Race Teams for 2006

Updated 8th April 2006

Design: Chamberlin 9 catamaran
Division: 1 - Main Racing

Crew: Phillip Marshall (11), Devonport Tas; Gwyn Alway (5), Launceston Tas; Charlie Nolan (1), Mt Nelson Tas; Mark Guy (9) runner, Hobart Tas; Paul McKenzie (5) runner, Launceston Tas.

Winner in 2005 and runner-up in 2002 and 2004 this team has a very good record and must be considered a race favourite. Well sailed with experienced and skilled runners they will give other teams a tough competition. After many years trying for a win they will want to prove that they can win two in a row.

Passing Low Head Lighthouse in 2004.

Photo: Paul Scambler

Design: Farr 37
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: David Taylor (1), sailor, Sandy Bay Tas; Graeme McKibben (1) sailor, Blackmans Bay Tas; Andrew Greene (1) sailor, Lenah Valley Tas; Geoff Hickey (0) sailor, Sandy Bay Tas; Aaron McKibben (0), sailor, Blackmans Bay Tas; Jim Nixon (0) sailor, NSW; Jane Crosswell (1) runner, Hobart Tas; Dale Lancaster (2) runner, Somerset Tas.

One of two Farr 37 yachts will ensure that there will be a match race within the race. Pippin is a proven sea boat that will be well sailed. Runner Jane Crosswell, an employee of Hydro Tasmania, is guaranteed a large support team keen to follow her progress in her second race.

Veteran Sydney Hobart skipper David Taylor greatly enjoyed last year's race that allows the crew to interact with the public, test navigation skills and, with the combination of running and sailing, gives a dimension he had not previously experienced. He describes it as "the most challenging and enjoyable yacht race in Australia".

Design: 11.6 m catamaran
Division: 1 - Main Racing

Crew: Peter Newman (2), Devonport Tas; Jamie Cooper (4) sailor, Lilydale Tas; Robert McLelland (0) sailor, Lilydale Tas; Aubrey Hendricks (1) runner, Launceston Tas; Allan Hood (1) runner, West Hobart Tas.

Probably the most comfortable way to travel in the Three Peaks Race, this catamaran will also give its crew a fast and dry ride. Their task is keep the pressure up on this cruiser for the duration of the race to challenge the lighter cats.

Design: Radford 14
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Nick Edmunds (17) sailor, Sidmouth Tas; Ross Edmunds (9) sailor, Sidmouth Tas; Sam Edmunds (9) sailor, Sidmouth Tas; David Wright (17) runner, Bridgenorth Tas; Andrew Jones (2) sailor, Ulverstone Tas; Mark Bailey (1) runner, Sisters Creek Tas; Rick Ferguson (1) runner, Ulverstone Tas.

Nick has competed in every race since the start in 1989 but this year for the first time in the Fully Crewed Division. If experience counts then this team will be good for line honours but with on-water handicaps applying in this division it will be interesting to see if they can claim the double, line and handicap honours.

Design: Huon 10
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Mike Rowley (0) sailor/runner, Kingston Tas; Todd Sproule (0) Howrah Tas; Donovan Oak (0) sailor; Peter Coad (0), Margate Tas; Brett McKay (0) sailor, Glenorchy Tas; Sharen Willing (1) runner; Andrew Law (4) runner, Kim Gibson (0) sailor, West Hobart.

Another of a group of smaller yachts in the race, this first time team is set for a great experience. In club racing this yacht has shown good form and will do very well in moderate running conditions.

Design: Pearson 11m
Division: 1 - Main Racing

Crew: Graham Stevenson (2) sailor, Kettering Tas; Alison Turnbull (1) sailor, Kettering Tas; Mick Burrows (0), Kettering Tas; Rod Andrewartha (6), Bellerive Tas; Jacqui Guy (7), Hobart Tas.

Owners Stevenson and Turnbull have a different team together this year's race. When talking to them they give the impression that regardless where they are placed it doesn't matter as participation is what counts. Yet another yacht in the smaller range they will have plenty of competition on the water to keep the pressure on.

Design:
Division: 1 - Main Racing

Crew: Ross Clark (3) sailor, Exeter Tas; Nicholas Clark (1) sailor, Exeter Tas; Michael Smith (1) sailor, Launceston Tas; Iain Law (3) runner Vic; Mark Padgett (2) runner, Summerhill Tas.

Scoring a fourth place last year after launching this new yacht Ross will be keen to advance his position this year. The runners will also post some good times to provide a consistent all round performance expected.

Design: Robinson 12
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Julian Robinson (2) sailor, Deviot Tas; Douglas Grubert (0) runner, Newnham Tas; Glenn Campbell (0) sailor, Legana Tas; Philip Gaunt (1) sailor, Deviot Tas; Matt Wilson (0) runner, Devonport Tas; Peter Martain (1) sailor, West Launceston Tas; Rodney Lockhart (3) sailor, Gravelly Beach Tas; Sarah Gibson (0) sailor, Relbia Tas.

This West Tamar team scored a second in the fully Crewed Division last year so will be keen to take full handicap honours. Julian has put a number of miles in his own designed and built yacht this last 12 months sailing in the 2005 Sydney to Hobart Race.

Design: Jones 40
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Josh Ey () sailor, Blackmans Bay Tas; Mick Hawes (2) sailor, Conningham Tas; Tim Malone (4) sailor, Kettering Tas; Sean Mennitz (0), runner, South Hobart Tas; Rod Mennitz (0) sailor, Woodbridge Tas; Peter Bayles (0) sailor, Lenah Valley Tas; Adam Goode (0) sailor, Port Huon Tas; John Claridge (1) runner, Karoola Tas.

Having performed exceptionally well in the last two Melbourne Hobart Races BSH Electrical Team Q could leave the fleet in it wake if hard running conditions prevail. Its deep draft will keep the crew busy navigating Franklin Sound at Flinders but they have done it very successfully before. The runners are capable of good times so a solid performance is expected with this team.

Design: Mumm 36
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Jeff Cordell (16) sailor, Howrah Tas; Stephen Catchpool (3) sailor, Hobart Tas; Richard Eccleston (5) runner, Moorooka Qld; Darren Pithie (3) runner, Brighton Vic; David MacFarlane (10) sailor, Legana Tas; Gavin Cowell (0) sailor, Hobart Tas; Paul Curry (3) sailor, Bellerive Tas; Gary Eiszele (0) sailor, Roches Beach Tas.

A fast yacht that is always sailed well and also gets good results in club racing. Combined with this running duo who could easily take some of the mountain run legs they will set a big challenge for other teams to stay with them.

Design: 10 metre Seawind catamaran
Division: 1 - Main Racing

Crew: Phillip Amos (0) sailor, Mt Pleasant NSW; Peter Amos (0) sailor/runner, Fernhill NSW; Jack Tighe (0) sailor/runner, Leura NSW; John Szabo (0) runner, Figtree NSW.

One of the three catamarans in the race making its first appearance. They have optimised this cruising cat to better its quite reasonable performance and, if nothing else, will do the race in some comfort. A relativey new vessel that has already done many sea miles so it will not be bugged with teething problems. The all-round adventure focus appeals to this team.

Raising money for charity to maximise Tilman points the team has raised in excess of $1000 for Oxfam.

Design: Van Der Stadt 10.25 m sloop
Division: 2 - Cruising

Crew: Greg Hall (2) sailor, Legana Tas; Kelvyn Dexter (2) sailor, Grindalwald Tas; Adrian Jones (0) sailor, Beauty Point Tas; Dane Febey (0) runner, Burnie Tas; Lloyd Febey (15) runner, Burnie Tas.

For the second consecutive year this team has had a father and son pair of runners. Veteran runner Lloyd Febey is initiating his son into Three Peaks racing and if he takes after his father he looks like a long running career ahead of him. Coming last for the last two years they are wondering if a hat-trick is in order. It is the only entry in the Cruising Division.

Design: Farr 37
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Alf Doedens (2) sailor, Kingston Tas; Geoff Piggott (0) sailor, Sandy Bay Tas; Aaron Murray (1) sailor, Lindisfarne Tas; Benn Morgan (1) sailor, Mornington Tas; Mark Butler (0) sailor, Sandy Bay Tas; Josh Schouten (0) runner, Legana Tas; Stuart Ryan (0) runner, Invermay Tas.

The second Farr 37 in the race will ensure that this crew will be kept on its mettle. The team would prefer hard windward conditions to pull away from their competitors but the pressure will be on the first time runners to meet the challenge of life at sea and long distance running. A team that could well surprise its competition.

Design: Adams monohull sloop
Division: 1 - Main Racing

Crew: Tristan Gourlay () sailor, Sydney NSW; Phillipa Girling (0), sailor Tas; Rob Gourlay () sailor, Sandy Bay Tas; Chris Hills (1) runner, Riverside Tas; Jarad Kohlar (0) runner, Vic.

A quick yacht that could surprise many in the right weather. Sailing from Sydney the crew will be sea hardened and ready for a good result. This team could well put pressure on the race favourite.

Design: Dubois 30 monohull sloop
Division: 1 - Main Racing

Crew: Tim Ferguson (0) sailor, Launceston; Les Savage (12) runner, Devonport; Ben Savage (1) runner, Devonport; Sebastian Verbeeten (0) sailor, Riverside; Piers Findlay (0) sailor, Low Head Tas.

First time for this team entry except for one of the most experienced runners in the race. Should enjoy a close race on the water with the other small yachts but being in the Main Race Division will need a miracle to feature in the overall sailing resuilts. The team runners are experienced and will give valuable support to the team.

Design: Rocket 31 monohull sloop
Division: 3 - Fully Crewed Racing

Crew: Michael Denny (0) sailor, Moonah Tas; Andrew Davison (6) sailor, Bellerive Tas; Scott Brain (0) sailor, Bellerive Tas; Mark Dawson (0) sailor, Mt Nelson Tas; Eric Young (0) runner, Tas; John Wilson (0) runner, Burnie Tas.

This is the first time to race for this boat and team and they will rely heavily on the experience of Andrew Davison. One of the smaller yachts in the fleet may find it difficult to stay with larger boats but may surprise under handicap results. THe yacht will enjoy moderate free-sheet conditions.