Today on Sydney Harbour, the Estate Master Sailing Team won their first Farr 40 regatta – the CYCA Farr 40 regatta – after, according to skipper Martin Hill, their 18th attempt!
They say try, try again and the team’s focus on the small things in their preparation certainly paid off.
After the first day, there was a three way tie between Guido Belgiorno Nettis’ Transfusion and Kokomo, with guest skipper Matt Allen. In a moderate SSE breeze, Kokomo took out the first race, followed by Estate Master, then Transfusion. This result, and the intricacies of the count-back system, meant that the EM team had to beat transfusion and have Kokomo finish 3rd to win the regatta.
EM tactician Nathan Outteridge managed to catch Kokomo by surprise in the pre-start and trap her out side the layline for the pin end of the start line before tacking back and slotting in under Transfusion for the start.
Trasnfusion lead around the first mark but then Nathan pounced again and forced Transfusion to gybe towards less wind. EM lead around the bottom mark and covered Transfusion closely.
Having won the last two regattas, Transfusion wasn’t about to give up and they fought back strongly during a ferocious gybing duel down the last run to be within half a boat length at the finish.
Skipper Hill said “I’m really proud of our team and how we’ve all gelled together. It’s taken 18 attempts, but we’re really happy to win one. Here’s to many more!”
- EM
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