Small Boat Looks Good For IRC

Game Set, the Bavaria Match 38 is set to take on the giants in this years 469 nautical mile race. Launched in late 2003 this little rocket has shown that it is capable of being on the podium and should be taken seriously in the IRC division.

Taking third place in the IRC division three in January in the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race, skipper of Game Set Tony KIRBY, then focused on the Joico Offshore Championships recently held off Pittwater. Also racing in the IRC division was Bob STEEL’S Quest and Matt ALLEN’S Ichi Ban, both recent winners in this hotly contested handicap division.

Game Set proved she is a force to be reckoned with when they challenged for the top spots during the five days of racing. After day four of racing Game Set was leading the IRC division with a first and second places in the two windward /leeward races. Final places in the IRC division had Game Set in third after a well-sailed regatta.

“We have optimised the boat for reaching and running conditions, traditional for the Sydney to Mooloolaba race. We have also gone with the deep version of the Match 38 keel which is deeper and thinner and has proved to be no slower upwind and faster downwind,” commented Kirby at the race briefing.

The Bavaria designed yacht is proving popular in Australia with a Match 42 soon to be launched onto the Australian racing circuit. Rob ‘Robo’ ROBERTSON will be campaigning the Match 42 starting with the Sydney to Southport race in July then north for the Whitsundays to race at Hog’s Breath Race Week and Hamilton Island Race Week.

Kirby and Robo have done many ocean miles together over the years and are looking forward to putting the little boat to the test again in this years Sydney to Mooloolaba race.

It will be interesting to see how the Match 38 stacks up against the established Sydney 38, of which five are entered, racing under IRC.