With the 226 nautical mile Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race starting from Barrenjoey headland on the 2nd of January, competitors were taking advantage of the ideal conditions as preparation for this prestigious ocean race.

In the IRC handicap division, the Sydney 40 Sledgehammer, owned by Ron Jones won the day with a win in Race 3 and a fourth placing in Race 4. A mature age university student, Jones was very pleased with the performance of his Sydney 40 Sledgehammer `Today the `Rubber Mallet` bounced back! I have a very loyal team that has stuck with me, so I was pleased for them that we recorded good results` said Jones. When asked what he was studying at university, he replied `Sailing!`

Avanti, the Northshore 369 owned by Ken Murphy continued her good form to record a second placing on IRC in Race 4. Helmsman Jason Rowed said `Conditions were great, but still tricky. There is a lot of southerly current, so the race to Coffs Harbour will be tough`.

The leading Sydney 38 One Design Teamsail Tazzie 2 recorded a third placing in Race 3. Sailing onboard the yacht was the boat's designer Andy Dovell. `The close racing between the Sydney 38's is great. Sure, we race on IRC, but the real race for us is to be the first Sydney 38 to the finish`.

Race 4 saw the consistent 50 footer Heaven Can Wait record a victory on IRC handicap. Rick Welch's Sydney 38 The Bolter gain second, with another Sydney 38, Michael Hill's Blue Sky in third place.

Heaven Can Wait's veteran owner Warren Johns commented `The wind built after we finished the race three, so the smaller boats cleaned up, but we came away with a win in the last race of the day. We prefer the stronger breezes. We hope the strong northerlies continue for the race north to Coffs in the new year`.

Yesterday's winner of two races under IRC handicap Dark and Stormy Witch recorded placing of 14th and 5th today.

Gary Bremner sailing his yacht Enticer had a big day out in recording two wins in the PHS handicap division. She's Apples Two, owned by Max Prentice and Brian Saunders Fireball were 2nd and 3rd respectively in Race 3. Race 4 saw Ivan Resnekov's Farr Horizons gain second place, with Midnight Oil owned by Heath Campbell come in 3rd. Ron Ellis's Future Shock won over the line in Race 3, but she retired in Race 4, handing the line honours victory to John Woodruff's The Dreamtime.

This was a remarkable reversal of form for Enticer, which recorded two placing's of 20th on PHS handicap yesterday.

Progressive results for the Strathfield Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Series after 4 races (of 7 to be completed)

IRC Handicap Division Overall (45 entries)
1st Heaven Can Wait Warren Johns 11 points 2nd Dark and Stormy Witch Jim King 21 pts 3rd The Business Grant Halliday 22 pts 4th De Light Nick Delaine 23 pts 5th Avanti Ken Murphy 24 pts

PHS Handicap Division Overall (42 entries)
1st Midnight Oil Heath Campbell 11 pts 2nd Farr Horizons Ivan Resnekov 18 pts 3rd Turkey Shoot Dave Thomas 19.5 pts 4th Gonenumbyet John Lockwood 21 pts 5th Fireball Brian Saunders 22pts

Source: Andrew Palfrey Media and Publicity