Clash of the Danes

Sam Crichton reports from the annual X-Yacht regatta on Sydney Harbour

Perfect autumn conditions greeted the 10 boats that made up the fleet in the fifth annual X-Yachts regatta held on Sydney Harbour.

Ranging from 33-44ft in size the handicap fleet raced a windward-leeward course from Clifton Gardens to Rose Bay.

Defending champion and winner for the last two years, Howard De Torres skippering Nips 'n Tux, returned from a successful Sydney to Mooloolaba race to compete in the event. De Torres has also taken out the CYCA's Bluewater Point score for IMS, Cape Byron Series for IRC and Tasman Performance Series for PHS for the 03/04 season.

The fleet raced in a light easterly breezed that topped 12 knots during the days racing. A ship heading out the harbour split the fleet in the first start and Sextant steered by new owner Denis Doyle took advantage of the situation to put some distance on the rest of the fleet who let the ship pass. "We had a fantastic regatta and were pleasantly surprised at the boat's performance, to be able to beat the defending champion Howard De Torres was a thrill as well," commented Doyle. "We plan to compete in the BMW Winter Series then the Sydney to Gold Coast race and hopefully the Gosford to Lord Howe and Rolex Sydney to Hobart races later this year."

Two new yachts to the fleet, the X43s have had positive results with Great Xpectations skippered by Rod Wills finishing third in IRC class A in the Coffs Harbour Series earlier this year. White Satin owned by Bill and Nevine Neill won the CYCA's Autumn SOPS series on IRC and PHS with North South Yachting's Andrew Parkes onboard for the X Yacht regatta and the Autumn series.

X-Knox was skippered by Tony Kirby from North South Yachting in the first race then race two saw 'TK' venture forward to the bow with Bob Mulkearns from North South Yachting steering for the second race.

Neil Edwards steering his X332 Xanthe, the smallest boat in the fleet, placed fifth in the overall placings. Edwards will be trading up to a Bavaria 44 in the next month.

Steering his X442 Toy Box, the largest boat in the fleet, Ian Box is a regular on Sydney harbour during the year and is also a supporter of the Whitsundays racing. Box, the Commodore of Middle Harbour Yacht Club finished third overall after a second and third in the series. He also won the Line Honours trophy.

"It was an enjoyable autumn day with all owners old and new having a great day of racing and socialising" commented Tony Kirby.