MAT 1245, OBSESSION, was powered to the podium this season by UK Sailmakers Titanium upwind sails and Matrix spinnakers by UK Sailmakers Fremantle. Photo Ⓒ TP72 Nautical Imagery.
OBSESSION, a MAT 1245 designed by Mark Mills and owned by Paul and Ceris Arns, has capped off a dominant offshore season in Western Australia with another decisive win—this time in the 80-nautical mile Pieces of Eight race. Hosted by South of Perth Yacht Club, the challenging figure-eight course tested crews across a range of conditions, starting in over 30 knots and easing gradually through the day.
Powered by UK Sailmakers Titanium upwind sails and Matrix spinnakers from UK Sailmakers Fremantle, OBSESSION thrived under pressure. “The bow team were kept very busy with sail changes,” said skipper Paul Arns. “With all the crew on task, Team OBSESSION held off ALFRESCO for a good part of the race and pushed the blue boat hard to the end. After over 11 hours of racing, we crossed the line only a few minutes behind them—a great competitive finish.”
The OBSESSION crew during the Pieces of Eight race, including a sheet change adventure for Will (left). Crew photos © Obsession Racing, tracker map by YB tracking.
With a provisional win on IRC, OBSESSION locks in the 2024/25 ORWA Siska Trophy, Western Australia’s top offshore racing prize, awarded annually to the most outstanding yacht on IRC across the Blue Water Championship.
Team OBSESSION needed several pairs of hands to collect the silverware at the 2025 Cape Naturaliste Return Race. Photo © Obsession Racing.
This win follows closely on the heels of OBSESSION’s victory in the 200nm Cape Naturaliste Return Race last month, hosted by the Royal Perth Yacht Club. With a perfect picket fence in the last five events of the series, OBSESSION has proven herself the boat to beat—fast, consistent, and expertly sailed.
Congratulations to Paul, Ceris, and the entire OBSESSION crew on a stellar season.
Link to full results here.
