Lou Abrahams’ The Next Challenge clinches 2012 Sydney 38 National Championship – Sailing news
After showing some impressive performances on Sydney waters, Lou Abrahams’ The Next Challenge skippered by Mark Bulka has managed to clinch the 2012 Sydney 38 National Championship crown by 26 points after nine races. The crew on board The Next Challenge
showed great resilience during the national championship which was hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
Mark Bulka’s team grabbed a comfortable 12-point win over the second placed Alan & Tom Quick’s Outlaw from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, who finished the championship with 38 points. The 15-boat fleet witnessed a close race at the Palm Beach on the
final day under shifting winds. Three races commenced on the ultimate day to conclude the regatta.
Overall, winds kept fluctuating from lighter shifts to gusty wafts at about 20 knots. The final day of the regatta saw some favourable weather conditions with shifting breezes that blew up to a gusty 20 knots South Easterly. Due to these perfect conditions
for sail, the fleet was able to complete all scheduled races on the last day to make the championship fruitful.
The Next Challenge was already leading the fleet with a sound margin of eight points over the second placed competitors and only needed to contain the pressure over other boats to maintain their lead. The continued their consistent form with 1-6-6 points
on the table at the conclusion of the final day to retain their top podium position that eventually secured them the championship crown.
The SYC-boat led by Bulka claimed the title with an overall 26 points after three day’s racing on Palm Beach waters. With a 12-point difference, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Outlaw hit the second podium spot with 38 points, while Bruce Ferguson’s Whisper
was able to cling to the third place after securing 38 points in nine races.
Top 10 standings at the conclusion of championship:
1. THE NEXT CHALLENGE Lou Abrahams SYC, 6, 6, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2 = 26 points
2. OUTLAW Alan & Tom Quick CYCA, 4, 8, 5, 5, 4, 5, 1, 2, 4 = 38 points
3. WHISPER Bruce Ferguson RPAYC, 5, 2, 6, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 7 = 38 points
4. OLD SCHOOL Mark Griffith RPAYC, 2, 1, 3, 4, 5, 1, 3, 16 Q, 5 = 40 points
5. ZEN Gordon Ketelbey MHYC, 3, 7, 7, 7, 2, 8, 4, 1, 13 = 52 points
6. RISK Anna & Martin Cross RPAYC, 8, 5, 4, 6, 7, 3, 6, 9, 6 = 54 points
7. THE GOAT T. Clift, B. Foye CYCA 1, 9, 2, 1, 12, 10, 10, 8, 12 = 65 points
8. EYE CANDY G.Ward, C. Dawson RPAYC 9, 12, 9, 8, 10, 12, 7, 6, 1 = 74 points
9. CALIBRE G.Bonus, R.Williams CYCA 10, 4, 11, 10, 6, 6, 9, 10, 11 = 77 points
10. AUDACIOUS G.Clinnick, P.Holden RBYC 7, 3, 14, 9, 13, 9, 8, 5, 10 = 78 points
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