Mooloolaba Ocean racing skipper Ken Down will face a test against his fleet match racing experience when he and his Bribie Star crew contest the Aberdeen Asset Management Queensland Farr 40 championship this weekend.

Bribie Star one of three almost identical Queensland Farr 40 class sloops will face a supreme test of tactical racing over six searching races on Moreton Bay against an impressive trio of New South Wales yachts including the 2011 World champion Transfusion skippered by Guido Belgiorno-Nettis of Sydney.

The fleet of six yachts crewed by a number of highly talented sailors will present a classic contest of tactical strategy to win the prestigious hand crafted trophy.

Skipper Guido Belgiorno-Nettis  and his exceptionally talented crew have been nominated as the pre-regatta favourite following their Bronze Medal result at last month’s World championship in Chicago but they realise there will be no margin for error.

The selected course area will be set on the tricky waters east of Green and St Helena Islands which are familiar to the crews of the Queensland team yachts Skreenkraft/Lambourdini (David Lambourne) Bribie Star (Ken and Lucas Down) and Bobby’s Girl (John Lehman).

But the highly talented trio of New South Wales crews will need to continually update their tactical strategy to coincide with the change of current flow to protect their reputations in what is expected to be a close fought series.

All six crews manning the decks of these state of the art one-design match racing yachts have an equal chance of winning off the start line but the slightest error in tactical strategy and sail handling skill can mean the difference between winning or finishing back in the pack.

The recent Queensland IRC Championship success suggests that the David Lambourne skippered Skreenkraft/Lambourdini is tactically prepared to go bow down with the strong New South Wales trio however that will depend on crew support and the proven ability of Mike O’Brien to dominate the tactical ‘mind games’ over his New South Wales rivals.

While they respect the previous regatta results achieved by Transfusion, Kokomo and Estate Master the proud Queensland crews manning the decks of Skreenkraft/ Lambourdini, Bribie Star and Bobby’s Girl have not prepared to accept the fourth, fifth and sixth places without a fight.

Ken Down respected as the most experienced individual sailor in the Queensland team including the career distinction of recording an Admirals Cup win in his log book will play a major role in the challenge of Bribie Star while Skreenkraft/Lambourdini helmsman David Lambourne and his experienced sailing mates Mike O’Brien, Barry Cuneo and Scott Millar have never been known to shy away from a tactical ‘dog-fight’ are race ready to duel with their New South Wales rivals.

Experienced Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron race management official Louise Davis has the proven skill to set fair courses which sets the foundation to decide which of the intensely proud States has the best Farr 40 crew when the final of six races is decided on Sunday.

By Ian Grant.

See Rolex Farr 40 World Championship images

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 October 2012 )