Early lead for Optimumm

A 2,2,1 for Stenning at Australian M30 Nationals

After racing three races on Sydney’s iconic harbour - local sailor Guy Stening’s and his crew on Optimumm lead the 10 boat M30 fleet at the 2008 M30 Australian Championship. The race track for the fleet was set off Athol Bay, near Taronga Zoo, across to Rushcutters Bay on the southern side of Sydney Harbour.

Racing in a shifty southerly breeze that reached 15 knots the 10 boat fleet saw a different winner for each race in this closely contested international one design class. Boats from Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales started out in steady rain that abated during the course of the day.

“There was great competition out there today and the level of competition in this fleet has lifted in the last 12 months since the last class Nationals. Macca ( Optimumm tactician Steve McConaghy) did a great job calling the shifts today; the breeze was really fickle, typical of Sydney Harbour. The majority of our crew sailed with me at the M30 Worlds in Sardinia and we plan to sail with this crew at the 08 M30 Worlds in Newport later this year”, commented a quietly happy Stening.

Class newcomer and first time M30 helmsman Queenslander Chris Tyquin sailed very well today to find his team in second after the first day of racing. “This is the crew’s first race in a M30 today. Michael Dunstan ( GOA/PDL tactician) did a superb job today, local knowledge helps on Sydney Harbour”, said Tyquin who is sailing with his teenage son David as part of the crew.

Returning to race with the M30 crew after 12 months is 2004 M30 Australian Champion Chris Way and his team on Awarua Boat Mate. Five of Way’s crew sailed with him at the recent Sydney 38 Nationals. “We haven’t sailed a M30 since the class Nationals last year and for the third year in a row we are sailing without instruments”, remarked Way after finishing in third overall at the end of day one.

Defending Australian M30 Champion Victorian Bruce Eddington is currently placed fourth overall having won the first race for the regatta.

Racing continues over the weekend with racing for Saturday planned for the Manly Circle off Sydney Heads.

Boat/Owner/Pts

1 Optimumm G.Stening, 5
2 GOA/PDL C.Tyquin, 7
3 Awarua –Boat Mate C.Way, 9
4 K2 B.Eddington, 12
5 Yandoo J.Formosa, 13
6 Cleopatra R.Davis, 19
7 Immigrant J.Paul, 24
8 Don’t Tell Mumm G.Hobson, 25
9 Asterix C.Loel, 25
10 Synergy A.Douglas, 25