With the 2020-2021 sailing season underway, the Farr 9.2 fleet is in full swing, with plenty of competitive racing across the thirteen boats. It has been a great start to the season so far, with the pre-season cocktail party, the first Farr 9.2 Metro Series heat for the 2020-2021, and lots of club racing too.
To launch the season’s sailing events, the Farr 9.2 association held the traditional pre-season cocktail party, this year hosted by Angela and Mario Tascone at their lovely home. With tasty South American bites by El Argentino catering, and some impromptu musical accompaniment from the talented Wilna Cornelisse (from not-quite-a-9.2 Reflections), the teams had a great night to celebrate the upcoming season, and a return to the summer competition.
As has become custom at the pre-season party, Helen and James Baker kindly presented trophies for our informal winter series competition, awarded to the teams with the most across-the-line wins within the 9.2 fleet over the Wednesday winter races. Itinerant (Mark Hansen) took a solid first-place, with 11 wins, Farrlap (Andrew Hossen) second and Lionheart (Warren Westaway) third.
RPYC opening day has always been a big event on the 9.2 calendar, not just being the return to Saturday racing at the club, but also comprising the first heat of the all-important 2020/2021 Farr 9.2 Metro Series. As if by schedule, the weather gave us a classic summer south-westerly breeze, aligning the starting leg to a reach downriver. Each with the title-deeds to their sheepstations in hand, the fleet of eight keen 9.2s made their way across the start line to Bricklanding A and B marks. Unfortunately, the team on Elusive (Richard Brisbane-Cohen) may have been a little too keen to start the series, crossing the line early for an eventual OCS on results.
Even though the course had been shortened to accommodate opening day events, the race gave the fleet two reaches and two spinnaker runs, including a moderately shy run from Inner Dolphin Spit to the finish line. With the shorter course, the race saw a lot of close-quarters sailing, and plenty of opportunities for tactical racing. Starting with a small lead at the first mark, The Black Smoke (Jeremy Kerr) took line honours, with Seahawk (Pat Jones) chasing close behind. Handicap results had The Black Smoke first, Seahawk second, and Frenzy (Murray Rowe) third.
Following on from opening day, the Farr 9.2 fleet have been sailing well in the Saturday Division 2 Combined series, with new entrants Dragonheart (John Da Silva), collecting a first in race one (Dragonheart’s first in Divison 2), and Frenzy first in race two. Well done to both.
Wednesday racing has also seen the 9.2s well-represented on the podium, also with new contender Toravean (Michael Hulbert & Ken Stokes) picking up their first first flag, after a great sail in a fresh breeze in race two.
Heats two and three of the Farr 9.2 Metro Series will take the fleet over to South of Perth Yacht club for two Saturdays in November, then returning to RPYC in early December. For the full schedule and results, check out the other posts on this website.
