Interesting split

Sydney 38 fleet now includes a silver fleet to encourage and reward newer crews to the class

The Sydney 38 class has established a silver fleet for newer and more club level teams to ensure their efforts are recognised. The Sydney 38 class sees it as an important step in ensuring that the entire fleet is supported and encouraged.

Martin Thompson of Sydney Yachts commented 'There are more than 50 Sydney 38's in Australia now with different ones in almost every regatta. With fleets as large as 27 boats' racing, there is a reasonable cross section of skill levels, some of the crews have been together for four seasons already and some are still learning each other's names'.
This new division within the One Design Fleet gives the newer and less experienced teams a performance goal to which they can aspire as well as having their progress and results recognised.

The three newest members of the fleet, Chris Lobb's Uncensored (MHYC), Martin and Lisa Hill's Estate Master (MHYC) and Tony Levett's Eleni (RSYS) were on debut at the 2004 Nationals, and what a stage to debut on!

The first Silver fleet division was formed for the 2004 Sydney 38 Nationals, raced as part of the Joico Offshore Nationals off Pittwater last week.

It was won by Robin Tedder on Stonybroke (MHYC), second was The Bigger Picture (RPAYC) and third was Martin Hill's 3 month old Estate Master (MHYC), showing just how competitive the new owners can be. The rousing applause at the presentation from their peers, in recognition for these teams sailing well beyond expectations, was evidence of the strong support and endorsement of this award.

Robin's crew commented: 'we had a fantastic regatta and consistently sailed better than we had up to that time. Whilst not in the top three overall, it was however a fantastic feeling to have our progress in the class recognised by our fellow competitors. Having the crew up at the presentation receiving the trophy was the perfect way of capping off a great week of racing'.