Reigning world champion Plenty leads Farr 40 World Championships on Day 1

6 October 2018

Event: 2018 Farr 40 World Championships, 6-9 October hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club

Reigning world champion Plenty leads Farr 40 World Championships on Day 1

The AP flag was hoisted early this morning at the Chicago Yacht Club due to unsettled conditions and the first day of the Farr 40 World Championships was postponed until 1pm. Unpredictable and shifty winds with an average of 20 knots and a fairly large sea state provided challenging conditions for the fourteen boat international fleet.

Three races produced three different winners today showing the strong competition within the fleet. US Boat and reigning Farr 40 Champion Plenty is top of the leaderboard on six points, closely followed by Enfant Terrible in second place and Struntje Light in third.

Edake Owner, Jeff Carter is the only Australian to win a Corinthian World Title (Sydney 2016) and with renowned tactician Jud Smith aboard, the crew are more determined than ever to win the Corinthian trophy.

Carter’s young crew have been sailing together for many years and whilst they are a little disappointed with today’s score of tenth overall, there is plenty of time for the tables to turn.

Smith is a dual J70 World Champion, Etchell World Champion and Doyle Sail maker from Marblehead, Boston who has never sailed with the Edake crew before this week.

Carter chartered John Demourkas’ Farr 40 named Grooverderci for this regatta, which won the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 Worlds held in Long Beach, California. With some fresh EDAKE black letters splashed on the hull, along with a pirate skull and crossbones flag on the forestay, it’s hoped the boat will continue its winning streak.

Gordon Ketelbey chartered Bill Hover’s Forty named Alinghi from Muskegon. The boat has been professionally maintained by a boat captain from New Zealand and the yacht is in great condition.

Chicago is the Farr 40 Australian President’s third world championships and after the first day of racing, Team Zen is in sixth place overall having scored a 4-9-4.

In relation to conditions for tomorrow, PRO John Busch said, “The sea state tomorrow will be larger than today with a predicted breeze of 14-17 knots from the N/NE for most of the day with a bit of light rain for the first start. We plan to get three races in tomorrow, so the Owners can get to the AGM and Owner’s dinner.”

Day 2 of the Farr 40 World Championships will commence at 12noon, Sunday, 7 October 2018.

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Results: https://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eid=5988 By Jennie Hughes Farr 40 Australia Class Administrator M: 0407 387 302 E: farr40australia@gmail.com