Victoire – First 45
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Another interesting yacht in this year’s Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is the Sydney Yacht Squadron entry of Dr. Darryl Hodgkinson the owner and skipper of Victoire. Supposedly she is a cruiser racer, but in reality is a fully carbonized Beneteau First 45, one of six in the world. It is a similar boat to Paul Clitheroe’s successful Balance. She was first campaigned in England and raced in the 2008 Cowes Week winning her IRC division.
Daryl said, ”The 45 was specifically the boat that I wanted, after moving out of the 44.7. I found the Beneteau 44.7 not particularly enjoyable as a steerer. Also, although Mr. Bigg’s Ribs had done exceptionally well and so has Le Billet, I thought the 45 was more “specked up” and with the fully carbonized program of mast, boom, forestay and winchers, it’s stronger boat for the Hobart campaign. The boat was bought with the idea of competing in the Blue Water Series from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia with the hope to do well in IRC for the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race”.
Darryl continued with, ”the boat’s first major outing was the Sydney to Newcastle race which was quite frustrating from the point of view that we could not find the top mark. We had a real tussle with Rambler, a Farr 40, who beat us across the line but we had enough on her rating wise to win that race and collect the trophy for our IRC division 2.
“During the winter series it has been quite light, which does not suit our boat particularly well, although our times around the track have been quite good in comparison to the other 45s in the competition.
“Our crew manager is Sean Kirkjian who sailed with me successfully in the Sydney 38s where we won the State Title and Rolex on Uplift in 2008. Danny McConville who is the boat manager from Yendys, has also helped us out and is an excellent manager of the yacht and very involved in putting the boat together after we shipped it from Hambly in England. When we got the boat is was called “Poppy of Portland” and had a “unique poppy” logo on it which Danny had promptly removed as soon as he saw it. We named the boat “Victoire”, being a French lady and my daughter’s name being Victoria, we thought this would placate the family. Victoria herself is in the Youth Development Ladies’ Squad at the CYCA and hopefully will continue her interest from skiffs to big boat sailing.
“The logistics of doing the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race followed by Brisbane to Keppel and then quickly moving up to the Airlie Beach Race Week has required a big commitment from our crew.
“In over 12 knots, the boat has a get up and go and she is particularly nice down wind as her nose sits out of the water”.
For those of you who never saw Dr. Darryl’s Sydney 38 ”Uplift” it had a fairly fine set of hooters painted on the side; perhaps to do with Daryl’s occupation as a plastic surgeon. Not having seen Victoire, we can only wonder if she is similarly graced with fine artwork.
Well, there is plenty of Intel on Victoire there (I am sure the crews of Carbon Credits (First 45) and Ultimate Positioning (First 44.7) will have read keenly), but what Darryl has not told us is just how comfortable these well IRC rated and very competitive French houseboats are. You can bet it will be dry and warm downstairs and there will be quality hot food, drinks and dry bunks for the crew.
If I sound jealous; I am. Like many I will be one of the poor suckers on a stinky, wet racing boat, where sleeping in wet weather gear on the windward rail is sometimes drier than downstairs on a soggy foam bunk. Just to add to attractiveness of that bunk is the pungent aroma of diesel, body odor, urine, farts, mold, soggy clothing and possibly vomit. Not that we are allowed to go downstairs. As for food: it will be a stale sandwich and a bag of mixed lollies and no alcohol to ease the misery.
No wonder off shore sailors so often hear the question of “are we all having fun yet?”
By the Mystery Yacht Sailor
Social Networking
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Our world has dramatically changed to Generation Now. You can send an email at 3am and get a reply, use smart phones to access wireless networks everywhere you go and view intimate details on those around you on social networking sites. Yacht Racing is not immune to these changes, and some Organising Authorities have embraced the new technology to immerse “virtual spectators” into races without ever leaving the shore.
For the inaugural Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race in 2007 the race organisers Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron had competitors send sms messages which were then transfered to the race website. Updates including the conditions, speed and how many whales had breached around them where made available to the public creating a sense of being there for those unable to take part.
In 2008 the race utilised a then little known social networking service now known as Twitter.
Fast forward three years and Twitter and Facebook are household names with many events jumping on board the free services and utilising them to increase race and regatta profiles to the general public.
Counting down to the race start
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Entries for the 4th Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race officially close on Friday 23 July with the yachts due to set sail on Friday 6 August 2010.
38 yachts have entered the race, however the Mummery 45 Icefire (Peter Cox) has been a late withdrawal leaving the fleet at 37. In 2009 the race attracted 28 yachts.
While most eyes will be on the three big boat entries, Black Jack (Peter Harburg), Wild Oats X (Bob Oatley) and Lahana (Peter Millard), most of the competitive racing will be between the remainder of the fleet of forty footers. The six Farr 40s are also set to take the limelight with their own division, a first for this race.
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) Commodore Russell McCart will be amongst the Farr 40 fleet in his one design yacht Night Nurse.
“It’s going to be a spectacular start and I’m really happy that we’ve ended up with a fleet of Farr 40′s,” said McCart.
“I’m looking forward to sailing through Breaksea Spit because its such a beautiful part of the world.
When asked how he would go against the other Farr 40′s, McCart said that he did hope to win.
“It would be great to be the first Farr 40 home but we haven’t really done the lead up work. But remember that it’s a long race, so anything can happen!”
Penny Morgan, daughter of Rick Morgan and crew on Dream Lover, said she is looking forward to the race which will be the yachts fourth time into Keppel Bay.
“We have raced Dream Lover in all the previous Brisbane to Keppel Races and in 2009 won the Navigators Prize,” said Morgan.
“This year we have joined the team with Morgan’s Seafood as a sponsor and look forward to being involved in years to come.
“The best part of this race is the people you meet, seeing a beautiful part of Queensland that you don’t get to see everyday and the time spent with my crew mates. An awesome start to Dream Lover’s annual voyage North!”
Newly appointed RQYS Sailing Committee member Michael Job, and skipper of the Sydney 41 Southern Cross Yachting is looking forward to the race which he describes will be at the back of the fleet.
“Despite being at the back end of the fleet, we look forward to a spirited battle with our old nemesis Sweethart,” said Job.
“Although Sweethart has a new owner now (Laurence Pidgeon), the rivalry remains.
“It’s all fun though at the end of the day and we always look forward to arriving at Keppel Bay Marina where you get looked after and they put on a fantastic party for the sailors,” continued Job.
The traditional gunfire will be made at 1500 hours on Friday 6 August with the start line set east of Green Island on Moreton Bay. Spectators are welcomed to the area to farewell the yachts as they embark on the 348 nautical mile course up the tropical Queensland coast finishing off Keppel Bay Marina.
This year each yacht will have a satellite GPS tracker attached to their boat supplied by UK company Yellowbrick. The trackers will be updated every 15 minutes for the duration of the race making it easier for virtual spectators to watch the action unfold.
Those not sailing can also stay up-to-date through social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. There will also be exclusive race information sent directly to those who register their mobile number through the race website.
“There is no reason for anyone to miss a moment of the action,” said race organiser Suellen Hurling.
“We are implementing as much technology as we can so we can bring the race closer to those who were unable to make it this year.”
A Yellowbrick tracker will also be attached to the radio relay vessel Harbour Island.
The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is part of Queensland Tourisms Season of Sailing calendar and is proudly sponsored by O’Reilly’s Real Estate, Angove Wines, Morgan’s Seafood, Capricorn Tourism, Rockhampton Regional Council, Rosslyn Bay Resort and of course Club Marine.
The race is hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron with the support of Keppel Bay Marina, Keppel Bay Sailing Club, Capricorn Cruising Yacht Club, Yeppon Coast Guard and Bundaberg VMR.
Race Website: http://www.brisbanetokeppel.com
Out Front
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
With the entry of the 98 foot maxi Lahana in the Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race, a three way battle will evolve for line honours and perhaps the race record between her and the two Reichel Pugh 66 footers Black Jack and Wild Oats X. Common sense would suggest the 98 footer will win a canter, but canter is the operative word. Both the RP66s have canting keels, Lahana does not.
Whilst the canting keels give these two a big advantage in a reaching race, allowing them to be driven harder it is also indicative of the nature of the boats. Black Jack and Wild Oats X are both set up with no expense spared or any concession to speed. This no holds barred attitude is reflected in the crews of the three boats. Both 66 footers will have the crack crews, with some of the cream of Australian yachting aboard. Lahana on the other hand has a more laid back approach to racing.
As Lahana’s owner Peter Millard says “Our form to date as a big boat has not been all that competitive and we live in hope Steve Bradbury style. However we certainly enjoy a low key max fun approach to our offshore yachting; albeit with 25 thirsty crew plus family and friends we can generate our own low pressure system in most clubhouse bars and that’s almost as much fun as a win!”
“As a Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron member it will be a thrill to be back on Moreton Bay once again for our first Keppel race start with Lahana and heading in the right direction away from a chilly Sydney winter. It will be great to see the two RP66 canters slug it out and we hope to hang in there with them to watch it.”
Maybe Peter is selling his boat a little short: surely if the wind is moderate the huge waterline length advantage of Lahana will allow her to glide into Keppel Bay ahead of her two smaller rivals. Mark (Squark) Bradford, skipper of Black Jack, feels they can beat Lahana, noting that the big boat seems to have it share of moments on the water and a few retirements. He does temper his enthusiasm with the acknowledgment of Lahana’s size and power.
Squark is upbeat about a number of points in this year’s race; the battle for line honours and the duel with Wild Oats X being but two of them. He believes the two RP66 are of identical speed and in 21 races between the pair it is 11 to 10 in Oat’s favour. He says “most of the time it is very close, usually the one that wins the start goes on to beat the other”.
Squark also feels with the quality of entries that the race itself; has now developed to a point where it is a major part of the Australian yachting calendar and sees a dilution of Sydney’s dominance in the sport. He went on to say “It is exciting to see quality Sydney boats coming to race with us in our waters”.
In Squark’s opinion another exciting aspect is the show case of competitive 40 footers in this race and on Moreton Bay. He points out it is similar to the strength of 50 footers that has blossomed on Port Phillip Bay; once again a good thing for Australian yachting as it decentralizes the Sydney power base.
Another interesting point is that whilst those three big boats will be blasting away out front, they will be closely watching the yacht tracker and noting the radio scheds to see just how the slower boats are doing. No doubt also hoping that the wind will soften behind and allow them the line honours, IRC and race record. In 2009 that treble that was taken out by Black Jack, in the race record time of 29 hours 24 minutes and 11 seconds.
You can bet Mark Richards and his Wild Oats X crew will have a firm eye on that record and setting one of their own.
By: Mystery Yacht Racer
The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is the signature event of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. The race starts at 1500 hours on Friday 6th August.
Alegria IV and Wedgetail
Monday, July 5th, 2010
In a boat yard just north of Brisbane the finishing touches are being applied to Rod Jones’ latest weapon the modified GP42 Alegria IV (A4). A4 has been shipped out of Europe and has been undergoing major works to transform her into a competitive IRC ocean racer. Amongst other works she has had a new keel bulb made and fitted, new rudder and twin wheels to replace her tiller steering along with a long fixed bow sprit for her asymmetrical spinnakers.
It is easy to design a yacht that goes fast through the water – you make it light with a deep keel and you put lots of sail on it. The trick is to make a small racing yacht (under 50 foot) fast but still able to rate well under the IRC rule. The IRC rule is well known to favour racing yachts of between 50 to 65 feet. They have a number of advantages; but do seem to be able to carry more sail without the percentage penalty 30 to 45 footers get.
A4 is light at around 4700kg and she carries a lot of sail and more than the Bill Wild owned Welbourne 42 Wedgetail. There is no doubt she will be very quick through the water. The question is how high will she rate under IRC? There is also no doubt she will rate higher than Wedgetail and as such must beat Wedgie over the finish line at Rosslyn Bay. Will she be far enough ahead? The race between these two boats will be fascinating.
In the light airs of the 2008 race Wedgetail was sticky as her fat, wide transom got glued to the water and she was beaten over the line by the much lower rating (and usually much slower) Bribie Star. If it goes light will A4 suffer the same way, or will her Mediterranean breeding show with speed in the light? If she is slow in soft air, both these yachts will have a pack of six Farr 40s all around them.
Rod Jones at the wheel will have with him the same crew that has won two IRC Australian Championships and they will be every bit a match for the excellent crew of Wedgetail. Bill Wild’s yacht won this year’s Brisbane to Gladstone Race and smashed the fleet in the Fairway Challenge (a 100 mile warm up race). A few weeks later the very slick and shrewd crew of Wedgie then showed they can sail short course racing by winning the Queensland IRC Championship. You can bet the Wedgie crew will be busting their balls to beat A4 to Keppel!
As both skippers know, ocean racing is more than just speed and skill; you do need to have luck on your side. So often you can have a brilliant first day and in the small hours run out of wind, then watch as the fleet sails around and away from you. Both these yachts will need luck to beat a very good fleet of yachts and win the Keppel Race, however with a little good luck either of this pair can do just that.
By the Mystery Yacht Racer