No slowing down for veteran skipper Lou Abrahams

'Lou Abrahams -' Crosbie Lorimer

Revered offshore skipper Lou Abrahams showed no signs of wilting or any sort of mercy to his younger counterparts in Round 1 of the prestigious Club Marine Range Series on Saturday.

Sailing off the waters of Royal Victorian Yacht Club, Sandringham Yacht Club's Abrahams, who entered illustrious Octogenarian status just two months ago, proved a record sixth Series victory in 11 years was exactly what he is after.

In his Division 1 keelboat 'Challenge', the 80-year-old led the 28 strong fleet across the line, securing handicap honours in the process, sending an ominous warning for the remaining six rounds of the series.

Abrahams won the Club Marine Ranges Series last year, setting a new record of five wins in 10 years, since its inception 16 years ago.

RVYC Captain David Ellis was full of praise for the veteran skipper.

'I really admire Lou's ability to get together 8 or 9 crew on a regular basis and to put it all together so well, so often,' Ellis said.

Abrahams now heads into Round 2 on November 8 at Hobson's Bay Yacht Club, leading the series ahead of Royal Brighton YC's Reverie, skippered by Alan Woodward, ahead of RYVC's Greg Tobin skippering Bombora in third spot overall.

In another result that failed to shock anyone, it was RYCV's captain Ellis on board his Division 2 yacht Surprise, who will take a well deserved lead into Round 2 of competition.

It was Ellis who managed to handle the light shifty winds on his home course the best and took out both the IRC and AMS sections of the event.

'This year there has been a substantial change in the format of the racing with separate courses for each division - which I think is definitely a good change and will only help progress this event even further,' Ellis said.

'It is hoped that it will bring a lot of the smaller boats in Division 3 back to the series - with separate courses it eliminates smaller boats having to encounter bigger ones while racing, allowing for a much more enjoyable afternoon of racing for everyone,' Ellis added.

'The Club Marine Range Series is such a great event . events like this don't happen in many other cities where they combine all of the clubs for one series,' he added.

Following two wins onboard SYC's Cougar II, skipper Alan Whiteley leads the Division 0 IRC series, five points ahead of the Kate Mitchell skippered Goldfinger and RYCV's Robert Hanna and Shogun, a further one point back in third place.

In Division 3, RMYS's Avanale, skippered by Phil Battey leads, ahead of RBYC's skipper Nick McGuigan and Magazan 53, with Battey's clubmate Ian Ewing skippering Spellbound into third place.