After a two-year hiatus following an unfortunate dismasting during the 2022 Geographe Bay Race Week, Mark Pitt’s Beneteau First 35 ‘Mulberry’ has rejoined the Ocean Racing WA fleet and currently sits atop the leader board halfway through the FSC Valmadre Series. Under the watchful eye of 2021 and 2022 HYC Sportsperson of the Year, Wayne Pitcher, and with several other Corinthian Cup winning crew from the 2022-23 Siska runner-up J122 ‘Lithium’ bolstering Mark’s regular crew, Mulberry has shocked the rest of the fleet with impressive results in the opening two races to sit 1st in Division 1 PHF and 3rd in Division 1 IRC. With consecutive 1st place finishes in Division 1 PHF in Race 1 and 2, the fantastic results so far reflect Mark’s determination to reset Mulberry and develop crew for offshore adventures following the 2022 setback. Crew onboard includes the current and future Rear Commodore Sail, as well as the current and future HYC Sportsperson of the Year.  Mulberry flies the HYC flag amongst a very competitive fleet of 30 boats from as far afield as Bunbury, Mandurah and the other metropolitan clubs for the 4-race series. Good luck to Mark and crew in the remaining two races.

Ray Murphy