Race Winner Joins Record Books

Terry Mullen’s Sting wins the 408 nautical miles Gosford to Lord Howe Island race on handicap, after breaking Helsal III’s 1988 record.

The blue hulled Farr 49 has joined AFR Midnight Rambler as a dual winner of the two Classic Category One races in the South Pacific, the 408 nm Gosford to Lord Howe race and the 631 nautical mile Sydney to Hobart race. She was the winner of the 1999 Sydney to Hobart, racing as Yendys.

Over the last year Sting has been a consistent performer, finishing first in IMS Div A in 2002 Sydney to Goldcoast race and in mid August she was third in the IMS division at Hamilton Island Race Week 2002.

Terry Mullens this morning said, “It was a very pleasing result, the boat was superb, we had a top speed of 25.7 knots, with a jib top and full main. Credit must go to the boat and to the crew. Campbell Knox called tactics superbly; Steve McConaghy was a tower of strength as always, Dougal Knox worked hard on the main. Tim O’Brien from Prosail Whitsundays, Jeremy Lane and all the guys really put in. We are looking forward to the coming season”

With this excellent performance Sting must now be amongst the favourites coming into the JPMorgan regatta, the British Trophy series and the Sydney to Hobart race.

John Quinn’s Polaris, the 2001 Sydney to Hobart IRC winner was second with Wayne Millar’s Sydney 41 Zoe third.
In the PHS Division Delta Wing with Gosford Sailing Club members Bob Swan, Stan Twindley, Warren Carlson and Bill Koppe has taken out a much-deserved win. Owner Bill Koppe commented this morning. ”Ideal conditions for us, our Code Zero provide the power we needed.”

Line honours and record breaker Ian Treleaven’s Merit was second on PHS with She II third.

The record for Line Honours was shattered by Merit; she crossed the finish line in front of the lagoon at 10.34pm EST last night to slash 6 hours and 50 minutes off the 1988 mark of Helsal III of 40 hours and 23 minutes. The last boat across the line was Berrimilla at 08:51:35 today.

Assistant race Director Tony Evans reported that the early finish has allowed the finishing ceremony at the Milky Way to be brought forward to tonight.

Everyone agreed it was a fun race, a single reaching tack for many of the boats. Evans final comment, ”Merit’s new record of 33 hours 34 minutes and 21 seconds looks safe for many years.”

Results