Race Teams for 2010

Updated 22 March 2010

1. Whistler

2. Westbury/Mersey Pharmacy

3. CommunityCarbon

4. Haphazard

5. Deguello

6. Peccadillo

7. VisitFlindersIsland.com.au

8. Team Wildfire

9. Don't Panic Racing

10. Carey Hire

11.

12.

Team 1: Whistler

Design: Dovell 36
Division: Main Racing Monohull

Crew: David Rees (3) sailor, Hobart Tas; Jory Linscott (3) sailor, Hobart Tas; Tim Jones (3) sailor, Taroona Tas; Jacqui Guy (11) runner, Hobart Tas; Michael McIntyre (2) runner, Lauderdale Tas.

This team has set itself another challenge this year in that it has also entered the British Three Peaks Race in June 2010. A keen Tilman Trophy entrant where even the skipper looks forward to the run on Mt Wellington. One advantage he says, is that someone else has the task of packing up the yacht at the end of the race.

The team has been raising funds for HOPES (Housing Options Providing Extra Support), a charity that is "committed to the establishment of appropriate supported accommodation and respite options for Tasmanians with acquired disabilities". Funds raised will assist the team with their Tilman points.

Team leader David Rees has considerable experience sailing many different yachts in Australian waters and overseas including Britian. This experience will assist his team to score a creditable performance.

Team 2: Westbury Mersey Pharmacy

Design: Granger trimaran
Division: Main Racing Multihull

Crew: Terry Travers (10) sailor, Devonport Tas; Phillip Marshall (14) sailor, Port Sorell Tas; Adam Travers (0) sailor, Devonport Tas; Tim Piper (4) runner, Launceston Tas; Jim Findlay (1) runner, Launceston Tas.

The very experienced sailing duo Terry Travers and Phillip Marshall have between them won 9 Three Peaks Races but this is the first time they have competed together since 1996. The secret to their past successes has been sailing good yachts with good runners but most particularly being consistent as a team at all points of the race and working to minimise their own weaknesses and maximising opportunities against their competitors weaknesses. Skippering their respective teams in the past as also shown that victory does not come easily as both had numerous races as runner up or even retirement. Each has surprised their competition in the past through their initiatives in difficult sailing conditions so it will be most interesting to follow their performance this year.

Supported by Mersey Pharmacy, Westbury Pharmacy, Shearwater Pure Sprouts.

Team 3: CommunityCarbon

Design: Beneteau 50
Division: Cruising Division

Crew: Jeff Dusting (0), Sandringham Vic; Rick Pacey (0) sailor, East Ivanhoe Vic; Graham Smith (0) sailor, Darwin NT; Stuart Jacobson (0) runner, Kew Vic; Travis Tremayne (0) Prahan Vic.

A first time entry for the yacht from the Sandringham Yacht Club and crew promoting a personal responsibility for caring for our planet. The largest yacht in the fleet will keep the team well to the fore against some of its smaller rivals who will benefit from previous experience. Jeff and his team will be on a steep learning curve for the event but will enjoy the challenges this event will provide.

While the teams states it is here for the fun, participation and all-round challenge there is a serious side to their entry as they are raising money for charities registered at kiva.org.

The team draws upon a disparate group of friends with a combined sense of adventure, working to make the most of the event whilst helping build renewable energy for community projects across Australia.   For this event, the funds raised will help the Melbourne Zoo (Healesville) take their platypus enclosure off the grid, whilst also ensuring a reduced carbon footprint for the team and their participation.

Team 4: Haphazard

Design: Radford 14
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Nick Edmunds (21) sailor, Sidmouth Tas; Ross Edmunds (13) sailor, Sidmouth Tas; Sam Edmunds (13) sailor, Sidmouth Tas; David Wright (21) sailor, Bridgenorth Tas; Andrew Jones (6) sailor, Port Sorell Tas; Jarrod Polson (1) sailor, Burnie Tas; John Claridge (6) runner, Launceston Tas; Charles Gunn (0) runner, Tas.

If recognition has to be given to anyone then this team certainly earns much with Nick Edmunds and David Wright having competed in every race to date and also having competed in the British Three Peaks Race. Twice winner of this race in 1991 and 2000 as well as a divisional win in 2008, Haphazard will be pushed hard and still could surprise against more fancied teams. A new keel has just been fitted so the team will be keen to see how performance has been improved.

Team 5: Deguello

Design: Crowther 14.63m catamaran
Division: 1 - Main Racing Multihull

Crew: John Brierley (1) sailor, Tranmere Tas; Alistair Mearns (4) sailor, Tas; Bill Rostron (7) sailor, Launceston Tas; Allan Hood (4) runner, Hobart Tas, Mal Grimmett () runner, Vic.

This yacht first competed in the race in 1989 and 1990 skippered then jointly by John Haynes and by the designer, the late Lock Crowther. It has since had a major refit including a new mast. In a recent race held in fresh conditions the catamaran powered through to comfortably take line honours.

The yacht will provide the team with a comfortable ride with the potential to take line honours in the Multihull Division.

Supporters include: Brierley Hose & Handling

Team 6: Peccadillo

Design: Chris White Atlantic 46 Mk II
Division: 1 - Main Racing Multihull

Crew: Charles Meredith (2), sailor, Port Melbourne Vic; David Blake (1) sailor, Oakleigh Vic; Russell Zylstra (0) sailor, Hastings Vic; Gareth Parker (0) runner, Dee Why NSW; Karl Miller (0) runner, Wahroonga NSW.

Another large catamaran that will challenge the rest of the multihull division. Coming from Victoria for his third challenge, Charles will be keen to make the trip worthwhile with a good placing. The yacht has the size and potential to challenge for the Divisional line honours like Deguello will provide a comfortable ride to Hobart.

Team 7: VisitFlindersIsland.com.au

Design: Chamberlin catamaran
Division: Main Racing Multihull

Crew: Steve Laird (0) sailor, Mt Nelson Tas; Michael Grimshaw (0) sailor, Flinders Island Tas; David Jones (1) sailor, Hobart Tas; John Wilson (3) runner, Kayena Tas; John Cannell (1) runner, Launceston Tas.

Mostly a new experience in the Three Peaks for the sailors and with a new catamaran. The team is promoting Flinders Island as a destination, something that the organisation can endorse as a great destination at any time of the year for visiting, the team will have the Flinders Island Deputy Mayor Michael Grimshaw in the sailing crew.

This beautifully finished yacht has a great potential and while the team will endeavour keep the pressure on the other teams in the multihull division, their lack of experience might be telling. Launched in 2009, the catamaran already has some mileage behind it having competed in the recent Launceston to Hobart Race.

VisitFlindersIsland.com.au

Team 8: Team Wildfire

Design: Farr IMS 31
Division: Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Malcolm Robinson (1), Bellerive Tas; Jon Ettershank (1) sailor, Rosny Tas; Julie Hunt (1) sailor, Sandy Bay Tas; Nic Jansen (0) sailor, Sandy Bay Tas; Carl Barker (1) runner, Terrigal NSW; Gerry Grimes (0) runner, Wangi Wangi NSW.

Although one of the smaller yachts in the fleet the Wildfire team will acquit itself well as the yacht is known as a successful performer in local racing on the Derwent River. Everyone is looking forward to achieving some "personal bests" and as Malcolm Robinson states, "to be involved with a race with such a great tradition, one that is sure to excite and exhaust us".

Wildfire

Team 9: Don't Panic Racing

Design: Beneteau First 12
Division: Main Racing Monohull

Crew: Jamie Cooper (7) sailor, Lilydale Tas, Robert  McLelland (4) sailor, Lilydale Tas, Callum Cecil (1) sailor, Beauty Point Tas, Aubrey Hendricks (5) runner, St Leonards Tas; Douglas Grubert (2) runner, Kayena Tas.

An experienced team that has sailed together a number of times previously, will ensure that every opportunity to maximise their performance will be taken. While it is the second Three Peaks for the yacht, the crew has also raced together in the Launceston Hobart Race enabling them to achieve good boat performance.

Don't Panic Racing
Photo: Richard Bennett Photography

Team 10: Carey Hire

Design: Adams 11.9
Division:Main Racing Monohull

Tristan is past competitor in this yacht and with other teams so his experience, together with a well performed yacht that has scored a first monohull and third monohull in previous races, will keep the team well placed. They will be looking for fresh running conditions to maximise the yacht's downwind potential.