Members of the local sailing community with long memories would remember Razzamatazz 2’s arrival in Port Macquarie in the early 1980’s. Owned jointly by PMYC life member Les Boaden, and Kevin Brown, the modified Farr 1104 “Raz” contested numerous Pittwater to Coffs series, and Pittwater to Lord Howe series, while dominating local yacht racing scene for many years.

Raz took a back seat when Les Boaden brought Sydney Hobart winner Indian Pacific to Port Macquarie around 2000, with that yacht being preferred to Raz for most ocean events while Raz mainly contested twilight races.

With Indian Pacific’s unavailability Raz is reliving its glory days on the ocean once again, now being helmed by Vice Commodore Andrew Macleod, and taking the honours in the first two ocean events of the 2025 season.

A disappointing fleet of four faced the starter for last Sunday’s long ocean event. It appeared Third Man was first across the start line with Raz in close pursuit, less than a boat length behind and at the more favoured end of the start line, allowing that boat to quickly overhaul Third Man. Kookaburra 2 trailed Raz, some way back, with Cool Change last to cross.

The yachts sailed different division courses with Third Man and Cool Change sailing the division one course while Raz and Kookaburra 2 sailed the longer division two course.

Cool Change well sailed by Teddy Clausen picked the wind shifts along the course and came from well behind to be in advance of Third Man well before by the first mark of the division one triangular course, and reversed recent form by sailing away from Third Man to be well clear at the finish. Of the division two boats, Raz was ahead of Kookaburra 2 at the first mark of her triangle and stretched her lead over the race distance, finishing 11 minutes clear ay the finish.

After handicaps were applied Raz was the clear winner from Kookaburra 2 with Cool Change taking third place.

With two wins in the first two races of the 2025 season, Razzamatazz 2 is clear series leader with Cool Change and Third Man being equal second each four points behind the resurgent Razzamatazz 2.