2008 Results and Reports

Sputnik wins the Farr 40 Sprint Series

After eight intense races over the last two days Ivan Wheen’s Sputnik sailed a consistent regatta to win the event.  Racing on Saturday was off the Macquarie lighthouse outside Sydney Heads and with five sprint races in a constant 15 knot sou’south east breeze the ten teams racing maintained maximum effort until the end.

The sprint race format provided intense short races with every move made on each leg having an impact on the final race result.  Every race,  which took on average 35 minutes, was a case of constant manoeuvres as the fleet remained in touch with each other for the entire length of the one mile legs.

Sputnik led the way after winning three of the five races on day one with Brett Neill’s White Cloud winning race two of the series and Lang Walker’s Kokomo winning race three.

Day two and the fleet moved the race course to Sydney Harbour and with the Sunday harbour traffic adding extra challenges the fleet raced from Taylor’s Bay across the harbour to Rose Bay.

Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan won the first race of day two with the rest of the fleet in close contact.  “We had a bit on on the short harbour courses but we enjoyed sprint series format.  Our tactician (Cameron Dunn) did a fantastic job picking the shifts”, remarked Blackmore after finishing second overall.

Class newcomer Graeme Wood and his team on Wot Now sailed their best race of the series to finish third in race six.  “We had a great regatta and it’s a pleasure to sail with a crew who are all learning about the class together”, said Wood after racing.

Sputnik took their fourth win of the series after a large cargo ship split the fleet in two and  had the ten boats all rounding the bottom mark in quick succession.

The last race of the series and the breeze fluctuated in strength as the fleet raced their final three lap race.  Lisa and Martin Hill’s Estate Master took the final gun and Queenslander Russell McCart’s Night Nurse, sailing in their first Farr 40 class event, finished off the series on a high note finishing third in race eight.

“It’s been very close but fair racing over the two days.  There was a variety of conditions and we really enjoyed the inshore racing.  I’m really impressed with the teams who have travelled to Sydney to race and it’s great to welcome new owners and crew to the class”, commented Wheen.

The final event in the 2007-08 Australian Farr 40 Circuit, the 2008 Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship will be held February 22-24 and will be hosted by Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

2008 Farr 40 Sprint Series Final Results:

Pl. Yacht Owner/Skipper Total
1 Sputnik Ivan Wheen 25
2 Hooligan Marcus Blackmore 29
3 Kokomo Lang Walker 30
4 Estate Master Lisa and Martin Hill 39
5 Transfusion Guido Belgiorno Nettis 41
6 White Cloud Brett Neill 50
7 Orion Michael Blumentals 50
8 Wot Now Graeme Wood 53
9 Night Nurse Russell McCart 61
10 Revolution Edake Jeff Carter 63

For more information please go to www.farr40.org or  contact Sam Crichton ph # +61 0407 63 64 16 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.