Farrs head for South Beach

4 November kick off for the annual Rolex Farr One Design Regatta

Early autumn weather always prompts sailors to think of where they’ll head for the winter. For the Farr 40 and Mumm 30 classes, South Beach, Florida is the perfect spot to 'tune up' for a winter of southern racing. Stagg Yachts has joined forces with Rolex Watch USA, the Storm Trysail Club and the Mumm 30 and Farr 40 Class Associations to organise the 2005 Rolex Farr One Design Invitational. Farr 40s will race four days in an 11-race series, November 3-6, 2005, while the Mumm 30s have a three-day, nine race series starting on 4 November. Racing will be held on the Atlantic Ocean, south of Government Cut. Class winners will be awarded specially engraved Rolex watches.

This is the first regatta organised by the newly created Stagg Yachts. When asked about the development of the combination event, Stagg Yachts President Geoff Stagg said, "The timing was right and we knew the venue, with headquarters at the Miami Beach Marina, was perfect. We have held other regattas there in the Fall/Winter season, and the owners in both classes wanted to return, so we decided to build on that enthusiasm."

Stagg estimates that 15-18 Farr 40s and 15+ Mumm 30s will participate. The cosmopolitan destination will draw competitors from around the world. Farr 40s and Mumm 30s are expected in each class from Italy, German, Monaco, Norway, France, Canada and across the U.S.

Known as one of the most competitive one design classes in the world, the Farr 40 fleet expects past Farr 40 world champions Steve and Maxine Phillips' Le Renard and two-time European champions Massimo Mezzaroma and Antonio sodo Migliori on Nerone, as well as notable foreign entries Mascalzone Latino skippered by Vincenzo Onorato; Norwegian Steam owned by Eivind Astrup; and Twins owned by Frenchman Erik Maris.

"We are coming to Miami because we try to follow the Farr 40 circuit around the world," said Maris, who purchased his first boat two years ago. "It has been and remains the most competitive one-design racing in the world." With Maris will be Philippe Presti, an accomplished Finn and Star class sailor, who is currently racing with Luna Rossa, the America’s Cup challenger.

The destination clearly appeals to the owners. "Sailing in South Beach during late fall, after the sailing season and before the skiing season in Norway, is a treat," said Astrup. "Although Norway is the best country to live in on the entire globe (according to a recent U.N. study), it is quite chilly here at that time." Astrup will have tactician Morten Henriksen onboard.

In addition to the competitve Farr 40 class racing, the regatta will double as the Mumm 30 North American Championship. Deneen Demourkas and her crew aboard the Mumm 30 Groovederci, will try to defend the 2005 North American Championship that they won in Key West last January against fleet standouts such as Turbo Duck owned by Bodo and Nick von der Wense and TeamBold skippered by Nelson Stephenson, the second and third place boats, respectively, from last year's NA Championship. Jim Richardson will of course be sailing Barking Mad, his Farr 40 world champion in 2004 in the two-day Farr 40 Match Race regatta on 1-2 November, then switching to his Mumm 30 for the fleet racing. Newly crowned Mumm 30 European champion Peter de Ridder will be competing with his Dutch crew aboard Mean Machine.

Stephenson, the Mumm 30 Class and World Council President said about the 2005 Mumm 30 North American Championship sponsored by Rolex, "As one of the leading one design classes in the world, the North American Mumm 30 Class expects an extremely competitive regatta and quality racing in some of the best sailing conditions in the world this coming November. All the teams will be bringing their "A" games to Miami and I expect it to be a very difficult North American Championship for a Mumm 30 team to win."

For Deneen Demourkas, who will sail the Mumm 30 Groovederci while her husband John sails their similarly named Farr 40, sailing in the Mumm 30 class is a challenge. "We are looking forward to our first regatta in Miami since 2001," she said. "We couldn't think of a better place to gather in the month of November with our friends in both fleets for what promises to bring excellent racing conditions and good times."

For John Podmajersky, Mumm 30 racing promises nothing but the best. "Racing in Miami includes good conditions, great race management, and top-notch competitors," said Podmajersky, who will be joined by tactician Max Skelley onboard Illusion . "We expect this regatta to be the largest and most competitive of 2005. South Beach has become one of the most anticipated regatta locations for me over the years. I get the great competition of the best Mumm 30 sailors during the day, an end of day round of drinks at Monty’s, and the evenings are spent enjoying the great food and culture that is so much a part of South Beach, who wouldn’t look forward to this event!"

Regatta headquarters will be at Monty’s and Miami Beach Marina. "With title sponsorship from Rolex and race administration by the Storm Trysail Club, and having Luigi (Peter Reggio) in the mix as PRO, we have a proven formula for success," added Stagg. "The regatta builds on a productive relationship with Rolex, which has sponsored the Farr 40 World Championships for the last five years." (Rolex also will sponsor the 2006 World Championships for the Farr 40 class next September in Newport, R.I.)
Supporting sponsors for the event will be long-term class partners North Sails and Champagne Mumm with host hotels the Avalon and South Seas Hotel.