After enduring some of the roughest conditions in recent memory and losing a record 35 boats (over half the fleet) through retirement during the 2008 Lexus Adelaide – Lincoln Bluewater Classic, organizers were pleased to announce that 40 of the 43 entrants for the 2008 Lexus Lincoln Week were in Lincoln and ready to compete in Boston bay over the next 4 days.

With many competitors still recovering from the weekends Bluewater Classic, not to mention the post presentation celebrations at the Port Lincoln Yacht Club, the 9am Monday morning regatta briefing resembled a battle ground of sorts, however a steady 8 – 10knt sou’easterly provided the perfect wake up for crews awaiting race 1 at 11am.

The light conditions tendered to favour the smaller boats with Cailin Howard in his Mumm 30 SIX FISH taking out race 1 in the IRC, ahead of well know local Miles Stephens in the Sydney 32 SLAP & TEAKLE. HANSON MONKEY PUZZLE, who was first in the Racing Division, never made it off the truck in Adelaide after the long journey from Pt Fairy, with the crew deciding to head straight to Lincoln by road, rather than risk damaging the boat whilst sailing the Bluewater classic. MYSTERY TAXI steered by Paul Henshall was the first Etchell across the line in both races of the day, while SPEAKEASY took out the Cruising, NERANA the Trailerables and WILPIRINA II the Multihull Division.

As the breeze picked up through the after noon, some of the larger boats started to find more suitable conditions during Race 2 of the day. Nick George was first in IRC with his DK 46 EXILE, SPIRIT of LEXUS the brand new Farr42 owned by Mike Keough of Austral Yachts slipped into first overall with their second place finish. This was a sign of things to come for the new flagship of Lexus and Austral Yachts.

Day 2 was programmed for a long race around the bay and Boston Island. Yet again a steady 10 knts greeted the fleet on the start line. With a race time of around 4 hours, the crew on board of SPIRIT of LEXUS was able to wind her up and claim the IRC podium ahead of EXILE and TRUE NORTH, as the afternoon sea breeze brought the rest of the fleet home in around 15 knts of breeze. SIX FISH claimed first in the Racing Division, while WILPIRINA II took out the Multihul division, NARANA the Trailerables and CENTAUR beat TIME OUT by over 3 minutes on corrected time in the Cruising. The Etchell fleet remained in the bay as they sailed 3 W/L races. Steve Kemp in BOHICA, Paul Henshall in MYSTERY TAXI and Geoff Beottcher helming MURPHYS LAW each claimed a victory on day 2 of the hotly contested Etchell series. 2008 is the first year that Etchells have sailed the Lexus Lincoln Week Regatta and competitors and organizers are sure that it will not be the last, after singing their praises for such an enjoyable, well run regatta and for Boston Bay as such a fantastic location with its sheltered waters and stiff breezes.

Wednesday at Lincoln week plays host to the traditional Megga’s BBQ held each year at Spalding Cove. The day starts with a shorter single race before crews make their way to the beach at Spalding cove which is situated on the southern edge of Boston Bay. The PLYC basically pack up camp and relocate for the day to the isolated and picturesque Spalding Cove were competitors are greeted with a BBQ beach party.  Winners of day 3 included AS GOOD AS IT GETS in the IRC and PHS, WHITE KNIGHT in the Trailerables and CENTAUR in the Cruising. Andrew Puglisi snatched a win in the Sydney 32’s which was to set up a log jam between his boat AZZURZ, SLAP & TEAKLE  and the local youth team OCEAN MENTOR going into the final day of competition.

With 2 races scheduled for the 4th and final day of the regatta, crews were excited by the 15knts that was already blowing from the SE on Thursday morning. SPIRIT of LEXUS had opened up a healthy lead in the IRC and with a second and first in race 5 & 6 went on to win the series ahead of EXILE and TRUE NORTH, which had been charted for the regatta by Sydney skipper Bill Meikusjoan through MARINER BOATING HOLIDAYS. A classy pair of 1st places on day 4 saw HANSON MONKEY PUZZLE from Port Fairy snatch victory in the Racing PHS division away from SPIRIT of LEXUS and EXILE in 3rd. It was a similar result in the Sydney 32’s with OCEAN MENTOR claiming 2 stunning victories to leapfrog in to first place on overall standing at the end of the regatta. The Ocean Mentor programme, sponsored by Lexus of Adelaide, is the brainchild of Peter Teakle and skipper Simon Turvey. The team is made up of youths and juniors and competes head to head in the PLYC Sydney 32 Division Championship along with some of the most experienced crews in the state. Continuing this double victory theme of day 4 was David Knights in his Austral WHITE KNIGHT who took out the Trailerable division ahead of NERANA and BOHICA. Although also claiming victory in the final 2 races, Gerry Valk and his crew on TIMEWARP lost on count back to WILPIRINNA II, with THE TRIBE finishing 3rd. PLYC’s Fran Solly took out the Cruising Division with her yacht TIME OUT ahead of CENTAUR and SPEAKEASY. Mr consistency Paul Henshall finished the regatta with 2 seconds to Claim the Etchells title from Steve Kemp in BOHICA and Geoff Beottcher sailing MURPHYS LAW.

The Port Lincoln Yacht Club would like to thank all competitors for taking part in this year’s Lexus Lincoln Week Regatta. The PLYC would also like to thank our Major sponsor Lexus of Adelaide for their ongoing support, as well as our other fantastic sponsors, The Marina Hotel, Yanmar Diesel, Gori Propeller, Doyle Sailmakers, Sarin Group, Musto, Bundaberg Rum, Port Lincoln Council and Boston Bay wines.

2009 will be the 60th anniversary of our great event and promises to be bigger and better that ever. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. Thank you.

SPIRIT of LEXUS and Lexus of Adelaide’s OCEAN MENTOR claim the spoils at Licoln race Week 2008!

Major sponsors of the 2008 Lexus Lincoln Week, Lexus of Adelaide are on a high as their locally sponsored yachts claimed the double header at this week’s Lexus Lincoln Race Week Regatta. The newly launched Spirit of Lexus yacht owned and built by local South Australian Michael Keough of Austral Yachts was victorious in the hotly contested IRC division while Ocean Mentor took out the closely contested Sydney 32 crown. After claiming victory the quietly spoken Michael enthralled a packed and captive audience at presentation night of the process behind this fairytale start to the new boat’s racing campaign, “This is the best team that I’ve ever sailed with right down to the boys in the factory. The effort that has gone into this campaign is astounding and we are so proud of our new boat and can’t wait to sail her in the eastern states over the coming year.”Paul Johnson from Lexus of Adelaide said, “ From a sponsors point of view it’s a dream come true. We are really lucky to have such a locally focused combination with our sponsorship of this event, as we all know Austral Yachts is a world recognized South Australian boat building company and their new Farr 42 just looks magic. But not only that, they now have some runs on the board and we feel that this is just the beginning of things to come. Spirit of Lexus is such an ideal match for our brand of high end refined and expertly engineered luxury motor cars.“Plus with our involvement with the Ocean Mentor Program we really feel that we are contributing to the local sailing scene. These kids have done an outstanding  job competing with these ‘seasoned old salts’ and showing them a thing or two. This result is a great endorsement for the benefits of the Ocean Mentor Program. The maturity of this crew is beyond their years and it’s exciting to think of where Australian sailing could be if every club across Australia decided to adopt the Ocean Mentor Program.“ We are just wrapped to have pulled the double this year and from an event point of view the 2008 Lexus Lincoln Regatta and Race Week has been hugely successful and we look forward to the event’s 60th Anniversary next year with great anticipation.”

With a the pre-race weather forecast expecting SW 20-30knts with possible gusts of up to 30knts, competitors in the 2008 Lexus Adelaide Lincoln Bluewater Classic were beginning to prepare for another long slog to Lincoln. By 1300 on Friday it was becoming apparent that conditions were strengthening. The startline in Gulf StVincent was awash with some heavy 2mtr slop (the typically steep local variety) and the starting sequence was delayed by 15 minutes.

Lara  III was the first retirement of the race after being hit by fellow RSAYS boat Renegade, skippered by Bob Francis who was competing in his 40th Bluewater   Classic. Many thought that Lara III wouldn’t be the last of the race, however very few expected what the morning would bring. 35 retirements out of a fleet of 68. The carnage started slow with 6 boats out of the fleet not surviving ‘til 1800. An updated weather forcast informed the fleet of SW winds of 30-35knts and rising seas. By 2200 boats were starting to drop like flies. Raw Nerve attempt at breaking the race record was in tatters after losing her mast in large seas during the early evening, in fact by day break 8 of the 9 starters in the Multihull division had retired, leaving Gerald Valk to claim the podium all on his own with his crew on board Timewarp.

A similar scenario had unfolded in the Cruising division with 10 of the 12 starters fleeing for cover along the exposed lower York Peninsular. This left Tiki to claim bragging rights ahead of Milou.After running onto Marion Reef, Here and Now were escorted back in to Edithburgh, whilst taking on water, by the local Sea Rescue. These tireless volunteers deserve our thanks from all for their vigilance over our vast coastline.

SKANDIA worked hard through the night, at times launching through the 3.5 meter swells at over 14knts, and was forced to drop their headsail completely for an quite some times in an effort to depower the boat. It was certainly an exhilarating ride for retired double premiership Crows Captain Mark Ricciuto who had “an absolute ball”. “We just weren’t able to get the record this time but we’re still pretty happy with our time given the stiff conditions through the night. I just know how hard it must have been for the smaller guys bashing straight in to that all night long” said Tim Cowen of The Boat Shed.

SKANDIA crossed the line at 0709 after a little under 16 hrs for the 156nm’s.

RAGER, skippered by owner Gary Shanks was second on line honours at 0937, with Nick George in his DK46 EXILE crossing the line at 1031 in third place. Winning this year’s 2008 Lexus Adelaide Lincoln Bluewater Classic on PHS and IRC was Brenton Pegler sailing his brand new Sydney 36 ANOTHER PLANET.

After a record breaking list of retirements, organizers are pleased with the number of competitors bringing their boats by road from Adelaide just in time for Lexus Lincoln Raceweek.

Caillin Howard and crew on board SIXFISH suffered some annoying gear failure. “We only started sailing my new MUMM 30 this season, so it was pretty annoying when a $10 dollar fitting ruins your race. We only lost our leech cord but we decided that if we continued in these conditions we were just going to flog our brand new sail to bits and end up missing out on race week. We all agreed that missing Race Week was not an option so we chucked the boat on the back of the car and here we are, just in time for the pub!

43 boats are entered in Lexus Lincoln Race Week which will see crews sail 6 races over 4 days around the magnificent Boston Bay.

Race Day Update. 1700hrs.

17 vessels retired. Man overboard on one vessel but successfully retrieved. 25kts plus, 2 to 3 meter slop off Outer Harbour. Skandia away well.

Race Day. Friday 22 February 2008.

At this time, 11am 5 vessels have withdrawn from the race. Two cruising boats, Tallulah (battery problems) and Rhythm II chose not to line up for the 10am start. Twilight Express was presrnt for the start but tore her mainsail during the start sequence and withdrew.

In the racing division, Kookaburra and Outrageous have chosen to withdraw from the 3pm start.

Pre-race briefing. Thursday evening, 21 February 2008.

A total of 210 skippers, navigators and crew representatives attended the pre-race briefing held at the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron. Commodore Annie Rogers of the RSAYS welcomed and addressed them all before handing over to Stewart Ross who is the principle race officer for the 2008 Lexus of Adelaide, Adelaide to Port Lincoln yacht race.

He stressed the importance of on water safety and insisted on all vessels competing to respond to the scheduled radio checks. Any vessel failing to repond to these "scheds" will be subject to a 10% penalty to their finish time. Stewart then went through the formalities of sailing instructions and rules before handing over to Senior Sergeant Bob McDonald of the South Australian Water Police. The Senior Sergeant informed those present that the Water Police vessel "Investigator" will once again follow the fleet through the course to Port Lincoln. He also informed them of the string of voluteer radio operators that will be on a listening watch for the duration of the race and for vessels to use their services if required. Les Harper of Oyster Bay Volunteer Coastguard will be monitoring VHF channels 16 and 80 as will Sea Rescue Edithburgh. The Royal Volunteer Coastguard Patrol Cape Spencer will be monitoring proceedings on VHF 16 and 81 and will spend the night in a caravan on the Cape while having a vessel on standby at Pondalowie Bay.

The Port Lincoln end will be monitored by "Squeek" at VMR Port Lincoln and Garry Smith of VMR Tumby Bay on VHF 16 and 81.

The Senior Sergeant then went on to inform the crowd that the Water Police will Monitor any vessel retiring till safely in port and will inform family if requested.

A representative from the Bureau of Meteorology then took the floor and described in detail the current and predicted weather situation. The Cruising Divsion can expect winds from the west sou' west at 20 to 30 knots for their 10am start and winds are expected to swing to the left of the course during the afternoon and evening to a southerly direction at 20 to 25 knots. Seas of 2 to 3 meters are expected along the foot of Yorke Peninsular.

It is expected that skippers will sail conservatively till Cape Spencer then crack sheets in Spencer Gulf for the reach to the finish line with the first boats expected to be there before daylight.

Sixty seven boats from the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron and the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia took to the water last night for the twilight  cruise that marks the start of the Lexus of Adelaide, Adelaide to Port Lincoln series of events and activities. Skippers, crew, sponsors and guests enjoyed racing from the breakwater at Outer Harbour to a mark off the Semaphore Jetty and back.

Spirit of Lexus owned by Mark Keough of Austral Yachts and sponsored by Lexus of Adelaide is a Farr 42 that was launched yesterday and used the cruise as a shake down for the new boat prior to her heading to Port Lincoln this Friday. Skipper and crew were pleased with the performance of the boat and are looking forward to a highly competitive maiden voyage.

Martyn Riley from the Sandringham Yacht Club in Victoria will this year bring his "big boat" to South Australia for the Lexus Adelaide to Lincoln Yacht Race. Last year we saw Martyn's Bloomfield's 30ft "Raw to the Core" take line honours after a hard slog from Adelaide.  This year the ride promises to be even faster in Raw Nerve a Southern Ocean 50 foot catamaran.

Raw Nerve is Australia's fastest offshore sailing yacht. The boat holds a number of internationally recognised race records  and in 2000 won the title of Australia's fastest offshore sailing yacht.  Holder of the record for the Lord Howe Island Race and five times winner and current record holder of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race she is bound to thrill those who are up early enough to see her arrival in Port Lincoln.

Trevor Joyce from Mariner Boating Holidays based in Sydney will be back in South Australia for the Lexus Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race and this year, he has brought some friends along. Bill Meicklejohn also from Sydney has chartered True North a Beneteau 40.7.  Trevor sails with Bill on his Jutson 50 and has been extolling the virtues of the Port Lincoln Race and Regatta to such an extent that Bill has decided to come and see for himself.

Trevor and Mariner Boating Holidays will be sponsoring As Good As it Gets (also a Beneteau 40.7) and racing with Dick Fidock as he has in previous years.  Dick was urged to return this year having won the race and the regatta in 2007.  There will certainly be plenty of needle given that the two yachts have been very close during recent CYCSA club races and both yachts are in good racing form with True North very nearly cleaning up Division D IRC in the Hobart race this year and As Good As It Gets finishing third IRC Division at this years Skandia Geelong Week.

When the Lexus Adelaide to Port Lincoln yacht races starts at 3.00pm on Friday 22nd February, Bob Francis will be on the start line for the 40th time. Bob has only missed one race and even that one he actually started but had to turn back.  Bob and his regular crew had competed in a Sydney to Hobart that year and so were struggling to find enough crew for the Lincoln Race.  Rough seas meant that his novice crew were suffering from sea sickness and so Bob elected to turn back.  

Since 1981 Bob has been sailing Renegade, a 40ft Ron Holland designed boat which he built himself.  Renegade is the current one of a line of boats that Bob has built and sailed to Lincoln.  First the 25ft Eamure; then a 29ft Aquarius followed by one a bit bigger - 35 ft of the same name; and before Renegade a 34ft 3/4 ton Rebel. 

Bob's most memorable race was around 1990 when he sailed neck and neck with a boat from Lincoln for much of the race only to be pipped on the line.  He's had two seconds and is dying to win, what better year to do it!

Bob keeps coming back because he enjoys the event and believes its a good race.  He remembers fondly some "rip snorter" parties in the early days when boats would arrive from Adelaide and tie up in front of the Yacht Club for the traditional QLD (quiet little drink). 

Good luck Bob we hope the 40th is a lucky one for you.

Father and Daughter race together - Friday 15th February 2008

Current Junior PLYC Yachtsman of the Year Georgie Kemp (aged 17) will this year take to the water for her first Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht race under the watchful eye of her Dad, Steve Kemp.  Georgie and Steve are on board Skandia for the 150 nautical mile race.  Georgie has recently returned from Perth where she competed in the Australian Youth Match Racing Series on board a 36 foot keel boat with other South Australian sailors.  Sailing aboard the 30 meter Jones designed maxi will be a thrill for the teenager.  Steve said he is excited to be sailing with Georgie on her first ocean race and being on Skandia meant that if she did get sea sick at least they would be home early.

Georgie and Steve are joined by a talented South Australian crew including Geoff Boettcher, Tim Cowan and David Buckland and new comer to sailing Mark Ricciuto.  The boys have been allowed back on board this year as for the past three years Skandia has sailed the race with a crew of women.  Several “Wild Women on Water” will be on board, including Caroline Cowan, Tiff Evans , Amy O’Brien, Chris Buckland and Di Bichard.  Along with several of Skandia’s regular crew all will be hoping to arrive in Port Lincoln before 4.50am Saturday 23rd February – that’s the time they need to beat the race record of 13 hours 52 minutes and 17 seconds set by Grant Wharington on Wild Thing in 2000.

With just 11 days to the Lexus Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race skippers are reminded of some important requirements:
- Briefing - the race briefing will this year be hosted by the RSAYS and will commence at 1830 hours.A minimum of three crew members are expected to attend the briefing including Skipper and Navigator.

- IRC Certificates - must be current and lodged with either the CYCSA; RSAYS or the PLYC prior to 1100 hours 21st February 2008 for verification by the handicap committee.

- Safety Certificates - all yachts entering the race must meet Category 3 safety requirements.  Checks will be carried out prior to the race and non-compliant yachts will not be admitted to the race.

- Marina Berths - the Lincoln Cove Marina has recently renewed marina leases and there have been changes in berth arrangements. If you reqire a berth you must contact Mary Clark - (see marina berths this site)

- Crew Lists - crew lists are required for all boats.  These will be lodged with SA Water Police and must be completed prior to the briefing and forwarded to the race office which will be at the RSAYS.

- Payments - please check that entry fees have been paid prior to the briefing.

If you have any questions about these requirements please check with Matt Gryst
       Ph/Fax (08) 7225 0033
       Mobile 0411 774 546
       Email  entries@plyc.com.au

Entries are progressing well for the Lexus Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race and Lincoln Week Regatta. Grant Wharington’s Skandia Wild Thing is returning with Wharington determined to take the race record.   This time sailing with a mixed crew of nine Wild Women on Water, Skandia regulars with a few Port Lincoln locals for good measure, Wharington will be on the helm.  An invitation has been issued to former Crow’s Captain Mark Ricciuto to try the ride and Roo has indicated he is seriously considering the offer.

The 2008 race will be the last Lincoln race for veteran Dick Fidock in his Beneteau 40.7 As Good as it Gets.  Dick has been a strong competitor and  staunch supporter of Adelaide to Lincoln races over many years.  This year he will have a race on his hands with True North also a Beneteau 40.7 owned and Skippered by Andrew Saies.  Saies will be looking to better last years 2nd place and having finished 4th in the 2007 Sydney to Hobart and 3rd in Geelong the crew is on fire.

More Divisions for Lincoln Week - Thursday 7th February 2008

The 2008 Lexus Lincoln Week Regatta will have more divisions than in previous years.  For the first time Etchells have been included in the Regatta with Boston Bay expected to present ideal sailing conditions for the fleet.  It's expected to be a battle of the Henshall brothers for the silver ware but Lincoln legend Steve Kemp will be fronting up in Bohica and could cause and upset. Also registered for the week are a strong racing fleet, Sydney 32's, Multihulls, Sports boats and Rrailerables, Cruisers

10th August 2007 - Notice of races now posted.