Mike Finn sailing Constellation, has sailed a superb series to convincingly win IRC Red Division. Constellation had 7 first places from 10 starts in what is generally regarded as Western Australia's premier offshore regatta. For the full results, please click
here
In case any of you thought that she couldn't compete against the big boys, Constellation also won the race week feeder race, the Iberia, outright on IRC. This is run by Royal Perth Yacht Club and is 110nm of ocean sailing down the unprotected coastline of Western Australia from Fremantle to Port Geographe Marina at Busselton. This year's race was started on 19th February, in conditions varying from a calm at the start through to a 30knot+ south easterly with 35knot+ gusts overnight. Most of the sailing was close hauled or a close reach into this, with a 3 hour run to the finish line. The fleet of 19 included the cream of offshore racing in Western Australia.
Constellation not only decisively won Div 2 by a margin of 37 minutes but also Div 1 by 4 minutes. This was a particularly good effort considering the quality of the Div 1 fleet, which included highly specialised racing boats such as the brand new Bakewell-White General Lee and the new Archambault 40 Aardvark, all designed and built (some on a no expense spared basis) to win IRC races. You can not only confidently cruise in your S&S34, you can also get out there ocean racing and beat the big boys in major races too!