Some of the country’s highest profile yachts and crews are to take part in what will be one of the most competitive Australian Yachting Championships on record, when the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania hosts racing on the River Derwent, Storm Bay and d’Entrecasteaux Channel from 3-5 January. 

Riding on the back and the 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will act as a catalyst in bringing a larger number and variety to the Championships. The location will also serve the locals, with high-profile Tasmanians eager to leave their imprint in local waters.

Phillip Turner’s Alive from Tasmania is the reigning Rolex Sydney Hobart champion, and the Reichel/Pugh 66 design is among those that will make their debut at the Championships, which is open to IRC rated boats. 

Another newcomer, Ed Psaltis will have 38 Sydney Hobarts behind him (including winning the 1998 race), when the Championships start. Originally from Sydney, Psaltis relocated to Tasmania with his Sydney 36 early last year, where he has been competing regularly.

“I thought I’d give it a go. I’ve been doing the whole IRC program here, both inshore and offshore, and so far so good,” Psaltis said of Midnight Rambler’s performance. “We’ve won four from four races this season and we’re doing the Maria Island Race on Friday night. 

“I will have a fully Tasmanian crew for the Championships and we’re feeling quietly hopeful, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. The good thing is the three divisions, so we’ll be racing against boats of similar ilk in Division 3,” Psaltis remarked of boats such as Bruce Taylor’s Caprice 40, Chutzpah and Shaun Tiedemann’s Philosopher. 

Above image: Chutzpah at close quarters with Ikon in Division 3 last year - Caitlin Baxter - Aus Yachting Champs

“Our major challenge will be Philosopher for sure; they’ve won it twice. They’re doing the Maria Island race too, so that will be telling,” he said of Tiedemann’s similar boat, a modified Sydney 36 cruiser/racer, which is yet to enter. “I’ve heard they’ll be there,” Psaltis said.

I expect the Championships will be very competitive, but Midnight Rambler is going well and has good boat speed. We’re looking forward to it,” he ended.
 
With entry still open, other states are also well prepared in advance. Victorian Mark Welsh has entered Wicked, the Beneteau First 40 he sailed to a close second overall in the 2009 Sydney Hobart, while Anthony Kirke will remain in Hobart with his West Australian crew and Farr 40, Enterprise.

NSW will be well-represented too. Craig Neil and Bob Steel’s TP52, Quest, is among the early entries. The 2008 and 2015 Sydney Hobart winner finished second to Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban in the 2017 race, just 10 minutes stood between them. Allen will also be at the Championships, aiming to make it a hat trick in Division 1, having won the past two years. 

In an effort to recognise the importance of passage racing, for the first time since its inception in 2011, the Championships will use the score of the Rolex Sydney Hobart as the first race of the series for Division 1 boats only. Those boats will then be able to change their configuration consistent with their IRC certificates under which they enter the Australian Yachting Championships. The event will also incorporate windward/leeward races. 

Above image: Hooligan and Ambition cross tacks last year - Caitlin Baxter - Aus Yachting Champs

To enter, please go to: www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb/1134

For all information, please visit: www.yachtingchamps.org.au

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