9:35 PM Wed 11 Mar 2009 GMT
Western Australia's Geographe Bay Race Week 2009 attracted 103 competitors, an outstanding turnout given current financial times. Divisions were 1, 2 & 3 IRC, Div 4 YAH, Div 5 Sportsboats, Div 6 Under 10m racing, Div 7 Premier Cruising, Div 8 Jib & Main and Div 9 Multihull.
David Walling and Vern Williamson's IRC modified Farr 40 The Next Factor decimated the IRC1 fleet with eleven first placings and one second.
Proving the boat & crew's versatility, The Next Factor started the regatta with two bullets in the Windward / Leeward Races of Day 1, and then backed it up with wins in the Long Passage Race on Day 2 and the night race on Day 3.
 | Next Factor tussling with bigger rivals Marten 49 Optimus Prime and Farr 49 Knee Deep Wines - 2009 Geographe Bay Regatta - Bernie Kaaks Click Here to view large photo |
In the remaining seven Windward / Leeward races over the following 3 days, it was only Trevor Taylor's Martin 49 Optimus Prime that managed to take a race from The Next Factor, taking out Race 10. The final non-discard short passage race was again won by The Next Factor, giving the team a perfect scorecard of straight bullets after discards, with a score of 10.
Helmsman and Quantum Sails Western Australia owner Paul Eldrid commented "we had a fantastic regatta where we were able to focus purely on racing the boat. The crew work was awesome; at any stage we could place the boat anywhere, anytime to maximise our opportunities. Add to this the latest round of tuning with the new Fusion M mainsail and we were fast, really fast which gave us tactical options in every race."
The Next Factor underwent modifications at Peter Milner Yachts which included a shorter, heavier keel, addition of a bow sprit, interior fit out and extensive sail plan re-configuration by Quantum including smaller mainsail, bigger running S1 and S2 spinnakers, A3 Asymmetric spinnaker and the addition of Jib Top Reacher, Spinnaker Staysail and Genoa Staysail.
"It's great to have all our efforts come through with such a resounding win. It's been a long process but the boat is on fire at the moment and I couldn't be happier - especially going back to back in different boats from last year" said co-owner David Walling.
 | The Next Factor - Geographe Bay Race Week - Vanessa Cornwall |
The Next Factor team, from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club comprised of David Walling, Vern Williamson, Paul Eldrid, Scott Disley, Mike Hughes, Steve Locke, Rich McPharlin, Kyle Dodds, David Taylor and Jonathon Clough. Elated co-owner Vern Williamson added "All the boys did an awesome job. Paul got us off the line and in control every time, Scotty sent us the right way, the trimmers kept us fast and the crew work was exceptional.
Mike had the boat prepped perfectly every day - everyone was really focussed and it was awesome to be a part of it all."
Second overall was Trevor Taylor's Martin 49 Optimus Prime with a total of 26 points, and third was Terry Posma's new Runnalls 39 Jaffa on 28 points.
Conditions for the event started very hot with light winds on the first three days of racing, followed by an unseasonal cool change with rain and south west winds for the following three days and back to sun and heat for the final day.
The Next Factor team benefited from SLAM's technical sailing range and stayed cool and covered in the warm days with the Zip Grinder Top and Bermuda Short. In the passage and night races the SLAM Summer Jacket was perfect over the Zip Grinder when the sea breeze cooled Geographe Bay down and as the sun went down in the Night Passage Race.
For the windy, cold part of the regatta the team wore a combination of the SLAM EVO racing range and the SLAM Racing range - all keeping the team dry, flexible, light and comfortable whist not overheating during the rigorous work rate of back to back Windward Leeward races on short courses.
"The SLAM technical gear is awesome - there's nothing better than staying cool when it's hot, and warm when it's cold" said helmsman Paul Eldrid. "You have to be 100% comfortable to perform your best - and the SLAM does exactly that - your focus is on racing the boat only, the SLAM gear does the rest".
For further information:
Geographe Bay Race Week www.geographebayraceweek.org.au
Quantum Sails Western Australia www.quantumsails.com.au
SLAM Technical Sailing Wear www.sailingproductsaustralia.com.au
The Next Factor www.nextfactorracing.com.au
by Keith 'Bob' Robertson
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