First there was the Queensland state titles in October, then the Tasmanian states last month and today the former Farr 40 world champion sailed away with the NSW crown after five races on Sydney Harbour this weekend.
Canadian born tactician Mike Leigh, an Olympic 470 representative, hit the right side of the course and it paid both times, Transfusion claiming the final two race wins.
“It was a lottery today, we stayed right and it worked for us,” said Belgiorno-Nettis dockside at the host club, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, this afternoon. “Mike Leigh did a fantastic job; we kept our noses clean and got two bullets.”
Yachtscoring.com page for the event. Dates are March 13 - 16, 2013
When it was all over, after a wild and windy week at Quantum Key West 2013, Jim Richardson bought a mudslide for John Demourkas and two veteran owners discussed another regatta filled with close competition.
Such is the nature of the iconic Farr 40 class, which features heavyweight fights out on the water and a Corinthian spirit back at the dock. Barking Mad and Groovederci were docked just a few slips apart at The Galleon and it was a daily occurrence to see the two crews mingling after racing. Richardson and Demourkas exchanged congratulations when warranted while rival tacticians Terry Hutchinson and Cameron Appleton compared notes about decisions made out on the course.
"What makes this class so special is the camaraderie that exists among the owner-drivers. They are fierce competitors, but also true gentlemen," said Geoff Stagg, longtime manager of the Farr 40 one-design fleet. "Things can get quite heated and intense on the race course, but that never carries over to the dock because of the respect these owners have for each other."