Tom and Alan Quick’s Outlaw sailed in a league of its own at the three-day Farr 40 National Championship for the John Calvert-Jones Trophy. Eight wins from 10 starts saw the crew cream the rest of the fleet and create an extraordinary 22-point buffer back to second.

Outlaw’s almost-clinical victory on Sunday 10 March is their first Farr 40 win but is the second national championship in as many weekends for the Sydney crew. Last weekend Tom Quick chartered a Sydney 38 for the annual Sydney Harbour Regatta and claimed first, crowning him and his team national champions.

“We’ve had two great weekends. I’m really proud of everybody and really privileged to be sailing with such a good group,” the delighted skipper said. 

“I’m very happy our preparation has paid off.”

At the trophy presentation held at host Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS), Australian Farr 40 Class President Gordon Ketelbey officially announced that Sydney will host the Farr 40 World Championship in September or October 2020. The international class last gathered in Sydney for the ultimate trophy in 2016 and before that in 2011 and 2005.

Quick also paid tribute to the previous owner of his national champion boat, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis who dominated the class, racing her as Transfusion.

“The Worlds in Sydney next year will be perfect timing for us, we are very lucky to have been given such a great platform from Guido. Last season was a nice learning curve but we had 27 people through the crew and while I haven’t counted, it’s been around half that this season which has made a big difference.”

Next weekend Tom will steer fellow CYCA Member Neville Crichton’s MC38 Maserati for that class’ national championship.

“Neville’s crew are already ribbing me for the triple crown. I haven’t been thinking about next weekend at all. This was the biggie for dad and I and I’m really proud,” added a clearly emotional Quick.

Second Farr 40 overall after three days of competition, two in Sydney Harbour and one offshore, was Rob Pitts’ Double Black flying the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) and Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) burgees. Third by five points was Sam Hill’s Forty, representing the regatta host.

“The highlight for us was coming second,” Pitts said on the RSYS marina as teams wound down following the 10-race series.

“In the second last race, we were OCS which put the pressure on. Joe [Turner] our tactician did a really great job keeping the morale up. We’ll be back next season and we are super excited to be focusing on the Worlds in 2020.”

Among the spectators watching the fleet race north from three starts off Clark Island in the 12-15 knot NNE breeze was former Farr 40 owner and Australian Sailing President Matt Allen as well as John Calvert-Jones, Australia’s first-ever Farr 40 world champion.

The Farr 40 Australian class is most grateful for sponsorship by Rob Pitts’ company Hacer Group plus owners Rob Reynolds and Sam Hill, and thanks suppliers for the 2018-19 season, Tilly Lock Media and OCC – Lisa Ratcliff. The class also acknowledges the RSYS and MHYC and all the wonderful volunteers who generously gave their time over the summer.

Final results

Words: OCC Lisa Ratcliff