired and Transfusion © Craig Greenhill / Saltwater Images

Farr 40s under North Head © Craig Greenhill / Saltwater Images

Can the Sydneysiders upset the applecart?

The Taswegians on the Farr 40 Voodoo Chile are two up in the 2013-14 summer season and looking to maintain their class-beating form for the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 NSW State Title on Sydney Harbour this coming weekend, January 10-12, 2014.

Breathing down the necks of Lloyd Clark and Andrew Hunn's Tasmanian crew is Guido Belgiorno-Nettis' Sydney based Transfusion, runner up to Voodoo Chile at both the opening QLD states and the One Design Trophy out of Middle Harbour Yacht Club last November.

Since 2007 Belgiorno-Nettis, the current Australia Farr 40 class president, and Lang Walker's Kokomo have dominated the scene, the former a Rolex Farr 40 world champion and both multiple national champions who travel with a bevy of high profile names among their crew.

Out of the spotlight Clark and Hunn have built up a solid Corinthian team, including young tactician David 'Chappo' Chapman who lets his match racing prowess do the talking on the water. Voodoo Chile began to threaten the professional crews in the closing stages of the 2011-12 program and now the Farr 40 from the Apple Isle is the one to beat.

David and Howard Lambourne (Lambourdini) from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron will re-join their classmates for the three day series preceded by an invitation twilight race tonight, Thursday 9 January.

Martin and Lisa Hill's Estate Master was due to contest the series but is still undergoing "corrective surgery" according to Martin, including a new paint job.

Gordon Ketelbey has been racing his Sydney 38 Zen for many years. It's parked next to Transfusion on the MHYC marina and Belgiorno-Nettis has been working Ketelbey over for some time. "I've been pestered by Guido to come and play so I'll do that this weekend and see what it's all about.

"Most of my 38 crew are tied up doing other things so my tactician Steve McConaghy is putting a team together. We are going to leap aboard untrained and go sailing, and if we knock off some of the Corinthian boats I'll be very happy," Ketelbey said.

He is chartering Jeff Carter's second Farr 40, Edake. McConaghy was the regular tactician on the Farr 40 Enigma, now sold.

Included in the seven starters for the state title is a second regular entry from Hobart, Stephen Boyes' Wired. From University students to lawyers, the Wired team prides itself on its slick and constant crew work, collecting a string of Hobart based regatta event wins and pennants over the years.

There's nothing alarming in the weekend forecast, 10-15 knot nor'easterlies on Friday and Saturday. These classic summer conditions are well within the capability of the seasoned crews, including many just back from the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race and regatta.

Up to four races will be contested daily, overseen by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Principal Race Officer Rob Ridley. The first race of each day is due to commence at 1100hrs.

Series sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management has arranged front row seats for their guests to view the action on the harbour on Saturday and Sunday, an amazing opportunity to watch America's Cup and Olympic sailors and world and Australian champions in various classes throwing these exciting one-design boats around tight inshore courses.

All skippers and crew will come together on Saturday evening for a dock party and BBQ at RSYS, an opportunity to further cement an already tight knit Farr 40 group.

Entries for the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr NSW State Title: