| SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA-(17-12-2005) Two more wins from Quantum Racing and two seconds by Loki in their divisions of the Rolex Trophy – Rating Series today has enabled the Australian team to extend its lead in the Rolex Challenge teams series.
The Australian team is on 55 points on the low scoring system, with the Queensland team of Yendys and Wedgetail second on 68 points after six races in the Rolex Trophy – Rating Series, with the afternoon race sailed in thunderstorm-affected conditions offshore.
Ominous black clouds swept over Sydney and out to sea, bringing rain and squally winds to the racing fleet, with some boats suffering sail damage.
Fortunately, the breeze remained relatively constant offshore, as did the final placings in both races, with Ray Roberts’ DK46 Quantum Racing winning both races in the lower rating IRC division and Stephen Ainsworth’s Reichel/Pugh 60, Loki, placing second in both races of the higher IRC rating division.
This gave the Australian team 22 points from today’s races as against 29 under the low scoring system from Geoff Ross’ Judel/Vrolijk 52 Yendys and Wedgetail, Bill Wild’s HW 42.
In equal third place overall on 77 points in the Rolex Challenge is the Victorian team of Flirt, Chris Dawe’s Corby 49 and Paul Roberts and Bill Lennon’s ILC 40, Fuzzy Logic and New Zealand, comprising Stewart Thwaites’ 30m maxi Konica Minolta and John Cameron’s Dibley 46 Fincporp More Witchcraft. Konica Minolta scored a third and a first place for Rolex Challenge points today.
Progressive points after six races of the Rolex Trophy, which includes the eight races of the Rolex Trophy – Rating Series and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race are:
Australia: 55 pts
Queensland: 68 pts
Victoria: 77 pts
New Zealand: 77 pts
NSW Blue: 80 pts
NSW Red: 87 pts
Victoria: 77
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