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The Seven Network and Australia’s best known sailor, Iain Murray, are back on Sydney Harbour

Posted 1 year, 10 months ago

The Seven Network and Australia’s best known sailor, Iain Murray, are back on Sydney Harbour
The people behind Color 7, which changed the face of sailing in Australia and dominated 18’ skiff racing winning six consecutive world championships, are committing themselves to a new team to watch: Gotta Love It 7. Gotta Love It 7 brings together Seven, Murray and three young, up-and-coming and already well-credentialled sailors, Seve Jarvin, Rob Bell and Sam Newton. The team has been created under a cloak of secrecy over several months, with the design of a new skiff, under Murray’s direction, the selection and training of a team of young sailors, under the management of Andrew Palfrey, and planning for Gotta Love It 7’s foray into the Australian Championships in October and the World Championships in February.Details of the new team were announced today by Murray and Seven’s Chief Executive Officer, Broadcast Television, David Leckie. 'We can’t wait to see that big red Seven back on Sydney Harbour,' Leckie said. 'We are pleased to be back in the game and delighted to have formed a new partnership with Iain Murray. We and Iain are going into this for the right reasons, electing to create a team from scratch and picking three young guys that represent a key part of the future of sailing in Australia.'We’re also delighted that Ted Thomas is a part of our journey. Ted is a great television executive who in his time leading the Seven Network, backed Iain Murray in Color 7 and his America’s Cup Challenge, and we’re so pleased to have him back with Seven and the skiffs to help us build on his original foresight and vision.'Commenting, Seven’s Head of Sport, Saul Shtein, a long-time skiff sailing friend of Murray, welcomed the crew of Gotta Love It 7 to Seven: 'Iain and I go back a long way through sailing, and he has shown he is a champion both on and off the water. This is a true partnership,' Shtein said. 'We’re looking forward to Gotta Love It 7 competing in the Championships, and our own coverage of not only the World 18’ Championships but the Rolex Sydney – Hobart Yacht Race later this year.''We are thankful to Seven, David and Saul, who are re-igniting the vision. This is history going back and now coming forward for me,' Murray, who will mentor the crew, said, as he remembered his years with Seven. Seven is also backing Murray and his crew Andrew Palfrey, with their Olympic campaign for Beijing in 2008 in the star keel class.The teamAfter sifting through a vast amount of young potentials, Murray came up with Jarvin, Bell and Newton. 'These three are the right fit,' he said. 'It wasn’t an easy decision; there were a lot of stand-out people there. But these three have been sailing as a crew in match racing boats long term and have been ultra successful, which is a good sign of a great team.' Too true. The trio has been described as a 'magic combination' and 'unstoppable' many times. There is a real team cohesion here which has seen them win many youth matching racing events, both here in Australia and internationally.When it comes to the 18s, the three 20 year olds have been sailing 18 foot skiffs separately for a short time. The most experienced of the three, Jarvin, as crew, won the prestigious JJ Giltinan Worlds in 2005 and finished third in 2006. Under his guidance, and with some practice, the three should make a formidable combination.Others onboard Seven’s new project and providing product to the crew is classy new clothing line Zhik, and world-renowned boat hardware company, Harken. The skiff’s spectacular graphic look was created by Seven’s in house creative team, led by Chris Cross.The skiffsEighteen foot skiffs have been sailing on the Harbour since the 1800s, and through the years have evolved in design and weight; today’s skiffs bear little resemblance to their historical predecessors. They are one of the most exciting and fastest centreboard boats, and consist of a mainsail, jib, spinnaker and a choice of two rigs. They feature 'wings' protruding from both sides of the boat, allowing crews to lean from trapeze wires connected from the mast to a belt on each crew’s waist, which help keep the boat sailing flat and upright.The '18' is a difficult boat to sail, requiring strength, agility, dexterity and a crew’s ability to read weather conditions, which in turn helps them decide whether to use a big or small rig. One capsize can make the difference between winning and losing; and on a windy day there are many spills and thrills.According to Murray, 'The 18 foot skiff competition is at its peak right now. There are so many boats from Australia and overseas competing in this essentially one-design boat now, and the competition is a lot harder.' The 18’ skiffs race each Sunday and the season starts in October. For those wanting to follow these exhilarating skiffs racing on Sydney Harbour, a ferry departs from home of the 18 foot skiff, the Australian 18 Footers League Club at Double Bay, prior to race commencement each week, where the public can watch crews rig their boats in the park before departing. Those preferring to watch from shoreside, can do so from Shark Island, Bradley’s Head on the North side of the Harbour, Nielsen Park at Vaucluse, Camp Cove and its headland at Watsons Bay and many other vantage points around the Harbour.The Australian 18 Footers League Team Seven’s Gotta Love It 7 crew will race from the Australian 18 Footers League, which was founded back in 1935, and is considered 'the home' of 18 foot skiffs.Its first Secretary, James J. Giltinan, established a World Championship for the class in 1938. The winning trophy, which Giltinan had specially designed, was named his honour. It remains the ultimate 18ft skiff prize; awarded to the world's best 18ft skiff crew annually. Providing competitive boats and close racing for young Australians, the Club plays a major role in building and developing both local and international 18ft skiff competition. In 2006, competition in the United Kingdom, USA and New Zealand fleets is strong, while Australian numbers are growing, as is the fierce competition, particularly in Sydney. Based in an idyllic position on Sydney Harbour, at Double Bay, the now modernised 18 Footers League features a well-patronised licensed clubhouse with fantastic dining facilities. The Club provides funding that has resulted in a huge contribution to 18ft skiff sailing, both in Australia and overseas, including the construction and rigging of over 50 new international design skiffs, with many more planned for the coming year. For those interested in the history of the 18ft skiffs, a trip to the Club is recommended. Members and visitors alike are taken back in time when they view the walled tributes of the early 18’s - and the extraordinary people who sailed them. Racing in the now one-class format (the skiffs measure to a formula, making for equal competition), is at an unprecedented level in the history of the sport, and the club has a solid commitment to continuing down this path. Full Story »

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