Media release by: Nic Douglass / @sailorgirlhq
After four races at the LGT Wealth Management Australia Cup David Doherty’s Matador claimed two more wins in the TP52 division, while just one point separates Beau Ideal and Anarchy at the top of the provisional Super 40 SFR standings. Sixteen Grand Prix teams across the TP52 and Super 40 divisions are contesting the LGT Wealth Management Australia Cup, from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, with racing continuing through Sunday 1 November.
The series started with four twilight races on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October against the iconic Sydney Harbour backdrop. Short legs kept the racing sharp across the opening two evenings. Wednesday’s breeze began at around 15 knots and eased, with the Super 40s’ second race shortened to avoid Harbour traffic. Thursday brought an easterly of around 10 knots at the start, also easing as the evening progressed.
In the TP52 division Matador won races three and four on both TPR and IRC, extending its winning run to three consecutive races under each system. On TPR, Matador leads with five points, six clear of Peter White’s First Light and Virago, both on 11. Lee Hawksley’s Gusto sits on 13 points after finishing second in Thursday’s final race.
The IRC standings also have Matador on five points, with First Light second on eight after two second places on Thursday. Virago is third on 11. First Light tactician Gordon Maguire said the new lineup is settling in as it works through the inevitable early errors.
“The team are settling really well. Like all new teams, there have been teething problems and we are working our way through them.” “The super short course style racing has really helped us improve as a team quickly. Mistakes are highlighted and everyone is under pressure in this style of racing.”
Maguire said the team is looking forward to more breeze across the final three days.
“Always tough in this company – but great environment to learn and improve, which is really what this regatta is about for us,” said Gusto owner-skipper Lee Hawksley. “Last race was a pretty simple formula – good start and more things going right than going wrong.”
Hawksley said the boat is still set up for offshore racing, the team’s focus since buying her and through to the Rolex Sydney Hobart. With many crew still gaining experience on high-performance boats, the priority is building the team and learning before turning to improvements to the boat.
In the Super40 Division Grant Pocklington’s Anarchy won race three on SFR, ahead of Chris Dare’s Ambition and Scott Lawson’s Mittere. Karl Kwok’s Beau Ideal finished eighth before responding with a win in race four.
The provisional SFR standings have Beau Ideal leading on 12 points, just one ahead of Anarchy on 13. Mittere is third on 15, with Ambition a further point back on 16. Only four points separate the top four.
Beau Ideal has a perfect four wins from four on IRC, leading on four points from Ambition on 13. RPAYC boat Edge share 15 points with Anarchy.
On ORC, Anarchy won race three and Beau Ideal won race four. Beau Ideal leads overall with five points, ahead of Anarchy on 13 and Mittere on 15.
Anarchy tactician Mark Dorling credited owner-driver Grant Pocklington’s work on the boat and a carefully assembled team for the performance so far.
“Grant has put a huge amount into improving the boat over the last 12 months. Add the right people in the right roles and it’s all come together. A fast boat makes my job easy!”
Dorling said the short-course twilight format had been “a lot of fun”, and that the evening racing experiment had worked really well.
“The regatta has grown from last year, bigger and better. Craig, Terry and the club have done a superb job.”
Race four also delivered strong results further down the Super 40 standings. RPAYC boat Bushranger finished second and RPAYC’s Mike Ritchie’s Revolver third on both SFR and ORC. For Revolver, the wooden Ritchie 38 designed by Mike’s father Bruce, it was the team’s best result of the series so far under both systems.
Friday 30 October shifts the programme to a twilight passage race, with the first warning scheduled for 6:00pm. Dorling hopes for “a good nor’easter and long legs up to Manly and back.”
Among the sailors balancing racing commitments with a special evening ashore are members of the Congressional Cup-winning Kairos Racing team. After Friday’s twilight race, they are due to head across the harbour by boat to the Australian Sailing Awards, where they are finalists for Team of the Year.
Windward-leeward racing resumes on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, with first warning signals scheduled for 10:55am on both days.
Live coverage on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November will be available on YouTube, with commentary from Nic Douglass, Peter Shipway and Katie Spithill.
How to watch, event information, notices and results: www.australiacup.org
About the LGT Wealth Management Australia Cup
The LGT Wealth Management Australia Cup brings the TP52 and Super 40 fleets together for Grand Prix yacht racing on Sydney Harbour. First held in 2025, the event combines competitive racing with opportunities for emerging sailors to race alongside experienced campaigners.
About TP52 Australia
The Australian TP52 Sailing Association brings together TP52 owners and crews for a national racing circuit. Its events include the Pallas Capital Gold Cup and the LGT Wealth Management Australia Cup, with racing designed to encourage competitive fleets across different generations of boats.
About Super 40
Founded by Mitch White, the Super 40 class brings together a range of performance yachts from 36 to 46 feet with asymmetric spinnakers. The class provides a platform for close racing and development, welcoming professional, amateur and emerging sailors.