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NSW Championship – Race 1

Posted 1 year, 9 months ago

NSW Championship – Race 1
The Club Marine crew of Euan Mc Nicol, Scott Babbage and Cameron Mc Donald gave an outstanding exhibition of sailing skills and teamwork when they took out Race 1 of the Ssangyong Winning Appliances NSW 18ft Skiff Championship in extraordinary conditions on Sydney Harbour today (Sunday). With a southerly wind howling at around 40 knots and big seas sweeping across the harbour, the Club Marine boys took victory while the rest of the fleet were barely able to keep afloat.Finally, the defending champions Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Nathan Ellis brought Fiat across the finishing line 23mins 41secs behind the winner.It was another 10mins 53secs before the third placed Delonghi (Grant Rollerson) greeted the judge.Minor placings, after big efforts, went to Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris, in fourth place, Keith Piggin Estate Agents (Peter Morrison) and Ssangyong Yandoo (John Winning)Ultimately, ten skiffs completed the course from the 24 entries.A last minute wind change delayed the race start and forced officials to also change the course from southerly to a four lap windward-leeward.When the fleet finally got under way the early lead was being fought out by Gotta Love It 7, Rag & Famish and Fiat which were windward of Fisher & Paykel.Club Marine tacked away early and went to windward of the entire fleet.The move ultimately proved a winner as Club Marine led by 15secs from Fisher & Paykel at the first windward rounding buoy.Asko Appliances also benefited from being in a windward position and was a further 15secs back in third place.The early leaders Fiat, Gotta Love It 7 and Rag & Famish were next just ahead of a group headed by Ssangyong Yandoo..Club Marine continued to lead after the downwind spinnaker leg but Fiat took over on the following leg back to the second windward mark.Fiat held a narrow lead over the next two legs of the course with Asko Appliances and Club Marine in hot pursuit at the half way mark.The wind strengthened and the seas began to swell as the fleet approached the third windward mark and it was obvious that there were going to be some problems for everyone.Fiat was first to capsize as she tried to bear away around the mark.It was survival for all on the spinnaker run as new race leaders Asko then Fisher & Paykel both capsized off Rose Bay.Conditions were now beyond the capabilities of most teams as skiffs were capsizing all across the harbour.Club Marine capsized but regained their composure to lead at the leeward mark with still one more lap to go.Garry Linacre, the experienced starter and judge, watch Club Marine sail home under spinnaker and said later it was and “unbelievable” exhibition by the three man team.All in all a sensational start to the NSW Championship, which will continue next Sunday on Sydney Harbour.Frank QuealeyAustralian 18 Footers League(02) 9363 2995 Full Story »

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