Ellis takes Twilight series opener

Sam Crichton reports on the Farr 40 racing in Sydney

Ten of the Farr 40 Australian fleet lined up today for the first day of the Alfa Romeo Twilight series. Sailing in a 15-20 knot sou'easter, Dennis McDonald's One Step Ahead took the boat end of the start line and once in the lead sailed a great race to stay there.
McDonald was to be beaten by 10 seconds at the line by Steve Ellis's Buon Giorno, after they both rounded the last mark at the same time.

Ellis's tactician Steve McConaghy, who recently won the 11 metre World Championships at Pittwater, manoeuvred the boat into the front and held McDonald out on the last beat of the race.

Matt Allen steering Kokomo sailed a consistent race to finish third over the line just on front of last year's series winner Dick Voorderhake's Rapscallion. The turquoise hull of Steve O'Rourke's Panther stood out on the start line when they were just over which ended their day with an OCS.

First time Farr 40 skipper Tony Walls, who is steering Smile and racing as Acuity, sailed well in his first race in the one design fleet, at times placed in the top five of the fleet at mark rounding's.

Racing continues tomorrow evening with the last race of the series on Thursday night.

Day 1 Results:

1 Buon Giorno (S.Ellis - RPAYC)
2 One Step Ahead (D.McDonald - CYCA)
3 Kokomo (M.Allen - CYCA)
4 Rapscallion (D. Voorderhake - CYCA)
5 Corinthian Doors (R.Perini - RSYS)
6 Emotional Hooligan (M.Blackmore - RPAYC)
7 Weapon (R.Skinner - CYCA)
8 Acuity (T.Walls - CYCA)
9 Valley Tram (K.Miller -RQYS)
10. Panther (S.O'Rourke - CYCA)