Tony Kirby launched his latest Patrice, a Ker 46, in November just prior to the CYCA’s Cabbage Tree Island race, in which he finished fourth overall after leading the fleet to the Island. Next he won the Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship and finished second in IRC Division 1 of the CYCA Trophy Series.

Kirby was devastated when he felt it prudent to retire from the Rolex Sydney Hobart when he discovered minor hull damage, but his earlier results from the CYCA Trophy and the Port Hacking to Bird Island Race were enough to help claim the newly reinstated Southern Cross Cup with team members Victoire and Wild Rose. Back racing at the Festival of Sails in January, Kirby was second in IRC Division 1 and placed second in division at both the NSW and Australian IRC Championships.

Adding Ian ‘Barney’ Walker and Darren ‘Twirler’ Jones to his strong crew on a great boat won’t hurt new CYCA director Kirby’s chances in the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race.