The new MC38 Australian Champion - Steve Barlow's Lightspeed, Maserati 2nd, Ginger 3rd, Hooligan 4th

Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Mosman NSW, Australia: The MC38s are back at it and the new season began with fireworks, Lightspeed struck hard by Lazy Dog in a port/starboard incident in fresh conditions on Saturday February 1 and unable to finish the day, but ultimately returning to claim top regatta honours.

It was the one time the class opted not to use on-water umpires; a decision Australian president Shaun Lane says is a test case that won't be repeated.

With owner Steve Barlow out with a shoulder injury, Lightspeed was helmed by James Mayo, best known as crew on the champion Etchells called Magpie, the current Australian titleholders and runners-up at the class' world championship in 2019.

Mayo's had his eye on the MC38 class for a while and jumped at the chance to drive. "We trained on Friday in 26 knots which was a good learning curve. Over the course of the series I had to make sure I really focused on what the others, who know the boats best, were saying, and not let my instincts take over."

According to the protest outcome, Shaun Lane and Quentin Stewart's Lazy Dog, nicknamed 'naughty dog' after the Middle Harbour Yacht Club-run first act, failed to keep clear in a port/starboard and broke rules 10 and 14. They completed their turn at time but the jury imposed a much harsher penalty in the room, disqualification from race two.

"The bow of Lazy Dog hit our port side just forward of the last stanchion which meant when they disconnected from us they took all the lifelines with them, including the bow rail," said crewman Daniel Turner of the incident. "It was quite a large impact as both boats were fully loaded. The Lightspeed shore crew worked in the scorching sun all afternoon and Sunday morning grinding carbon and getting the boat back together. The good thing about racing one design is there are usually parts available, so boats can keep racing."

Lightspeed returned to the racetrack, The Sound area between North and South Head, on Sunday to complete three races under MHYC race officer Steve Tucker's direction. Their scores of 2, 4, 3, added to Saturday's 2 then average points for races two, three and four awarded by the protest committee, gave them the lowest score and the series win.

The next time the MC38s meet will be on Sydney Harbour for the 2020 Australian Championship hosted by MHYC March 13-15. -- Lisa Ratcliff

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