The former champion Sydney yacht Philosopher again dominated AMS and IRC rating results in yesterday’s Combined Clubs Harbour Series on the Derwent.
With Derwent Sailing Squadron two windward/leeward courses in the 18 knot south-east to easterly breeze for Divisions 1 and 2, Philosopher won every AMS and IRC rated category, but was unplaced under the PHS system.
Philosopher, a Sydney 36cr, is now owned in Hobart by DSS manager Shaun Tiedemann with his son Sam on the helm, along with a crew of talented young Hobart sailors.
Philosopher has notched up four wins and a fifth place on corrected time in its first summer pennant series on the Derwent, leading the AMS category on 9 points, just one point ahead of the consistent Mumm 36 B&G Advantage (Jeff Cordell) on 10 points. In third place on 13 points is Tas Paints (Ian Stewart).
X&Y leading War Games in DIvision 1 on Saturday,
First place under PHS scoring for Division 1 in both races went to boat-builder Toby Richardson’s Barrett-designed fast 40-footer X&Y, to give the boat a significant overall lead from Philosopher and Tas Paints.
Division 2 saw a continuation of the duel between two Young 88s, Chris Sheehan’s Saga and Scott Brain and Steve Chau’s Young Lion, with Saga winning both races yesterday and Young Lion second in each race.
Ben Davidson’s First Light won the one harbour race for Division 4, the third race of the season for this division and leads the series with 6 points, ahead of Hornet (Neville Georgeson) and Serica (Charles Peacock) both on 8 points.
Harbour racing on the Derwent yesterday.
In Division 6, Peter Alcock sailed his Mottle 33 Kindred Spirit to a win in Division 6 to level the pointscore with Innovator (Ian Smith) on 9 points. One point back is Astra lobe (Peter Bosworth) which finished second yesterday.
Next weekend is the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s 180 nautical mile Maria Island ocean race, starting Friday evening.
Words: Peter Campbell
Photos: Michelle Denney
