Reichel/Pugh 72' URM GROUP Wins 2022 Flinders Islet Race and Sets New Course Record

Exchanging the overall lead multiple times throughout the 88nm Flinders Islet Race, Anthony Johnston's Reichel/Pugh 72 URM Group, skippered by Marcus Ashley-Jones, beat Sean Langman's Reichel/Pugh 69 Moneypenny by just 39 seconds on corrected time. URM Group took 43 minutes off the previous record set by David Griffith’s 62 Whisper in the 2021 race. 

"We are quite pleased with the performance," Ashley-Jones said. "The result is a reflection of AJ's [Anthony Johnston] continued development of the boat to turn it into a world class racing yacht. There are some talented new crew members and it's great to see the full potential of the boat being unlocked… Every second counts when you're out there racing. It's a combination of the whole crew working together - from the bow team to the trimmers keeping the boat fast and tacticians putting us in the right position to make the most out of the wind shifts."

There is experience aplenty on URM Group, pictured above at the Sydney Hobart Race, with new additions, including Jarvin, Phil Harmer, Dick Parker, Ben Piggott and Matiu Te Hau. "We seem to have found the record-breaking combination with three Johnston brothers on board. The last time Andrew, Nick and Dave raced with us, we set the Bird Island Race record! The Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore is the prestige of Australian offshore yachting. It builds the crew well for the Rolex Sydney Hobart.”

Moneypenny was the Overall Winner of the series-opening Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. She was second over the line for Flinders, however took the handicap wins on ORCi and PHS. Pictured below is Reichel/Pugh 69' Moneypenny Winning 2020 Bird Island Race.

About the Race
The Flinders Islet Race is an 88nm race.  The race starts on a Saturday morning near Point Piper on Sydney Harbour.  The fleet proceeds out Sydney Heads and tracks south down the coast to round Flinders Islet, approximately 1nm east off Port Kembla Harbour, Wollongong, before returning to finish in Sydney Harbour.

2022/23 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore - Full Results
2022 Flinders Islet Race Photo Gallery

2022 Flinders Islet Race IRC All

1. URM Group
2. Moneypenny
3. Gweilo

2022 Flinders Islet Race IRC Division 1

1. URM Group
2. Moneypenny
3. Gweilo

2022 Flinders Islet Race ORCi All

1. Moneypenny
2. URM Group
3. Gweilo

2022 Flinders Islet Race ORCi Division 1

1. Moneypenny
2. URM Group
3. Gweilo

Source/Photography: Cruising Yacht Club of Australia