This weekend off Sydney Heads, the Rolex Trophy Series for One Design racing will be in full flight as yachts from around Australia, from Italy and New Zealand contest a series of races over several days during 10-12 December, 2005.

Two one design classes will be racing – 11 Farr 40 design yachts and 12 Sydney 38 design yachts. Rules are strict to keep the boats exactly the same with stringent checks done to ensure each boat is racing in true ‘one design’ configuration – crews are weighed, boat measurements and rigging checked and the race course is the same.

Current Rolex World champion in the Farr 40 class, Richard Perini is back with Evolution to defend his win in this event last year. Returning to race in Sydney after competing in the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship in March is Vincenzo Onorato and his crew on Mascalzone Latino. Translated, Mascalzone Latino means ‘little rascals’ and that may be the edge they need in the close class racing that will happen on the water this weekend.

Many of the boats and crew competing in the Rolex Trophy One Design Series will also line up on Boxing Day for the start of the 61st Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

British sailor Adrian Stead will be performing double duty over the next few weeks, as tactician onboard Mascalzone Latino and as a crew member onboard the 98ft Alfa Romeo in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. “It’s great to be back sailing in Sydney after we had such a great time here during the Rolex Farr 40 worlds in March. I am also looking forward to the opportunity to sail to Hobart on Alfa Romeo against the other maxis after a successful launch with the boat at Hamilton Island Race Week this year,” remarked Stead.

Ray Roberts, who has entered his Farr 40 Quantum Racing in the Rolex Trophy One Design and will take his DK46 Quantum Racing and several of the same crew to Hobart.

With less than three weeks to go before the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Steven Proud (Swish), Gordon Ketelbey (Zen) and Luis Rykmans (Yeah Baby) will be using the One Design races to finetune their Sydney 38 design boats and crews in preparation for the long haul to Hobart.
Twelve Sydney 38s will be making the journey south this year and racing will be fierce in this competitive group. Returning this year to pursue her dream to finish at Constitution Dock in Hobart is Brooke Paton on Zen. Paton started in last year’s race on Zen but, due to the unfavourable conditions, the boat retired. This year, the 36 year old is hoping to make it to the finish line in the Derwent River.

“I’m looking forward to heading to Hobart and hopefully crossing the line. It’s our first birthday present to the boat as it was only two weeks old when we attempted last years race,” commented Paton.