Alfa Team Wins First Race

It was an auspicious start to the Alfa Romeo Farr 40 Summer Regatta when Team Shockwave crossed the line more than a minute ahead of her nearest rivals in the first race of the four-day series.

Team Shockwave’s owner driver Neville Crichton is the principal of Ateco, the company which imports Australia’s Alfa Romeos.

The Summer Regatta is a warm-up series prior to the start of Farr 40’s annual program. The five-day twilight series began Monday, February 18 from host club, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Kirribilli. In a pleasant twilight, Sydney’s wet weather held off for most of the race. The mostly southerly winds, although flukey, ranged from 8-12 knots.

“We had a comfortable win,” said Team Shockwave’s tactician Michael Coxon.”We were lucky enough to get the break up the first beat from Smile and Weapon (2nd & 3rd respectively). They were fighting amongst themselves and we had the opportunity to maintain a loose cover and play the shifts more. It allowed us to take the lead.”

Farr 40 owners are those who relish the “hands on” experience of sailing their own boats. The Farr 40 One Design class is a grand prix racing yacht in which it is compulsory for the owner, rather than a professional helmsman, to take the helm. Professional crew must be in the minority.

Nine boats are competing in the series including Marcus Blackmore, (Emotional Hooligan), Class President Richard Perini (Corinthian Doors) and the Farr 40 OD Association’s newest member, Lang Walker on Kokomo.

Results, Race 1, Elapsed Time:

1. Team Shockwave (N. Crichton) 0: 45: 32
2. Smile (S. Whiston) 0: 46: 40
3. Weapon (R. Skinner) 0: 47: 01