The Yachtsman 2017-2018 The Yachtsman 2017-2018 | Page 15

C L U B YA C H T I N G
C L U B YA C H T I N G
CLUB MARINE
P I T T W AT E R T O PA R A D I S E
T
he diverse fleet in this year’s Club
Marine Pittwater to Paradise
Regatta has hailed the event “a
brilliant way to start the year”
and a great reason to travel north
for summer on the Gold Coast, sight-seeing
and some competitive sailing.
Michael Martin’s TP 52, Frantic arrived
first at Southport Yacht Club on Thursday 4
January at 07:24 AEDT, taking line honours
after 418 nautical miles, compared to nearest
rival Nine Dragons which sailed 398 nautical
miles. They had the Club to themselves for a
few hours and after a shower and well-earned
beverage, they toasted their win over a hearty
breakfast and declared the P2P “The best
race we’ve ever sailed!”.
Ahead of starting the P2P, Frantic made
the return from Hobart, where they came
11th in their Division and 24th over the line.
The P2P was their first win of 2018 and
something the whole crew are very proud of.
“It’s a new race and is gradually making a
name for itself – it’s a great destination,” said
Mick of the P2P, hinting that they would be
keen to enter again in 2019.
Overall winner, Ray Roberts’ Checkmate
of Hollywood, came in fifth place and
was unanimously admired for her looks and
her performance.
The legendary 40 year old, 50-foot,
IOR Doug Peterson design Checkmate
of Hollywood was competing in her first
Australian race and after missing the Sydney
Hobart due to damage on the delivery to the
start line, all eyes were on this classic yacht
and she did not disappoint.
“It was our first Australian race, after
the disappointment of missing the Hobart,”
said Michael Spies. “We backed ourselves.
The competition wasn’t soft. Nine Dragons
is an Australian champion. It wasn’t ideal
conditions for our boat, but the boat lived up
to our expectations – more than!
“Having run grand prix boats for 30
years, with a world champion crew, a mix of
youth and experience, Checkmate was vastly
different. It’s a 40 year old timber boat, not
carbon fibre. She’s a lot harder to steer, but
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YA C H T S M A N R PAY C

Well done to all.
2018 Club Marine Pittwater
to Paradise Regatta Hailed
“Friendliest Race”
more forgiving in motion, not as hard on
the body. It was nice to have a hot meal and
good sleep. We actually had an oven! It just
proves the IRC rule is doing its job.
“Full credit to Ray Roberts and his
enthusiasm for Checkmate and supporting
this event,” continued Spiesy. “He had a
vision and supported getting this boat back
to Australia. For the crew, it was different,
we worked hard without breaking the boat,
learning about it on the way.”
Second over the line and winner of IRC
Division 1, Dk46 Nine Dragons, followed
Frantic a few hours later at 11.28 AEDT,
but enjoyed a close battle with the TP52 in
the early stages of the race.
Nine Dragons’ owner, Bob Cox said his
crew enjoyed “a relatively easy race, with
only a few challenges when the number
4 spinnaker exploded, but the crew did a
great job”.
He was impressed with the fleet and
the event, saying that despite the relatively
small numbers, “competition was intense
and you can’t beat ending up on the Gold
Coast”.
“It’s an enjoyable and worthwhile
race,” Bob continued. “We would seriously
consider coming back next year.” Team
Trophy Winners: NSW - OCL1, Nine
Dragons and Checkmate of Hollywood
Pretty Woman, the Farr 45 co-owned
by RPAYC Commodore, Michael Lockley,
Richard Hudson and Russell Murphy,
shadowed Nine Dragons the whole way
to the Gold Coast, where Pretty Woman
missed slaying the Dragon by just 4 minutes.
The appeal of the P2P, according to
Michael is the mixed bag of conditions
that summer sailing delivers. “We sailed
upwind, downwind, and used every sail.
We enjoyed the full spectrum of sailing. We
used three different spinnakers, as well as
J1, JT and J2.”
Gold Coast yacht, Auric’s Quest arrived
at 12.27 AEDT, fourth across the line.
Owner, Fred Bestall said he and his
crew enjoyed this year’s race and would be
back again in 2019. 
“RPAYC members were very friendly and helpful
especially the competitors we met before the start and at the
finish. We are looking forward to being part of the P2P next
year.”
Salvatore Ridulfo, owner of the First 44.7 Galileo,
expressed his congratulations to all competitors, divisional
winners and sailors, adding “We had an extraordinary
exhilarating sail up the coast. We sailed for more than an
hour with the same large pod of dolphins and we also saw a
couple of large turtles off Fingal head and a spectacular two-
dolphin show just off Main Beach.
“I am impressed by the genuine hospitality and
friendship extended to all of us competitors by the SYC from
Commodore Kerry and all staff members who were all happy
to assist in any way. This was a return to Southport for me
after a few years and I was glad to find that the core values
and spirit of this club have not changed. I know that many
Sydney and Pittwater sailors would seriously consider adding
this event and the subsequent Bartercard Sail Paradise to
their schedule.”
From James Crowley, skipper of Javelin, an enthusiastic
commitment to next year’s event.
“We really enjoyed the P2P and are already considering
doing it again next year, providing we can round up more
crew – six just aren’t enough when you have 30 knots and a
following sea!
“Highlights for us were the few days before the race on
Pittwater and the RPAYC hospitality, getting a new boat
speed record, finishing the race with less crew than ideal and
the SYC hospitality on arrival with the tender to guide us to
our berth (at 10.30pm) and a cold case of beer!”
Occasional Coarse Language One owner, Robert Alder
and crew said they enjoyed the run north this year and
will definitely be back next year to defend her two years
of first yacht under 45 feet. “We would like to attempt the
triumvirate,” said Robert.
“We would like to thank the weather gods granting us a
downwind race from Port Stephens as we love to surf at 175
true in 20 knots plus, sailing above our Polars most of the
ride north.
“Thanks to all crew and particularly Navigator Frank
Walker as we sailed the shortest distance of all yachts, and
found the best breeze and minimum adverse currents all the
way.
We broke racing rule one and let the owners steer all race,
so thanks to co-owner Bill Bailey who steered half the race
and whose shoulders are no doubt as sore as mine as a 40 foot
yacht with a tiller at 175 degrees in 25 knots with the S2 or 3
can be a handful at times.
“I think we only laid her over four times during 
R PAY C YA C H T S M A N
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