2016 Farr 40 NSW State Title – Day 1 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE – 23 JANUARY 2016

Event: 2015/16 Farr 40 Australian Open Series NSW State Title being held 23 & 24 January 2016 at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club, The Spit, Mosman

Transfusion train

Day one of the 2016 Farr 40 NSW State Title commenced today on Sydney Harbour and there was no stopping the Transfusion train showing the Australian One Design fleet how it’s done, with four bullets from four races giving them a six point lead over Kokomo in second place and Kindergarten in third.

John Kostecki has joined the Transfusion team as Tactician for the remainder of the Australian season and then for the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds. Unable to sail today due to a bug he picked up on the flight over from San Francisco, Kostecki was replaced quickly with Bobby Wilmot’s brother Jamie, also known as Sparrow. Given the last minute crew change, Belgiorno-Nettis was pleased to be top of the leaderboard at the end of Day 1. “To present four wins today with the situation we had was quite extraordinary. Hopefully J.K will be feeling better tomorrow and can join us for the final four races. We were extremely lucky that Sparrow was available at the last minute. It’s been at least ten years since we’ve sailed together in the Sydney 38’s and it was great having him aboard”.

When asked if Transfusion could be peaking too early, Belgiorno-Nettis modestly replied, “I have sailed against the four international boats that will be competing at the Worlds and I don’t think we are anywhere near where we need to be to beat them. We need to make our team as strong as possible, so that when we meet with these guys we have half a chance of being equal. I don’t feel confident in that sense at all.”

Lang Walker and the Kokomo crew made a stunning comeback after a two year break from Farr 40 racing, finishing second overall. Tactician David Chapman is enjoying sailing with Kokomo and believes there is plenty of room for improvement. “Lang hasn’t sailed in 18 months and today was our first day together. I’ve sailed with Richi, Bruce and Flanno on the “Ginger” (MC38) programme, so the core team know each other really well and communication is good. I didn’t think I had a great day today tactically. The first two starts weren’t great but we chipped away and worked hard. Lighter winds are forecast for tomorrow which will really suit us allowing a chance to get more boats between us, so watch out.”

The day began with a strong southerly gusting up to 25 knots, which proved challenging conditions for some teams. Exile, Forty and Double Black are looking forward to another opportunity tomorrow to improve their position.

Australian Class President and Kindergarten Skipper Rod Jones is happy to be the leading Corinthian team and on the podium in third place, just three points behind Kokomo.

The competition is tight and the final four races commencing at 11am tomorrow will no doubt be down to the wire.

Results:

Series Results [One Design ET] for D1 up to Race 4

Website: www.farr40.asn.au

Facebook: farrforty

By Jennie Hughes – Farr 40 Class Administrator
Mobile: 0407 387 302