Announcement

**Photoboy** · 02-24-2014, 10:31 AM

Those Scrappy Skiff Sailors

During the 75 years history of the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship there have been many ‘incidents’ which have involved teams who won the championship in which the incident occurred (albeit one them lost the championship on protest) and almost saw a breakdown between the governing bodies and competitors of Australia and New Zealand. Obviously, the high level of competition and the nature of the competitors who sail the 18ft Skiffs, as they try to gain any advantage possible over the opposition, lead to numerous protests and much ‘bad blood’.

Three of the most notable ‘incidents’ relate to the 1939, 1963 and 1984 regattas,

Taree, the first Giltinan champion in 1938

After winning the first regatta on Sydney Harbour in 1938, Bert Swinbourne (Taree) led the Australian team to Auckland to defend his title at the 1939 regatta. Huge crowds on the foreshore were estimated at 25,000 people, but the series was marred by several protests, the latter of which saw Swinbourne (the provisional winner) being disqualified, and New Zealand’s Gordon Chamberlain (Manu) declared the winner.

Gordon Chamberlain

Swinbourne lodged an appeal against the decision, but when the appeal wasn’t heard before the Australian team returned home, he decided to hang on to the trophy.
When the Australian Board of Control later upheld the New Zealand decision, Swinbourne didn’t agree and refused to hand over the trophy. He was expelled by the Australian League and for the next four years the Giltinan Trophy remained hidden in Swinbourne’s possession (said to have been under the kitchen sink in his house).
In 1944, he finally apologized for his actions and returned the trophy to the League.

Manu

It was subsequently handed over to New Zealand and presented to the ‘Manu’ owners. Gordon Chamberlin’s daughter, Elaine Hopping said this week: “The 1939 situation was indeed most unfortunate and dad never raced again. His passion was messing about in boats as we farmed on an island, so had boats rather than cars” Elaine explains, “He was a very gentle, quiet man and hated conflict. The disruption of going off to war also didn't help his racing continuity either”.

The second ‘incident’, also in Auckland, in 1963, involved Australia’s Ken Beashel, who won the title in ‘Schemer’. Beashel and his team were clearly superior throughout the series, but in Race 3 ‘Schemer’ was hit by a Royal New Zealand Air Force launch, which was carrying a TV cameraman.

Beashel recalls the incident: “We were sailing towards the finish with a reasonable lead when we had to tack. This boat, it was actually a small ship, came steaming up taking photos of us so I yelled at him to stop but the next thing he was aboard us." Beashel says. "I managed to climb up the stem and got on board and told him what I thought about him with my hands (I grabbed him and thumped him) then jumped back into the water to check my damaged boat. It created an international incident but the Australian Government’s External Affairs Minister told me not to apologise”.

The third “incident” occurred at the 1984 Championship, which was sailed on Sydney Harbour:

Peter Sorensen’s Tia Maria team was the defending champion and well placed to defend the title when one of the most bizarre incidents occurred.

It was just before the start of the race when, as sheet hand Matt Coleman recalls: “We tangled with the chain holding the marlin board on the starter’s boat. I don’t know how it started, but Big Kite (Dave Stephens) hit me and we were into it. We were standing toe to toe in the middle of the boat and I don’t know how we didn’t capsize”. Matt says.

“We were near Bradley’s Head and I remember the crowd there and people on the spectator ferry cheering loudly. Finally, Soro managed to break it up and we started late – well behind the other boats. Matt continues. “Big Kite had two broken fingers and I had a cut above the eye which bled throughout the race, but somehow we managed to get around the course and finished second or won. Honestly, I can’t remember”.

“Afterwards, I was taken to St. Vincents Hospital and Big Kite to Royal North Shore Hospital. It was just one of those things. Two aggressive, competitive young men who just exploded in the heat of battle.
We actually got on well together and were back in the boat the next then went on to win the championship”.

Suppose it takes a certain type of individual to tame an 18ft Skiff, but, whatever the reason, there is rarely a dull moment at the 18s.

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League

**Big Brass Balls** · 02-24-2014, 10:23 PM

We need more fisticuffs in sailing. Like ice hockey without the pads.

Forget the protest room, let the grinders sort it out.

**Photoboy** · 02-28-2014, 10:57 AM

John ‘Woody’ Winning will be competing in his 29th JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, proudly presented by Sydney City Marine, when he lines up against 33 of the world’s best 18ft Skiff teams from 1-9 March on Sydney Harbour. It’s an amazing achievement for the 61-year-old who first sailed in the championship at Auckland in 1977 on Travelodge.

‘Woody’ won the title in 2000 with AMP Centrepoint but this record may have been even better had it not been for the legendry Iain Murray and Color t in 1980 and 1981. On both occasions, Woody was runner-up with performances which probably would have won him titles at another time. He also had to be satisfied with being runner-up to Murray in three Australian Championships before claiming his first in 2000.

While John sailed three seasons for long-term sponsor Patrick Corrigan AM (Mitchell Cotts), he has elected to fund his own campaigns under the famous red & blue oval of ‘Yandoo’. Aside from his wonderful performances and great longevity in the class, John has an amazing love of the 18s history.

The Australian 18 Footers League’s fleet has benefitted and prospered through the support Woody has generated from many of his business-associated companies. It’s fair to say the strength of 18ft Skiff Racing over the past decade would have been tested seriously without Woody’s love of the sport. John’s other passion has been the establishment and success of ‘Historical 18 Footer Racing’ each week on Sydney Harbour.

These boats are replicas of past 18 Footers from the pre-1950 era. John owns, or part owns through a trust, seven of these boats and competes each Saturday as well as competing in his ‘Yandoo’ skiff in League races each Sunday. The first ‘historical’ boat he had built was a replica of Bill Stanley’s ‘Australia’ as that was the boat in which his father and uncle both sailed.

John at helm of Aberdare © Andrea Francolini

Others include ‘Alruth’ in dedication to the League’s legend Alf Beashel, ‘The Mistake’ which was the boat which ultimately led to the breakaway which created the ‘League’ in 1935 and ‘Aberdare’, which was the boat that “started it all”. Two others are ‘Australia IV’, an older design sailed by Bill Fisher (the replica was built by Fisher’s grandson) and ‘Yendys’, another famous old boat, the replica of which was built by the late Ian Perdriau.

Australia leads Myra Too images © Andrea Francolini

The final boat is ‘Myra Too’, a replica of the 1951 JJ Giltinan champion. This boat will be at Double Bay next Sunday prior to the start of Race 2 in the 2014 JJ Giltinan Championship, and is expected to be sailed by three generations of champions.

When you have personally known Woody for the past 35 years, or more, you must have a great respect for an incredible man. As great a sailor as he is and has been all his life, John’s love of his sport and life generally is inspiring and a great example for the younger generation looking to become the best they can.

When questioned about his ongoing career in the 18s, John was simply said: “I have no intention whatsoever of retiring. I’m enjoying my sailing and looking forward to chalking up number 30 Giltinan Championship regatta in 2015”.

Great news for us all.

As we honour James J. Giltinan this year for what he did for the 18s, there is no doubt John Winning is, at least, the equal of anyone who has ever contributed to the history and future of 18ft Skiff Racing.

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship

**Photoboy** · 02-28-2014, 04:20 PM

Capturing The Moment

Sydney Based photog Michael Chittenden has taken a liking to the 18 Footers, and this week
will be doing his thing during the J.J. Giltinans. Michael has found a magic bullet with his panning
technique which enhances the speed blur and brings a certain motion to the images.

Michael shoots from shore, which is made possible by Sydney Harbor multiple points
and bays, allowing him to decide on the probable course and set up accordingly. The bonus,
unless it raining, his gear does get wet and chances of getting run over by one of the 18's or a ferry
are dramatically decreased.

You can see more of Michaels work Here

And while we are giving some credit where credit is due, Frank Quealy has been quitely
providing coverage of the 18's in Sydney Harbor for some time, and will be once again
delivering us with a verbal blow by blow of this weeks activities! We thank you Frank!

18ft Skiffs

2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship
Proudly presented by Sydney City Marine
Friday, 28 February 2014
Sydney Harbour

Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage showed why the Gotta Love It 7 team is favourite for the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, proudly presented by Sydney City Marine, after a good win in the Invitation Race, sailed on Sydney Harbour today.

In a race sailed in a weakening SE breeze, Gotta Love It 7 took the honours by 1m27s from UK skiff Pica, sailed by James Mears, Stewart Mears and Matt Searle, with Fisher & Paykel (Grant Rollerson, Peter Nicholson, Geoff Bauchop) another 26s back in third place. With the championship proper to begin tomorrow, today’s results were good for the international teams as four countries were featured in the first nine places of the 34-boat fleet. Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) finished fourth, ahead of USA’s Howie Hamlin on CST Composites, Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane), The Black Dog (Jarrod Simpson, UK), Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney) and C-Tech (Alex Vallings, NZ).

Invitation Race Finishers

Race Dates are:
Saturday 1 March Race 1
Sunday 2 March Race 2
Tuesday 4 March Race 3
Wednesday 5 March Race 4
Thursday 6 March Race 5
Saturday 8 March Race 6
Sunday 9 March Race 7

The fleet for the championship:
1 Gotta Love It 7 Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton, Scott Babbage
2 Thurlow Fisher Lawyers Michael Coxon, Dave O’Connor, Trent Barnabas
3 Mojo Wine Chris Nicholson, Mike McKensey, Ricky Bridge
4 C-Tech Alex Vallings, Chris Kitchen, Joshua McCormack
5 Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel Jack Macartney, Mark Kennedy, Peter Harris
6 Sydney City Marine David Witt, Tom Clout, Matt Wark
7 Smeg Nick Press, Dan Phillips, Dave Ewings
8 Yamaha David McDiarmid, Andrew Archibald, Mark Overington
9 Fisher & Paykel Grant Rollerson, Peter Nicholson, Geoff Bauchop
10 Asko Appliances Marcus Ashley-Jones, James Dorron, Jeronimo Harrison
11 Lumix Jonathan Whitty, James Hozack, Aron Everett
12 Pica Jamie Mears, Stewart Mears,Matt Searle
13 CST Composites Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin, Nick Catley
14 Winning Appliances Shane Smith, Shane Dickson, Jake Restall
15 Yandoo John Winning, Andrew Hay, Jim Beck
16 Appliancesonline.com.au Micah Lane, Paul Montague, Tom Anderson
17 Haier Appliances Rick Peacock, Tristan Hutt, Nick Murray
18 Rabbitohs-Kenwood Brett Van Munster, Joel Castle, Kurt Fatouris
19 The Kitchen Maker Will Phillips, Malcolm Page, Cameron McDonald
20 Knight Frank Riley Dean, Matt Coutts, John Little
21 Original Chia Flemming Clausen, Soren Clausen, Kez Cameron
22 De’Longhi-Rabbitohs Simon Nearn, Kieryn Cowan, Keagan York
23 Pure Blonde Nick Daly, John Walton, James Smithers
24 Black Dog Jarrod Simpson, Daniel Nixon, John Sweeny
25 Maersk Line Graham Catley, Matt Randell, Brad Collins
26 Hyde Sails Jack Grogan, Sam Caslin, Michael Banks
27 Magic Marine Norbetr Peter, Finn Mrugalla, Eike Dietrich
28 Compassforex.com.au Pedro Vozone, Jakub Jankowski, Daniel Watson
29 EuroLink Friedrich Renner, Christian Meissner, Thomas Eggersdorfer
30 PB Towage Josh Franklin, Tristan Hamilton, Barry Flanagan
31 Viagogo Alexandra South, Greg Dixon, James Slee
32 Ilve Oliver Hartas, Josh Marks, Tim Lake
33 Brisbane 18 Footers Laurie Williamson, Daniel Smith, Nathan Smittmann
34 Layline Automation Skip McCormack, Jody McCormack, Joe Penrod

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship

**Photoboy** · 03-02-2014, 08:58 PM

JJ's Race 1 Then 2, Then 1 Again?

18ft Skiffs
2014 JJ Giltinan Championship, Race 1
Proudly presented by Sydney City Marine
Today’s race sponsored by Smeg
Sunday, 2 March 2014
Sydney Harbour

Following yesterday’s anti-climax when racing was abandoned after two attempts to complete a full course, Race 2 of the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, proudly presented by Sydney City Marine, went without major incident on Sydney Harbour today.

More poor wind conditions forced the race officer to shorten the course (a sensible decision) when the boats were almost drifting as they went for the windward mark in Rose Bay.

Gotta Love It 7 had led from shortly after rounding the first windward mark and looked certain for victory on the second run to Obelisk Bay, but the lack of wind on the work back to Rose Bay saw a massive turn around.

At the finish, Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton, Scott Babbage) took line honours by 48s form The Kitchen Maker but the result came down to just 20 metres in the dying stages.

Young Will Phillips only stepped onto The Kitchen Maker for this championship when regular sheet hand Darren McKavanagh was sidelined with a bad back.

Olympic Gold Medalist Malcolm Page, who normally skippers the boat elected to move onto the sheet and brought Will in to skipper.

The race for third was even closer as only 4s separated the third placed Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, Dave O’Connor, Trent Barnabas) and Jack Macartney’s Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel.

With a light S-SE wind, and little change predicted, all teams elected to go for their bigger No. 1 rigs.

The race to the first windward mark was amazing as two newcomer, young skippers led the fleet which included many world champions and experienced 18 Footer teams.

PB Towage, Josh Franklin from Brisbane, held a narrow lead from Will Phillips in The Kitchen Maker with Gotta Love It 7 close behind.

UK’s Pica (Jamie Mears) was fourth, followed by Sydney City Marine (David Witt), Pure Blonde (Nick Daly), Haier Appliances (Rick Peacock, UK), Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) and Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel.

The fleet produced a magnificent spectacle as the 34 skiffs raced from Clarke Island to Obelisk Bay with most boats racing in tight groups.

After working back to Rose Bay the first time, Gotta Love It 7 was leading from Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, followed by Coopers 62-Rag & Fisher Hotel, Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson), C-Tech (Alex Vallings, NZ), Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) and Sydney City Marine (David Witt).

The breeze fell away dramatically as the fleet finished the first lap back at Athol Bay.

For full details on the championship, Race Reports, Results, Points and video coverage go to www.18footers.com.au and ‘click here’ on the home page

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League

8ft Skiffs
2014 JJ Giltinan Championship, Race 1
Saturday, 1 March 2014
Sydney Harbour

Day one of the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, proudly presented by Sydney City Marine, produced a first in the 75 years history of the championship since it was first sailed on Sydney Harbour in 1938.

The end result being an abandonment of racing for the day with a re-sail likely on the first available lay day (Monday).

What made today a first was the fact that two races of a JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship were abandoned on the one day and the championship is still to begin.

The first attempt was set for a windward-return course of four laps and after two laps was abandoned due to a wind shift.

Smeg (Nick Pres, Dan Phillips, Dave Ewings) held a 30s lead at the time from THurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, Dave O’Connor, Trent Barnabas), The Kitchen Maker (Will Phillips, Malcolm Page, Cameron McDonald) and Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton, Scott Babbage).

A delay followed before the fleet was sent over a North-East course in a fading wind.

Once again Thurlow Fisher Lawyers was strongly in contention and led at the end of the first of three scheduled laps.

This time, Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson, Mike McKensey, Ricky Bridge) was in second place with New Zealanders Yamaha (David McDiarmid, Andrew Archibald, Mark Overington) and C-Tech (Alex Vallings, Chris Kitchen, Joshua McCormack) close behind Mojo Wine when this race was abandoned for the day..

For full details on the championship, Race Reports, Results, Points and video coverage go to www.18footers.com.au and ‘click here’ on the home page

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League

**Photoboy** · 03-04-2014, 03:33 PM

8ft Skiffs
2014 JJ Giltinan Championship, Race 3
Proudly presented by Sydney City Marine
Today’s race sponsored by Fisher & Paykel
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Sydney Harbour

A lack of consistent breeze forced officials to delay the start of Race 3 of the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship by 45 mins. on Sydney Harbour today.

When the race finally got under way, after one recall, three teams (CST Composites, USA, Haier Appliances UK, and Fisher & Paykel, Aust.) were black flagged, which reduced the fleet to 31 boats.

Despite very light, variable wind, which forced the starter to move the windward mark, then shorten the course by one lap, the finish was a great triumph for the New Zealand team which recorded and 1-2 finish.

Alex Vallings, Chris Kitchen, Joshua McCormack reproduced the form in C-Tech, which saw them take the San Francisco International Challenge late last year as the grabbed a 35s. victory today.

Fellow Kiwi team Yamaha (David McDiarmid, Andrew Archibald, Mark Overington) was a gallant second, just 5s. ahead of Australia’s top team Lumix (Jonathan Whitty. Aron Everett, James Hozack).

Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) was fourth today and has now taken the regatta lead over defending champion Seve Jarvin’s Gotta Love It 7, which could manage only a distant 12th.

The top six placings on points going into tomorrow’s Race 4 is Thurlow Fisher Lawyers on 9pts., followed by Gotta Love It 7 on 14, C-Tech on 18 Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney) on 19, The Kitchen Maker on 20 and Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson) on 24.

Conditions were a huge test of all teams on the leg to the windward mark off Watsons Bay where C-Tech held a narrow lead over Yamaha, Lumix and The Kitchen Maker (Will Phillips).

At the bottom mark Lumix had shown great light wind speed under spinnaker to grab the lead and was 28s. ahead of Yamaha, with C-Tech back in third place.

The trio had opened up a break over Mojo Wine, The Kitchen Maker and Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel, which were also well ahead of the following group.

At this point, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers was in 8th place and Gotta Love It 7 was only 17th and a long way from the leading group.

Lumix continued to lead Yamaha and C-Tech over the next lap of the course, as the trio clearly had the race to themselves.

After two laps, the starter was forced to shorten the course by one lap.

At the final windward mark, C-Tech had picked up better breeze than her opponents to lead Lumix by 45s, while Yamaha had dropped back a little to 1m25s from the lead.

The three teams fought hard in little wind all the way down the final leg and produced a great finish for the spectators.

Today’s Result Sheet and nine photos are attached.

Race 4 of the championship will be sailed tomorrow (Wednesday) with the following races on each day, except Friday, until Sunday 9 March.

A spectator ferry will follow all races, leaving Double Bay Wharf 30 mins. before the scheduled start time.

For full details on the championship, Race Reports, Results, Points and video coverage go to www.18footers.com.au and ‘click here’ on the home page

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship
proudly presented by Sydney City Marine
(75 years of the world's greatest 18 Footer Championship)

**Photoboy** · 03-06-2014, 10:11 AM

18ft Skiffs
2014 JJ Giltinan Championship, Race 5
Proudly presented by Sydney City Marine
Today’s race sponsored by De’Longhi
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Sydney Harbour, Australia

Seve Jarvin moved a step closer to equaling the legendry Iain Murray’s record when he steered Gotta Love It 7 to victory in today’s Race 5 of the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, proudly presented by Sydney City Marine, on Sydney Harbour.

Iain Murray won six championships between 1977 and 1982, inclusive, and Jarvin is set to equal that achievement as a skipper if Gotta Love It 7 can close out this regatta on the weekend.

The superb crew work of Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage was on show again today as the trio gave another faultless exhibition.

Once again the team had to come from behind in the early stages of the race before going on to score a 2m1s win from Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane, Paul Montague, Tom Anderson), with De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn, Kieryn Cowan, Keagan York) a further12s back in third place.

While the Gotta Love It 7 victory was comprehensive, the race for the next six placings was separated by only 30s.

Yamaha (David McDiarmid, NZ) finished fourth, followed by Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon), Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) and Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson).

Following today’s race, Gotta Love It 7 leads the regatta on 16 points, followed by Thurlow Fisher Lawyers on 22, C-Tech (Alex Vallings, NZ) on 31, Mojo Wine 33, Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney) 39 and The Kitchen Maker (Will Phillips) on 48.

Today’s race was sailed in a moderate south wind with most teams electing to go with their smaller #2 rigs.

Appliancesonline.com.au led Gotta Love It 7 narrowly at the windward mark, but a great ride on the long spinnaker run from Clarke Island to Obelisk saw De’Longhi-Rabbitohs take over from Mojo Wine, Asko Appliances, Gotta Love It 7, Yamaha, Appliancesonline.com.au and Sydney City Marine (David Witt).

Mojo Wine and Gotta Love It 7 applied the pressure on the work back into Rose Bay but De’Longhi-Rabbitohs’ crew were up to the task and retained a narrow lead.

De’Longhi-Rabbitohs retained the lead on the next spinnaker run back to the bottom mark before Gotta Love It 7 took over on the beat back to Clarke Island.

As the spinnakers were set for the final spinnaker run, Gotta Love It 7 had increased the lead to 1m10s over De’Longhi-Rabbitohs, with Mojo Wine and Appliancesonline only a few secs. back.

In the fading breeze on the work home there was little between the six teams which filled the placings behind the winners.

Race 6 of the championship will be sailed on Saturday, 8 March at 4pm and Race 7 on Sunday 9 March at 3pm.

A spectator ferry will follow both races, leaving Double Bay Wharf 30 mins. before the scheduled start time of each race.

NOTE: There will be two spectator ferries on Sunday 9 March.

For full details on the championship, Race Reports, Results, Points and video coverage go to www.18footers.com.au and “click here” on the home page.

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League

**Photoboy** · 03-10-2014, 10:39 AM

The Gotta Love It 7 team of Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage officially became the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff champions today after a magnificent regatta performance which saw the team score five wins and one second place from the six races which count towards the final points.

The win gave skipper Seve Jarvin his sixth victory as a skipper in the championship, equaling the record of Iain Murray (1977-1982, inclusive), who is now team manager for Gotta Love It 7.

In today’s Race 7 of the 2014 championship, proudly presented by Sydney City Marine, Gotta Love It 7 failed to register a perfect score by just 12s when the Asko Appliances team of Marcus Ashley-Jones, James Dorron and Jeronimo Harrison took the honours after a long battle with ‘7’ and third placed Yamaha, from New Zealand, which was only 7s behind ‘7’.

Seve and crew receive the blue ribbon

The final standings of the 2014 JJ Giltinans

Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson) finished fourth today, ahead of Pure Blonde (Nick Daly) and C-Tech (Alex Vallings, NZ).

Gotta Love It 7 finished on 7 points for a comprehensive victory.

Although only 11th today, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, Dave O’Connor, Trent Barnabas) was runner-up overall on 24 points followed by Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson, Mike McKensey, Ricky Bridge) on 28, C-Tech on 30, Yamaha 35 and Asko Appliances on 41.

Today, the three placegetters put on a great contest in the light ENE breeze for the entire course and only 19s separated the three teams at the finish.

Yamaha (David Mc Diarmid, Andrew Archbald, Mark Overington) took the lead soon after the start but Gotta Love It 7 was making a move and soon had pressure on the leader.

The Kiwi boat had good boat speed and sailed a great course as she held off ‘7’ to lead by 17s at the windward mark.

Asko Appliances was about another 1 min. behind the leader at that stage.

Yamaha extended the lead on the spinnaker run back to the bottom mark after electing to sail a totally different course to Gotta Love It 7.

Asko was also fast and joined ‘7’ as the pair turned for the next windward leg.

Another good leg upwind and Asko Appliances took the lead, while Gotta Love It 7 took Yamaha which seemed to suffer from a lack of local knowledge.

As the leaders headed for home Gotta Love It 7 had once again taken the lead late in a race and seemed a likely winner.

With only a few hundred metres from the finish Gotta Love It 7 still led but a brilliant finish by Asko Appliances grabbed a victory in the dying stages.

For full details on the championship, Race Reports, Results, Points and video coverage go to www.18footers.com.au and “click here” on the home page.

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship
proudly presented by Sydney City Marine
(75 years of the world's greatest 18 Footer Championship)

Announcement

2014 J.J. Giltinans

2014 J.J. Giltinans

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