Event: MC38 2022 Season Act 1, February 5-6 hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club with racing on Pittwater
Owners Shaun Lane and Quentin Stewart and the rest of the Lazy Dog team from Middle Harbour Yacht Club opened the MC38 class’ 2022 season soundly with a four-point win on Pittwater in gusty sou’east winds and dark cloud banks that dumped rain squalls, creating dramatic scenes against the dark coloured carbon fibre boats and black sails.
Steven Proud’s Swish dominated the nine-strong one design fleet on day one at ‘big pond’, the deep-water expanse north of Scotland Island, but couldn’t maintain the rage on day two and slipped back to fourth overall behind Leslie Green’s Ginger in third.
Lane said, “Saturday was lighter and flukier and Sunday more consistent though still ranging from 10 gusting to 21 knots. As always it was good racing on a great racetrack and there was the usual big fight at the first top mark rounding and a few spills. Getting results in this class is all about minimising mistakes.” Champion 49er sailor David Gilmour joined Lazy Dog’s crew on mainsheet.
Lane, the class president, paid tribute to Ginger’s result adding, “for Leslie at his age to get a podium in those conditions is a solid effort.” Green sails for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia where he’s been an active member since 1959. He is one of the original MC38 owners and his team has bagged four Australian Championships and numerous other trophies over a decade of campaigning.
Ginger 3rd Act 1 2022. Photo: Rob McClelland-RPAYC
One notable addition to the skipper’s list for Act 1 was Rachel Williams helming Law Connect. It’s been years since the class’ only female skipper Clare Crawford and the MC38 Assassin moved on and Rachel’s partner Christian Beck is keen to support her in the helming role. Beck and Williams shared helming duty on Law Connect while Christian’s seasoned 14-year-old son Indy drove Infotrack into second on the pointscore.
“Everyone is looking forward to the March regatta already,” added Lane. “The class and the owner group are really strong, and we are drawing top Australian talent - plus I get messages all the time from potential new owners asking how they can get their hands on an MC38.”
The class thanks the RPAYC for hosting Act 1 and race officer Steve Merrington and his wonderful team for rolling out a no-fuss seven race series.
Dark Star burying the bow. Photo: Rob McClelland-RPAYC
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia will host Act 2 of the MC38 season March 12-13, followed by Middle Harbour Yacht Club, May 14-15 and a return to Pittwater and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for Winter sailing, June 18-19.
The full 2022 Program may be accessed at: mc38racing.com/events2022
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MC38Class
Insta: @mc38aus
Website: mc38racing.com/
Report by Lisa Ratcliff
