| SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA-(1-11-2003) The Inner Circle Rum Farr 40 Regatta was sailed off Barrenjoey Head near Pittwater today in a westerly breeze of 15 knots that shifted to the south during the day and increased from 10 to 22 knots. Richard Perini on Corinthian Doors took the regatta point score lead on six points after finishing 3,1,2 today.
Brett Ellis steering Buon Giorno had a great start in the first race and maintained his position within the fleet to finish second over the line. The right side of the course on the last down wind leg of the race paid dividends for Dick Voorderhake on Rapscallion who took the gun in the first race. Kevin Miller on Valley Tram managed to pull back three boats on the last upwind leg and finished fourth across the line.
An individual recall for Lang Walker on Kokomo at the start of race two didn't help his position as the fleet favoured the pin end of the start line. The right side of the course was a good tactical choice for Gordon Maguire, tactician for Dennis McDonald on One Step Ahead, on the first work rounding the top mark in second position, with Rapscallion having an issue hoisting their spinnaker. Valley Tram made great gains on the downwind run to round the bottom mark in first place. Marcus Blackmore on Emotional Hooligan had to do a penalty turn during the race, which cost them valuable places. The finish of race two saw a two second split between first and third with Corinthian Doors just holding out Rob Skinner on Weapon and Buon Giorno.
Weapon charged out of the blocks with pace at the start of the third race and held the lead right to the finish line. After the first mark rounding the race committee moved the top mark due to a 20-degree shift in the breeze. At the last mark rounding, both Valley Tram and Buon Giorno had problems with their spinnakers wrapping around their headsails, which cost them valuable time.
Racing will continue tomorrow with three races planed to complete the Inner Circle Rum Regatta.
Provisional results after day one:
1st Corinthian Doors (R.Perini - RSYS) 3,1,2 6
2nd Weapon (R.Skinner - CYCA) 5,2,1 8
3rd Rapscallion (D.Voorderhake - CYCA) 1,5,4 10
4th Buon Giorno (B.Ellis - RPAYC) 2,3,6 11
5th Valley Tram (K.Miller - RQYS) 4,4,7 15
6th One Step Ahead (D.McDonald - CYCA) 9,7,3 19
7th Panther (Steve O'Rourke - CYCA) 6,6,9 21
8th Kokomo (L.Walker - CYCA) 8,9,5 22
9th Emotional Hooligan (M.Blackmore - RPAYC) 7,8,8 23
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