Rolex Trophy win: A big theatrical production...

11:49 PM Tue 16 Dec 2008 GMT

'Rolex Trophy One Design 2008, Sydney (AUS) - 13/12/08 UPLIFT' Andrea Francolini &copy

'A big theatrical production...' That's how skipper Darryl Hodgkinson summed up the nine-month preparation that culminated in Uplift winning the Sydney 38 class in the Rolex Trophy One Design Series off Sydney Heads last weekend.

The result came exactly two months after Uplift surprised many, including themselves, when they won the NSW States Championship by a whisker, on countback, in October.

Savills SORC 2007 - UPLIFT - Andrea Francolini&copy Click Here to view large photo

Long-time CYCA member Hodgkinson has been racing Sydney 38s for the past few seasons, hovering around mid-fleet and at best getting a sniff of a podium position, only to see it fade away with an erratic result. Last weekend, consistency paid off for the Uplift team, with a 1-1-2-1-3 result in five races.

'After the light airs on day one, we thought, were we just lucky? So it was really satisfying when we were able to get some good results in heavy breeze on Sunday,' said Hodgkinson.

X3 shadows Uplift - Rolex Trophy 2007 - Crosbie Lorimer Click Here to view large photo

One crew member claims he saw Hodgkinson's knuckles turn a shade whiter on the wheel when the speed dial hit 14 knots in gusts up to 30 knots. But under the guidance of top Sydney yachtsman Sean Kirkjian, who called some brilliant tactics, the team stayed focused and romped home to a 12-point lead and the Rolex Trophy.

So what was so different in 2008?

There was really no secret formula. Months of planning, preparation, sheer hard work, training, discipline, and on race day, focus, focus, focus.

Like many skippers, Darryl had experienced the frustration of a 'scratch crew' thrown together at the last minute, some meeting for the first time on day one of a regatta.

So a few conversations earlier this year led to a partnership with renowned helmsman and tactician Kirkjian, and a program was set in place. Hodgkinson talks about late night mid-week meetings to discuss sail configuration, rig checks, crew selection, budget and regatta preparation.

'It's been like a big theatrical production,' said Hodgkinson. 'The boat program, sail tuning, crew, training . was like the script, stage set-up, actors and then performance day. I would like to thank Sean and all my crew, not just the regatta crew but the supporting cast, those who were part of the lead-up program. Everyone played a role.'

There was no 'skipper's prerogative' either for Hodgkinson, who had to shed his share of kilos for the mandatory one-design crew weigh-in. That's why wife Katherine, daughter Victoria and son James were simply ecstatic when they heard the results.

'All of us were put through the diet,' quipped 13-year-old Victoria. 'Lentils, salads, the works. Dad would come home and say, I have to get to this target weight, and we all had to go through it with him. For weeks. We couldn't even have dessert!'

Last weekend provided a feather in the cap and was an early Christmas present for the modest skipper. After the States victory, the team kept their heads down and just got on with the rest of the program.

'The Sydney 38 is a great one-design boat with strict and fair class rules for regattas, said Hodgkinson. 'I hope Uplift's podium placings in the States and Rolex will encourage other owners to become more involved and develop a boat, sail and crew program. It has really paid off for us with a winning 2008 season.'