Entries Flowing in for Rolex Trophy

• NEWS
• 24 Nov, 2005 04:48:00 PM

Entries Flowing in for Rolex Trophy

Entries are beginning to flow in for the 2005 Rolex Trophy One Design and RatingsSeries to be held in December off Sydney Heads as pre-cursor events to the 61st Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Entries are beginning to flow in for the 2005 Rolex Trophy One Design and Rating Series to be held in December off Sydney Heads as pre-cursor events to the 61st Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Rolex Trophy - One Design Series

The 2005 Rolex Trophy will comprises the One Design series, from 10-12 December, for Farr 40s and Sydney 38s followed by the Rating Series from 15-18 December.

The first entries for the Rolex Trophy - One Design Series have come from the Farr 40 design yachts Evolution (Australia), Ichi Ban (Australia), Venom (New Zealand) and Mascalzone Latino (Italy).  All four yachts took part in the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship in Sydney earlier this year, with Richard Perini’s Evolution winning the world champion crown for Australia.

With entries also expected from the Sydney 38 one design class, potentially including yachts entered in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, the first three days of this year’s Rolex Trophy should prove highly competitive. 

“We are looking forward to seeing Mascalzone Latino back to race in Sydney again and to defending our title from last year’s Rolex Trophy series,” said Richard Perini, skipper of Evolution which won the 2004 Rolex Trophy series in the Farr 40 class.

“Many of the crews on the Farr 40’s are also sailing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart so it is a great opportunity for time on the water for them.”

Entries for the Rolex Trophy - One Design Series close at 5.00pm on December 8, 2005.

Rolex Trophy - Rating Series

Six yachts have already entered the 2005 Rolex Trophy - Rating Series to be held December 15-18, 2005.

The Rolex Trophy - Rating Series is the final event prior to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and comprises four days of racing with two races being held each day on a course set off Sydney Heads.

Whilst entries are open until December 13, the following boats have already registered their intent to take part in the four days of racing off Sydney Heads:

Fincorp More Witchcraft, NSW
Gillawa, ACT
Living Doll, VIC
Vanguard, NSW
Yendys, NSW
Nips n Tux, NSW

All entries to date except for Vanguard and Nips n Tux are also competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The 2005 Rolex Trophy will be sailed over mostly short windward/leeward courses and will comprise three to four rating divisions which will give boats of vastly different size and performance the opportunity for an even playing ground.

Nips n Tux won the PHS (Performance Handicap System) Division in last year’s Rolex Trophy - Rating Series while Yendys finished 4th in the IRC (International Rule Club) Division in 2004.

The event provides spectacular ocean racing, with yachts battling it out for points from each race which are tallied for overall results. 

“The competition in the Rolex Trophy - Rating Series can be incredibly close,” said Geoff Ross, skipper of Yendys.

“Last year, Targé took victory by just one point so you’re always looking to do your very best in each race over the four days.

“It’s fast and furious out there and every mistake could cost you a point so its pretty intense.”

The fleet for the 2005 Rolex Trophy - Rating Series includes a PHS division and three IRC divisions:

• Division 0 IRC - includes boats at the larger end of the fleet including the 30m maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Konica Minolta and the new Wild Oats, plus those around the 20m mark like Vanguard .
• Division 1 IRC -  includes boats such as Yendys and the Cookson 50 Living Doll.
• Division 2 IRC - covers smaller boats in the fleet, such as Fincorp More Witchcraft, the IMX 40 Nips n Tux, Gillawa and lower rating, older boats.
  

For further information on the Rolex Trophy and the Notice of Race, please visit www.cyca.com.au under ‘Sailing’.