(Rich Roberts' report and images, richsail@earthlink.net) The Australian arrived a stranger in town but made himself right at home with the familiarly frisky winds and tides and fog and even an unfamiliar mid-regatta heat wave to win the ninth annual 18ft Skiff International Regatta, hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco.
On his first visit to San Francisco, Michael Coxon overcame a stumbling entrance with five wins in the last eight races to hold off by one point another young Aussie, John "Herman" Winning Jr., who won three.
Howard Hamlin, an original organizer and two-time winner of the event, won the other race in a mid-regatta move before falling victim to the nature of the class that lives on the edge of catastrophe. In this case three crashes, including one instigated by "Herman" and, indirectly, Coxon.
Hamlin said. "He's never been here and he comes in and figures it out right away".
Under a blanket of fog exclusive to the bay, Coxon was again unbeatable. A two-time winner of the JJ Giltinan International Trophy, the 18s' world championship, he sailed the Thurlow Fisher Lawyers-sponsored skiff with a confident crew of Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas, who have won three and five Giltinans as crew, respectively.
"Boat handling", he said. "It's hard to overtake boats ... there are no passing lanes. But the biggest thing is staying upright". He learned that while running well in the week's first race when a flip turned first place into eighth, which he later discarded, as he figured out the 'Frisco scheme of sailing. As Links said, is "which way to go in the tide ... go right. Jibe when it's not too breezy. It's real different than Sydney, which is more shifty".
"It's a different thing over here", Coxon said. "It's great to beat these guys in their home waters ... and it was really special winning the Bridge race".
Day 4's dramas set up Coxon and Winning Jr. for a showdown deadlock, each with 11 points, going into the last race.
Moments after the final start, Coxon, Winning Jr. and Hamlin were sailing on starboard tack toward the sea wall fronting the St. Francis Yacht Club when Hamlin, on starboard right of way, and Winning Jr., on port, collided, flattening Hamlin's CST Composites-sponsored skiff with the crew scrambling in the water.
Back at Crissy Field staging area, "Herman" explained: "What happened was we had Michael Coxon to leeward of us, and normally when you get close to the shore you can call 'water', which means the boat above you has to tack, and he was calling it on us. I thought it was too early, but we then called it on Howie (because) it's a basic rule and we all have to abide by it".
Awaiting Hamlin's return to shore, Herman said, "In hindsight, we definitely should have ducked Howie". They all engaged in several minutes of animated discussion of the incident, and then parted with cool handshakes.
(report and images from www.pressure-drop.us) The 2010 18ft Skiff International Regatta ended today with much less drama than the previous 24 hours. 24 hours had been eliminated during Day 4's Bridge-to-Bridge event due to injuries sustained by Graham Catley (NZ) and Chad Freitas (USA).
With 12 boats on the line, four of which were still in contention, the fleet were quite happy to see conditions mellow down to a reasonable 13-20 knots and comparatively millpond conditions to the prior day.
Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Appliancesonline went into the day with 11 points each, closely followed by Yandoo and CST Composites with 17 and 19 respectively.
Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas aboard Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, fresh off victory in the B2B the night before, assumed the lead in both races and never looked back. Even John Winning's treachery and cunning, in Yandoo, fell slightly short and could only muster a close second. John Winning Jr., aboard Appliancesonline, managed a third to complete an Aussie 1-2-3 sweep. Howie Hamlin, the defending champion, settling for a disappointing fourth.
Winning Jr. and Hamlin mixed it up at the start of Race 9 right smack dab in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club clubhouse. Clearly Winning Jr's miscue in a port tack situation cost Appliancesonline a chance for another top finish but not much more.
The Kiwis finished mid fleet and were genuinely impressed by the venue and vow to return in greater numbers. While they only have an eight-boat fleet in Auckland, the fleet is growing and enthusiasm is as well. The Aussies continue to show enthusiasm for the venture.
Hopes for a professional leg to a triple crown in San Francisco still abound, and there's hope with a new, very wealthy fan lurking in the wings.
This was the first time an all womens team in the US. Chad's Angels with Katie Love, Mallory McCollum-Bozina and Yvonne Galvez fell just short of their intended goal to get around the course at least once. Today's mast issues did not help, but their enthusiasm remains high.
They plan on taking the boat to Long Beach and sailing for a month, then reconvening in the spring and get some serious on the water time to work on the critical timing issues which make the 18s such a huge challenge. They hope to enlist some additional female talent from the 29er and 49er gals, which were distracted by the goings on in Cork, Ontario this time around.
The Trunk Monkey Team also admit the lack of time behind the wheel as a detriment, but they are in it for the long term, even planning on attending the JJ Giltinan in Australia this Winter (US time).
ERIK SIMONSON'S ACTION IMAGES
Erik Simonson www.pressure-drop.us has taken many great shots of the 18s over a number of previous International Regattas on San Francisco Bay. The following two show his skills in wild Bay winds on Day 4 of the ninth regatta.
For a look at many more of Erik's images, with a musical background, go to:
Australia's Michael Coxon leads fellow-Australian John "Herman" Winning Jr. on countback after a wild Day 4 of the ninth 18ft Skiff International Regatta on San Francisco Bay.
Conon's Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Winning Jr. Appliancesonline share the points table on 11 points but Coxon and his crew (Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas) hold the tiebreaker with four first places from the seven races sailed to date.
Day 4 was dramatic. Competitors were warned by the St. Francis Yacht Club's Race Manager John Craig before they launched their skiffs into the meaner elements of San Francisco Bay. "Get ready to get wet".
That wasn't the half of it. Before the day was over the 18s seventh race of the week would be cut short as boats flipped over like in a slapstick film, and then the ensuing Bridge to Bridge Race from the Golden Gate to the Oakland Bay suffered similar catastrophe.
Michael Coxon, New Zealand's Alex Vallings (CT Sailbattens) and John Winning Jr. swept the first three places over all of the kite boards and windsurfers, with John "Woody" Winning fifth in Yandoo. But only one other 18 finished and two sailors were injured - Maersk Line skipper Graham Catley (NZ) with a severely cut lower left leg and Chad Freitas (US) with possibly broken ribs.
Freitas' skipper Paul Galvez, said. "Something happened and he went flying forward. At that point we were done".
The race's defending champion, Howard Hamlin from Long Beach, a few hundred miles south, didn't even get beyond the Golden Gate before toppling seconds after the start - his second flip of the day.
A few minutes before they all left the beach Matt Noble, a local resident who crews for Hamlin, spoke about the hazards of the bay. "My only worry is down by Alcatraz", Noble said, noting the westerly breeze that would blow as hard as 29 knots while opposing a 3.5 knot ebb tide. "It has a working undertow effect, especially with the ebb tide. That's usually the hardest part of the race. The waves back up in there".
Noble was a prophet. Within the hour, one by one, each of the lead boats - first Coxon, then Hamlin and "Herman" and "Woody" Winning - would fall victim to Noble's words of warning until six boats lay flipped flat simultaneously near the notorious former island prison.
No cons are known to have safely escaped from Alcatraz, and neither did any of the 18ft skiffs in this particular race. Before it got worse, John Craig fired the cannon to abandon the effort.
There was no immediate decision on whether there would be an attempt to complete the 10-race schedule with three races on the final day. Whatever is decided, the bay may get its way. The forecast is for a steep drop in temperature, which usually means big winds.
Here are a few more great images by Chris Ray and pressuredrop.us from the ninth 18ft Skiff International Regatta, hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, Calif.
TIGHT AT THE TOP IN SAN FRANCISCO
After three days hard racing, only six points serarates the top four teams in the ninth annual 18ft Skiff International Regatta, conducted by the St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco.
John "Herman" Winning Jr., Peter Harris and Euan McNicol lead the pack in Appliancesonline with a net points tally of 8, followed by Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas in Thurlow Fisher Lawyers on 10, John "Woody" Winning, David Gibson and Andrew Hay in Yandoo on 13 and Howie Hamlin, Matt Noble and Fritz Lanzinger in CST Composites on 14.
It was a different look for sailing on Day 3. On the city's hottest day of the year (96 degreesF), the breeze felt like Waikiki and the beach at Crissy Field overrun with sunsoakers, dogs and joggers looked like Mardi Gras at Rio.
Day 3 races were won by Michael Coxon's Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Howie Hamlin's CST Composites, while the regatta leader Appliancesonline managed only a seventh placing in Race 1 (her only finish worst than second place in the six races so far).
With the high-pressure system hanging over the bay, the wind was only a late arriving 10-15 knots, and solving the channels of wind puffs and currents in the week's persistent ebb tide was a challenge.
For the second race it produced an odd spectacle of half the boats starting on starboard tack at the committee boat end of the line and half starting on port tack from the pin end.
Although the port tack starts had led to all victories up until then, Hamlin and his crew worked their way out of the conventional gang to lead at the windward mark near the bridge.
Then, instead of jibing back to the far side of the course, as almost everyone does, they went for the beach, avoided the dogs chasing tennis balls in the water and delayed their jibe before shooting back across the fleet and covered the Winnings for the rest of the two-lap race.
Lanzinger, whose chores on CST Composites include watching the conditions as guides around the course, said, "We played a few puffs along the shore, and our ability to be patient helps, especially when you're doing 14 knots and the other guy is doing 20".
They made one bold call on the second lap to tack away from their followers short of the layline to the mid-course gate, but it paid off. They rode the ebb tide expertly and sailed higher than their rivals who tacked on the layline but soon were directly behind again. Lanzinger said, "We have a real high (pointing) mode ... that's been our strength. We use it to our advantage".
Some of the images taken by Chris Ray and Pressuredrop.us from the first two days racing at the ninth 18ft Skiff International Regatta on San Francisco Bay.
AUSTRALIA 1 - 2 - 3 AT SAN FRANCISCO
Day Two of the ninth 18ft Skiff International Regatta in San Francisco was a great day for the Australians who took out both races and are now placed 1 - 2 - 3 on the point score.
The Thurlow Fisher Lawyers team of Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas recovered from average Day One results to show why they have multiple Giltinan Championship wins to their credit. The talented trio took out both races on Day Two for a points total of 13 to trail the series leaders John "Herman" Winning Jr., Peter Harris and Euan McNicol (Appliancesonline) on 6 points.
Thurlow Fisher Lawyers leads the pack on Day Two
John "Woody" Winning (Yandoo) with placings of 3,2,3,5 for 13 points is in third place with defending champion Howie Hamlin (CST Composites) fourth with placings of 2,4,5,4 for 15 points.
The three leading Australian teams have been rolling the waves on port tack starts, which are risky at best, but when it works the payoff has been huge by eliminating a laborious tack and launching the perpetrators directly into the best breeze on the right side of the course and victories in the first four of 10 races scheduled in the regatta.
USA's CST Composites and New Zealand's Maersk Line in action on San Francisco Bay, Day 2
"Port tacks have reached the top mark first both days", said Michael Coxon, who popped out into quick leads to win both races going away. "It was a glorious day. We figured there would be more boats doing it, but we just got out on top of them".
Coxon, a first-time visitor the The City, said his opening day error (capsize in Race 1) may have been because "the San Francisco night life was too tempting. We made a lot of mistakes yesterday, but last night I had a good night's sleep".
(extract and images from Rich Roberts report)
WINNING WAYS IN SAN FRANCISCO
John "Herman" Winning Jr. (24) showed his dad John "Woody" Winning (58) and everyone else the way by winning the first two orf 10 races on Day One of the ninth 18ft Skiff Internatikonal Regatta in San Francisco.
"Herman" and his Appliancesonline team of Peter Harris and Euan Mc Nicol lead the points table on 2 points, followed by "Woody", Andrew Hay and David Gibson on Yandoo with 5 points after third and second placings in the two races sailed on the bay.
Defending champion Howie Hamlin, of Long Beach, California, along with his CST Composites crew of Matt Noble and Fritz Lanzinger recorded second and fourth placings for a total of 6 points and third placing.
"Woody" on Yandoo & "Herman" on Appliancesonline do battle on
Day One of the 18ft Skiff International Regatta in San Francisco, California
As an arriving high-pressure system turned the weather up from chilling to merely refreshing, the wind was only 15 knots - modest for San Francisco Bay.
Sailing a 1.5 mile windward-leeward course fronting the host St. Francis Yacht Club between the Golden Gate Bridge and the city front, "Herman" stole the first race at the gun by boldly crossing the fleet of a dozen other boats on no-rights-at-all port tack. The pin (left) end of the line was favoured by just a few feet, but the point was to gain a straight shot to the best wind on the right side of the course, while everyone else had to tack when they could to get there.
It also helped that the rivals were less than aggressive in their approach to the start line. "You want to be on port tack", McNicol said, "and the fleet was generous".
Day One leader Appliancesonline on busy San Francisco Bay
"Herman" said, "We were conservative when we could be", covering the competition.
The win was a runaway, while Hamlin overtook "Woody" with a starboard vs. port cross a boat length from the upwind finish to seize second place in a beep-beep signal by the horn.
Michael Coxon and his all-star Thurlow Fisher Lawyers crew of Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas (with multiple JJ Giltinan World Championships among them) capsized while running third and finished only eighth. They recovered with a third place in race two for an overall fifth place on 11 points.
Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Appliancesonline
show their downwind speed on San Francisco Bay
In the second race, "Woody" repeated "Herman's" tactic by crossing the fleet on port tack, although he couldn't hold off the kid for long. The race was schedules for three laps, but as the one-hour time limit approached it was cut short to two with a downwind finish.
(extract from Rich Roberts' report)
GILTINAN CHAMP'S FIRST TIME AT SAN FRANCISCO
2006 and 2007 Giltinan Champion skipper Michael Coxon will be competing in the 18ft Skiff International Regatta at San Francisco, California for the first time when the regatta begins on 22 August.
Michael, along with his crew Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas (runners up in the 2010 Giltinan Championship), will sail Thurlow Fisher Lawyers against a fleet of 16 teams in the ninth annual regatta, hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club.
"I've always wanted to do this event. Everybody says how good it is", Coxon said.
John Winning, a longtime winner on the world circuit, has been spreading the word for years. Now New Zealand will be represented for the first time by three boats.
John Winning prepares to launch his 'Yandoo' skiff for a practice sail
"To the sort of people that sail skiffs, it's the perfect place", Winning said, while also giving his home waters their due "this place is like Sydney when a nor'easter is blowing".
Howie Hamlin, of Long Beach, California is the defending champion. He came from behind to beat Winning by one point last year, and was the leader of the only team not to flip.
The 18s can reach 30 knots in ideal conditions, but the test includes playing the rivers of current and wind that vary across the 1.5 mile long course. This year offers an especially ugly factor; an afternoon ebb tide of 2.2 to 3.5 knots building through the week.
"More than you want", Winning said. "If you're going downwind and bury your (spinnaker) pole in a wave it stops you dead".
That's not what some of the teams wanted to hear. One is the event's first all-woman crew of daring California girls Mallory McCollum, Katie Love and Yvonne Galvez, among a few local entries organized by Chad Freitas, leader of the bay's Skiff Sailing Foundation (skiffsailing.org)
First all-woman crew to compete in the 18ft Skiff International Regatta
Another woman, Jodi McCormack, of San Francisco, will sail with her husband Skip as skipper and the talented Paul Allen in the middle. The 24 year old McCormack said, "I've sailed 29ers with Chad, and they had the boat here, so why not? We've been practicing over the last few months. We even did a practice flip".
(extract from Rich Roberts' report)
PREVIEW: 18ft SKIFF INTERNATIONAL REGATTA
The ninth annual 18ft Skiff International Regatta starts in San Francisco on Sunday 22 August and will again show the appeal of skiff racing as a spectator sport when the fast and frighteningly unstable three-person boats are winging it in reliable brisk breeze in the natural amphitheatre fronting the host St. Francis Yacht Club and its next door neighbour, the Golden Gate Yacht Club.
Howard Hamlin, the Long Beach saltwater thrill seeker, who has won world championships racing on the edge on International 14s, 5o5s and on the 18s in the JJ Giltinan classic in Australia, won his third in a row last year when he and his team were the only ones to keep their wildly overpowered craft upright through all five days.
This time with four competitors from New Zealand joining the fun with a half-dozen locals and Aussie icon John Winning and his mates, there will be as many as 18 boats in the field.
"By far the most we've ever had", said Hamlin, who was already out practicing with crew Matt Noble and Fritz Lanzinger last week. "It's more of an event sailing in San Francisco. Guys around the world understand how cool it is".
The regatta sails a course about 1.5 miles long from inside the Golden Gate Bridge to a leeward mark set in the narrow gap between the historic prison site of Alcatraz Island and the city front. At the course's widest mid-point there is only about three-quarters of a mile between the beach at Crissy Field public park next to St. Francis Yacht Club and the busy commercial shipping lanes on the north side, but that's not seen as a problem.
Racing action during the 2009 International Regatta at San Francisco
John Craig, the StFYC racing director, sets a mid-course gate to merge the fleet, and, he said, "the flood tide (of 4-5 knots) creates that minimum alley when you can't go far from shore. It makes the visuals awesome".
Hamlin adds, should a few 18s stray too far north seeking stronger breeze, "freighters are not a problem, we have them in Sydney Harbour (during the Giltinan). We just sail around 'em".
With controlled course perimeters and the necessity of playing nature's currents and wind channels, even super fast boats (the 18s reach 30 knots downwind in 25 knots of breeze) are forced into close proximity.
"That's why we do it", Hamlin said. "It's always tough here...the ultimate in skiff sailing. You wake up in the morning stoked, like going to war".
The 18s will have their days on the bay with two races a day starting at 1pm Sunday through Thursday, except Wednesday when the 18s will race at 5pm, followed by the traditional Bridge to Bridge 7.5 mile charge from the Golden Gate past the city to the Bay Bridge when kiteboarders and windsurfers will join in the fun.
The International 18ft Skiff Championship, San Francisco will be conducted by the St. Francis Yacht Club from 22-26 August with a fleet of 18 skiffs from Australia, New Zealand and USA competing.
There is always plenty of action associated with this regatta and the upcoming event will surely produce the same wave jumping spectacle as shown at the link, which was sent to us by Erik Simonson, www.pressure-drop.us and www.h2oshots.com.
We thank Erik for his wonderful shots and look forward to seeing his 2010 pics in due course.
One of Erik's sensational images from a past San Francisco Regatta
HOWIE HAMLIN
UNITED STATES 18ft SKIFF LEGEND
Without a doubt, the greatest U.S. 18ft Skiff sailor has been Howie Hamlin, who won the Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour in 2002 and 2003 with his GE-US Challenge skiff.
Howie Hamlin and his Giltinan Championship-winning skiff GE-US Challenge
As well as being one of the world's best 18ft Skiff sailors, Howie has also been one of the world's best 5o5 sailors for many years. He boasts a remarkable record in the 5o5 World Championship, winning at Quiberon, France in 1999 as well as being 7 times runner-up and 4 times third placed in the highly competitive event.
Another highlight for Howie was his victory in the 2006 International 14 World Championship, sailed from the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, California. Teamed with Howie for that win was Australia's Euan Mc Nicol, himself a three time winner of the Giltinan Championship (two as skipper and one as crew with John Winning in 2000).
Howie originally came to the 18s at the 1996 Giltinan Championship at the suggestion of legendry 18 Footer champion Iain Murray (six times Giltinan champion from 1977-1982, inclusive) and has been a regular competitor at the world's most prestigious 18 Footer championship over the following 15 years.
Two images of Howie at the Giltinan Championship - Pegasus Racing (left) and Harken in 2010
Aside from his personal achievements at the Giltinan Championship, Howie has been a driving force behind the 18 Footers in the United States and, in particular, the annual International Regatta, conducted by the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.
Howie is the current champion of the 18ft Skiff International Regatta and will be defending his title in San Francisco from 22-26 August, under the sponsorship of CST Composites.
Action at the 2009 International Regatta, San Francisco
(photo by Erik Simonson, h2o shots)
His love for the 18s is well known and Howie backs his words with action by attending each year at the European Championship as well as the Giltinan Championship and, of course, the San Francisco International Regatta. Howie speaks on video and in a Sailing Anarchy article (see links):
Howie and his CST Composites team launching and racing at the 2010 European Championship, Lake Garda, Italy
Two Giltinan Championships are obviously the highlight of Howie's 18ft Skiff career, however he has also won the International Regatta in San Francisco five times, the European Championship four times and the U.S. Championship several times.
Howie's 2009 Harken skiff in action in the U.S. Championship. The winning crew, Matt Noble, Howie, Fritz Lanzinger
'THE TEAM' - HOWIE HAMLIN & MIKE MARTIN
Howie's illustrious sailing career cannot be stated without special mention of Mike Martin, who has sailed alongside Howie for most of his triumphs.
'The Team' was together when they won the 1999 World 5o5 Championship and when they won the two Giltinan Championships.
Howie and Mike in action winning the 1999 World 5o5 Championship
(photo by Jacques Vapillon)
Mike showed his talent when he became the first 5o5 sailor ever to win the 5o5 World Championship as a crew (with Howie in 1999) and as skipper in 2009 (with Jeff Nelson at San Francisco).
From their many trips 'Down Under', Howie and Mike have not only built up a great respect from their fellow competitors but are extremely popular with all competitors, administrators and supporters of the 18s, who look forward to seeing them each year at the JJ (Giltinan Championship).
UK GRAND PRIX - ROUND ONE
Round One of the UK 18ft Skiff Grand Prix was sailed from Stone Sailing Club and resulted in a win for the recent German Grand Prix winning Pica team of James Mears, Stewart Mears, Sandy Ramus. Investec (Mason Woodworth) finished second with Hyde (Jack Grogan) in third place.
Winning Pica crew: (l-r James Mears, Sandy Ramus, Stewart Mears
On Day One, conditions were light with winds only 3-10 knots. In Race 1, Mason Woodworth's Investec led at the first mark but was passed by James Mears' Pica shortly after. Hyde was in third place.
The light and variable winds made for great racing as anyone could make big gains or losses at any time.
Light, variable winds make it tough going for the top teams on Day One of the UK Grand Prix
Pica, however, once in front, was able to take control and went on to win from Investec and newcomer Jack Grogan in Hyde. Race 2 was sailed in very similar and testing conditions and produced the same top three placings as Race 1.
In Race 3, Investec won the start from Hyde while Pica was in third place and struggling for a clean lane in the favoured right hand course. Investec held the lead for all three laps, while Pica managed to pass Hyde downwind - although never really threatening Investec.
Day Two produced a sunny 20 knot South Westerly. Steve Mc Lean (Hurley Palmer Flatt) opted for a 'brave' No. 1 rig while Mason Woodworth sensibly decided not to race following his recent serious back operation.
As the breeze continued to build, the Pica team did a quick rig change and opted for the No. 2 rig, which paid off as she was the only skiff to make the race area.
Photographer Thomas Eibenberger recently covered the German 18ft Skiff Grand Prix at Travemuende and the Viking 18ft Skiff Grand Prix at Sonderborg, Denmark.
A small selection of his images from these regattas appear below and more are included in the 'International Photo Gallery' page.
Links to view all Thomas' 18ft Skiff images from the two regattas are:
Danish champions Flemming Clausen, Thomas Ebler, Soren Clausen won the Viking 18ft Skiff Grand Prix at Sonderborg, Denmark with a strong finish in GP Covers on the final day.
The UK Pica team of James Mears, Sandy Ramus, Stewart Mears, who recently won the German Grand Prix finished in second place, with the European champion Hungarian team of Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar, Matyas Majtenyi, Zsomber Szepfy third in Liberty Sailing Team.
On Day 2, the forecast was SW wind from 16-20 knots and gusting to 24 knots, and all teams had no alternative but to go with their No. 2 rigs.
The wind increased which resulted in many capsizes. On the final downwind leg, the leader Steinlechner Boatswerft capsized just 200 meters from the finishing line.
GP Covers team had victory in sight but also capsized just a few meters from Steinlechner Boatswerft, allowing the Brits to take the race in Pica.
Forecast for Day 3 was for 10-18 knot wind from the south. Two teams stayed with their No. 2 rigs while the rest went for the bigger No. 1 rigs.
At the start the wind increased and the boats with the bigger rigs were disadvantaged. The waves were choppy and the difficult conditions also caused further capsizes.
GP Covers had two wins and a second placing to secure her win in the Grand Prix while the German Eurolink team Friedrich Renner, Christian Meisner, Tom Eggersdorf showed good speed in the final race only to capsize on the spinnaker run to the finish.
VIKING 18ft SKIFF GRAND PRIX - DAY ONE
Light winds on Day One of the Viking 18ft Skiff Grand Prix at Sonderborh, Denmark saw all teams elect to go to their big No. 1 rigs for the day's three races.
There was an anticipated battle between three of the top teams from the recent German Grand Prix.
German Grand Prix winner Pica (James Mears, Stewart Mears, Andy Ramus) of the UK, European champion Liberty Sailing Team (Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar, Matyas Majthenyl, Zsomber Szepfy) of Hungary, and the local Danish champion GP Covers (Flemming Clausen, Soren Clausen, Thomas Ebler).
Fleet leaders approach the windward mark during Day One of the Viking 18ft Skiff Grand Prix
At the end of Day One's racing, GP Covers had recorded two wins (Races 1 and 2) and a third placing in Race 3, to lead with a nett total of 2 points, ahead of Liberty Sailing Team on 3 points.
Liberty Sailing Team's results were progressively improving each race with third and second placings ahead of a win in Race Three.
Pica was in third place on 5 points, followed by Germany's pair Euro Link (Friedrich Renner) on 6 and Magic Marine (Norbert peter) on 10.
The forecast for Day Two is for stronger winds which should see all teams go for their smaller No. 2 rigs.
GERMAN GRAND PRIX - FINAL RESULT
The British Pica team, skippered by James Mears, won the German 18ft Skiff Grand Prix when they finished five points ahead of Denmark's Flemming Clausen and his GP Covers team at Travemuende.
Third place overall went to Hungary's European champion Liberty Sailing Team, skippered by Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar.
Four German teams filled the next four placings. Friedrich Renner's Eurolink finished fourth ahead of Remember the Days, Magic Marine and Berlinsyndikat.
As predicted, the wind was light, very light for the third day and it wasn't until 5pm before the teams could launch their boats.
Germany's Magic Marine (Norbert Peter)
a 'surprise' winner of Race One
The first race started in a moderate 10 knots seabreeze, which later decreased to 6 knots, and resulted in a remarkable win for the German Magic Marine team, skippered by Norbert Peter.
Magic Marine had problems in the pre-start time and capsized just one minute before the start. The team fought their way back to cross the finish line in fifth place, but it wasn't until later they realised they had actually won the race when they learned the four teams ahead of them had all recorded OCS.
The Liberty Sailing Team had to do a 360-degree turn after a collision at the top mark and finished in second place.
In Race Two, Liberty Sailing Team led from the start and clearly showed their lightwind skills, while luck deserted the German Magic Marine team and they finished well back after being forced to restart.
The fleet now moves on to contest the third 2010 European Grand Prix event, "The Viking 18ft Skiff Grand Prix" from Denmark's Sonderborg Yacht Club.
GERMAN GRAND PRIX - DAY TWO
Day two conditions wer much better than those experienced by teams on day one of the German 18ft Skiff Grand Prix at Travemuende.
Generally, the wind was around 14 knots, although there were some lighter and stronger wind periods, and less wave problems for the scheduled three races.
With some expected gusts of 25 knots, only the Hungarian European champion Liberty Sailing Team, skippered by Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar, elected to go with their big rig while the rest decided to be on the safe side.
The British Pica team, skippered by James Mears, won the first race from day one leader GP Covers (Flemming Clausen) of Denmark. The Hungarians struggled with their big rig to finish third ahead of the leading German team Magic Marine, skippered by Norbert Peter.
Day two leader, Pica UK (James Mears)
The second race saw the Magic Marine get a good start which allowed it to lead at the first mark. Unfortunately, the skiff capsized in a sudden gust on the 2-sail reach to the second mark and the team had to watch as the whole fleet went past.
Pica was showing great form in the conditions and the Brits went on to an easy win.
The decreasing wind in race three was ideal for the Hungarian Liberty Sailing Team and their big rig. They scored an impressive win over GP Covers and Pica.
At the end of the day's racing, the overall ranking shows Pica leading on 22 points, followed by GP Covers with 25 and Friedel Renner, from Germany, on 47 points.
Day three conditions are expected to produce light winds which could bring interesting tactical racing.
GERMAN GRAND PRIX - DAY ONE
Day one of the German Grand Prix took a heavy toll on the 18ft Skiff fleet as the teams from Germany, Denmark, UK and Hungary battled fresh winds and 2-meter waves at Travemuende.
A steady 16-knot breeze, increasing to 18 knots, with gusts of 19-22 knots made it essential for each team to use the small rig.
It wasn't the wind, however, but the big waves that made conditions so treacherous.
Norbert Peter, skipper of German skiff Magic Marine, said: "Going upwind was like riding a wild mustang and downwind a mixture of huge jumps and nosedives. Nearly everybody succeeded today in nosedives".
Results on day one have the Danish GP Covers team of Flemming Clausen, Soren Clausen and Thomas Ebler in the lead after two wins from the three races.
Day one leader GP Covers (Denmark) seen above
in calmer conditions at Lake Garda last month
UK's Team Pica (James Mears) follows in second place with a second in race two and a win in race three.
Team Pica's win came when she was the only skiff to complete the course in race three after GP Covers capsized on the first gybe and the race leader Magic Marine broke her pole coming down a large wave.
Among the first day casualties were a crewman with a broken finger on Team Pica, a "bloody bruise" requiring stitches on the sheet hand of Berlinsyndikat, a broken wing on Hungary's European champion Liberty Sailing Team and the broken pole on Magic Marine.
With so much carnage to most of the fleet, the regatta is wide open as teams prepare for the expected 17 knots of wind on day two.
YACHTING WORLD'S BOAT OF THE MONTH
Reproduced from 'Yachting World' magazine - May 2010
BIG WEEK FOR 18s IN EUROPE
From July 24 to August 1, the European 18ft Skiff Association will stage regattas in Travemuende (Germany) and Sonderborg (Denmark) as part of the 2010 European 18 Footer Circuit.
Travemuende - scene for regatta 24-27 July
First of the two regattas is the Travemuende event, which will be sailed from 24-27 July. A lay day for travelling will follow on 28 July with the Sonderborg event being sailed from 29 July-1 August.
Trevemuende will also be for the German 18 Footer Championship with at least eight German teams competing for that title as well as other European teams representing Denmark, Hungary, UK and France.
Sonderborg - scene for regatta 29 July-1 August
Leading contenders for the German Championship are Magic Marine (Norbert Peter) and Euro Link (Friedrich Renner), who have been the top two German teams at major European regattas for the past two years.
Norbert Peter's Magic Marine
The Sonderborg regatta is the Viking 18ft Skiff Grand Prix, which will be conducted by the Sonderborg Yacht Club, the host club also for the Mark Foy International regatta in June 2011.
Flemming Clausen's GP Covers
Top local team for Sonderborg is GP Covers (Flemming Clausen, Soren Clausen, Thomas Ebler), several times winner of the Euroepan Grand Prix and 2006 European champion.
Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar's Liberty Sailing Team
Hungary's recently crowned European champion Liberty Sailing Team (Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar, Matyas Majthenyi, Zsomber Szepfy) will also be among the hardest to beat in what promises to be a great week of competitive 18ft Skiff Racing in Europe.
Issue #363 of 'SEAHORSE International Sailing' magazine carried a 3-page feature by former Giltinan champion Rob Brown 'Evolution (not revolution)' on the possible future of 18ft Skiff Racing.
HUNGARIAN TEAM IS 2010 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to the Hungarian Liberty Sailing Team of Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar, Matyas Majthenyi and Zsomber Szepfy on becomming the European 18ft Skiff champions for 2010, when they led home the European-based teams from Germany, UK and France at the European Championship, sailed at Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy earlier this month.
It was a just reward for Miklos (Mike) and his crew who have been both good supporters and ambassadores for the 18s for several years.
Liberty Sailing Team - 2010 European Champion
Miklos summed up the team's performance: "It's hard to believe it's true. We didn't expect to be European champions".
"It was a perfect regatta for us. Nothing went wrong on our boat, we had good trim and quite good speed. Our crew work was perfect and so we didn't have any problems with our manouvres".
"On the first two days we had good races. The third day was our bad day. Small breeze and we thought it would be more. Not good boat speed and bad starts - good there was only two races on that day".
"The fourth day was our big day. We went big (because our small rig is an aluminium mast, only good in heavy conditions) and thought we could stay out of trouble. We managed to do it and finished 4, 2, 2".
"On the last day we had to finish inside the first five and so we became the European champs".
June 2010
EUROPEAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
IMAGES
The following images were taken at the recent European 18ft Skiff Championship, Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy and have been provided to us by Norbert Peter. Photographs were taken by Latsi Meissner and another (unnamed) photographer and we thank them both. (for more and larger images go to the 'International Photo Gallery').
WHERE WAS CHRISTOPHE FAVREAU ?
French photographer Christophe Favreau has been following the 18ft Skiff circuit in Europe, USA and Australia for the past few years (see our previous story on Christophe by scrolling below on this page) but was missing at the recently completed European Championship at Lake Garda, Italy.
One obvious question was "where is Christophe". The answer came as no surprise when we received an email from him with a selection of photographs of the CANNES Festival he had taken for a French magazine.
A small selection of these photos is shown below:
Looking at these photographs, is it any wonder why Christophe chose the glamour of CANNES over the male dominated competitors and skiffs at Garda.
Hope his pregnant wife (their baby is due early September) understands why he had to choose the CANNES shoot.
To see more of the CANNES images and the rest of Christophe's work, go to:
Anders Lewander's representation of Sweden in the 2010 Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour was recently covered as a 6-page feature in the Spring Issue of the Swedish 'Search' magazine (see below).
EUROPEAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
(Final Result)
Australia's Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and newly recruited member of the Gotta Love It 7 team Scott Babbage, dominated the European 18ft Skiff Championship which was sailed at Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy.
The Gotta Love It 7 team recorded 8 wins and 2 second placings for a total of 12 points to defeat fellow Australian teams SLAM (Grant Rollerson) on 32 points and appliancesonline (John Winning Jr.) on 34 points.
America's Howie Hamlin (CST Composites) finished fourth on 38 points with the top European team, Hungary's Liberty Sailing Team (Miklos Ujhelyi Gaspar) fifth on 44 points. As top Europeans on points, the Hungarian team becomes the European champion.
For the final points and all race placings for each boat, go to:
DAY 5: The final two races of the championship were sailed in perfect conditions - sunny with 12 knots of wind.
Following Day 4's incident between appliancesonline and the British TMF team, TMF weren't able to sail and received redress for the series which put pressure on the other European teams. Right from the start the teams were nervous and the Danish GP Covers (Flemming Clausen) was recalled. The first recall during the championship.
The fleet made their way along the beach and had some interesting tacking duels within 50 metres of the beach. As has been usual during the series, Gotta Love It 7 led at the first mark while the battle for the other podium places held much of the interest behind the leader.
(thank you to Norbert Peter and www.18footer.org for providing information for these reports)
EUROPEAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
(Day 4 Report)
DAY 4: After a calm morning, the south wind came in stronger than on previous days with perfect conditions of 15-18 knots. Most teams deciding to go for their little rig although three stayed with their #1 rig.
The first race saw Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) in front of the fleet with a little rig - seemingly the right decision. Most of the teams with their big rigs had problems. Appliancesonline (John Winning Jr.) and TMF (Jarrod Simpson) collided - leading to disqualification of appliancesonline.
The wind was up to 18-20 knots, with gusts to 22 knots, for the second race which Gotta Love It 7 dominated - leaving the fleet stretched behind. At the finish, Liberty Sailing Team (Miklos Ujhelyi Gaspar) was second after taking advantage of a last gybe capsize by Magic Marine (Norbert Peter), which finished third after a quick recovery.
SLAM (Grant Rollerson) changed to her smaller rig for the final race of the day but Gotta Love It 7 led at the first mark from Magic Marine and SLAM. After a stunning downwind leg with SLAM jumping out of the water, the final jump was too big and SLAM capsized.
The race finished with another win for Gotta Love It 7, followed by the strong Hungarian team on Liberty Sailing Team - the only good big rig performer on the day. Next were the German trio of Remember the Days II (Chris Hagenmeyer), Euro Link (Friedrich Renner) and Magic Marine. CST Computers (Howie Hamlin) was sixth and SLAM seventh. It was by far the best day for the European teams.
Progress Pointscore: (allowing for discard)
9.0 Gotta Love It 7 Seve Jarvin Australia
26.0 SLAM Grany Rollerson Australia
28.0 appliancesonline John Winning Jr. Australia
32.0 CST Composites Howie Hamlin USA
35.0 Liberty Sailing Team Miklos Ujhelyi Gaspar Hungary
36.0 TMF Jarrod Simpson UK
48.0 GP Covers Flemming Clausen Denmark
53.0 Magic Marine Norbert Peter Germany
59.0 Remember The Days II Chris Hagenmeyer Germany
60.0 Euro Link Friedrich Renner Germany
94.0 Hyde Sails Jack Grogan UK
96.0 Bandol Olivier Dumaine France
EUROPEAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
(Day 3 Report)
DAY 3: Races 6 and 7 on the 3rd day of the European Championship provided no surprises amongst the four leading teams in the regatta. Seve Jarvin (Gotta Love It 7) had a win and second placing to retain the lead with Grant Rollerson (SLAM) scoring a win and a third to stay in second place. Howie Hamlin (CST Composites) retained third placing with a third and fifth while John Winning Jr. (appliancesonline) was fourth after a second and fourth.
The entire week at Lake Garda has not produced the typically difficult conditions and this third day was no different with decreasing southerly winds.
Hungary's Liberty Sailing Team (Miklos Ujhelyi Gaspar) and Germany's Magic Marine (Norbert Peter) had a disappointing day which allowed the British TMF (Jarrod Simpson) and Denmark's GP Covers (Flemming Clausen) to move into fifth and sixth placings respectively.
Another German team, Remember the Days II (Chris Hagenmeyer) was a big improver with a sixth placing in Race 7 and nineth in Race 6.
EUROPEAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
(Day 1 and Day 2 Reports)
DAY 1: After a postponement of 90 minutes all twelve teams started in Race 1. In tricky shifting southerly winds of 8-12 knots, the two Australian teams Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) and SLAM (Grant Rollerson) moved clear of the fleet with SLAM going on to take victory.
Race 2 saw a stunning start with just one boat heading to the seemingly bad lake side of the course, while the rest of the fleet went along the beach side, normally a safe way. At the first mark SLAM had an advantage of nearly 200 metres, followed by the Danish GP Covers (Flemming Clausen), Australia's appliancesonline.com.au (John Winning Jr.), and Germany's Magic Marine (Norbert Peter). Shifts and gusts made the race very difficult with placings changing almost every minute. The most interesting part of the race was Gotta Love It 7's chase of SLAM, with the '7' team grabbing the lead on the final windward leg.
At the end of the day Gotta Love It 7 held the points lead over SLAM, with GP Covers in third place and the Hungarian Libery Sailing Team (Miklos Ujhelyi Gaspar) fourth.
DAY 2: A northerly wind with gusts up to 18 knots greeted the fleet for the three races sceduled on Day 2. Past European champion Howie Hamlin of the US, skippering CST Composites, recovered from a bad Day 1 with consistent performances which included one win and two seconds for an overall third place on the pointscore table at the end of the day. Gotta Love It 7 topped the points for the day with two consecutive wins in Races 4 and 5, after withdrawing from Race 3 with Gennaker problems.
In Race 5 Gotta Love It 7 cleared away from the rest of the fleet when she got a private gust from the first mark while the others layed in calm winds. Gotta Love It 7 went on to win by nearly 500 metres while the rest of the fleet came home closely bunched.
The points after Day 2 had Gotta Love It 7 leading with 5 points lost, followed by SLAM on 10, CST Composites on 11, then appliancesonline, Liberty Sailing Team, Britain's TMF (Jarrod Simpson), GP Covers and Magic Marine, which was leading the leader of the three German teams.
(progress points after 7 races-allowing 1 discard)
The progress pointscore after seven of the twelve races in the European 18ft Skiff Championship currently being sailed at Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy are:
The Fraglia della vela di Malcesine (see image below) and the European 18ft Skiff Association will conduct the European 18ft Skiff Championship, which begins today (29 May) at Malcesine on Lake Garda, Italy with a fleet of 13 teams respresenting seven countries.
Heading the entry list is the current Giltinan champion Gotta Love It 7, which will be skippered by Seve Jarvin, of Australia, who has won two previous Giltinan Championships (one as skipper and one as crew with Euan Mc Nicol in 2005).
Another past Giltinan and European champion, Howie Hamlin (USA) will be one of Jarvin's strongest opponents along with two fellow Australians Grant Rollerson (SLAM) and John Winning Jr. (appliancesonline.com.au).
The entries for the European Championship are:
Flemming Clausen (Denmark)
Howie Hamlin (USA)
Grant Rollerson (Australia, WA)
John Winning Jr. (Australia, NSW)
Seve Jarvin (Australia, NSW)
Friedrich Renner (Germany)
Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar (Hungary)
Norbert Peter (Germany)
Olivier Dumaine (France)
Andreas Pfeningberger (Hungary)
Jarrod Simpson (UK)
Jack Grogan (UK)
Christoph Hagenmeyer (Germany)
Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) during the 2010 Giltinan Championship
.
NEW AUSTRALIAN SAILING MAGAZINE
A new sailing magazine, 'SAILS' launched in April aimed at the Australasian region (Australia, New Zealand/Western Pacific) as well as selected sailing locations in South East Asia.
'SAILS' magazine is an extension of the dedicated ocean racing coverage that has been published for more than 35 years through 'Offshore Yachting' magazine.
The content of 'SAILS' magazine is designed to compliment that predominantly "offshore" focus with a broader palette of sailing interest (cruising and racing, large and small) for a wider geographic readership.
Editor Matthew Henry ran a six-page feature on the 18s (see images below) in the first issue and hopefully we will get some regular coverage in the future.
HUNGARIAN 18s UPDATE
Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar (Mike) and his Liberty Sailing Team of Matyas Majthenyi and Zsombor Szepfy are the top Hungarian 18 Footer team following their 19th placing at the 2009 Mark Foy Trophy international regatta at Carnac, France.
Their performance was both consistent and encouraging as they recorded two 13th placings, one 15th placing and three 16th placings. Their final points were just five behind the highly experienced Maersk team led by New Zealand's Graham Catley.
Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar, Hungary's top 18 Footer skipper
Next best Hungarian team is the Andras Pfeningberger-led Team Raiffeisen combination which placed 23rd at the same Mark Foy regatta. Their best result was 12th in race 8.
Miklos and Matyas have previously contested the 2006 Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour when Mike skippered Barracouta Sails and Australia's Greg Paterson joined the boys. They finished 23rd in a fleet of the world's best teams. Their best race result was 14th in race 4.
Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar and his Liberty Sailing Team in action on Lake Balaton
Mike tells us that Liberty Sailing Team, along with other Hungarian teams, will be contesting the 42nd Blue Ribbon Grand Prix and Festival International Long Distance Regatta at Belatonfured from 2-4 July.
Mike says: "It's a pretty big challenge - 20 hours skiff sailing. We've done this regatta three times already and finished 3rd, 5th and 6th from more than 400 boats overall".
Then from 9-11 July Liberty Sailing Team will contest the Rip Curl Skiff & Surf Festival at Balatonfoldvar.
Who knows, one day we may see Mike and his team back in Australia for another challenge at the Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour.
'WOODY' WINS ANZAC REGATTA
John 'Woody' Winning added yet another 18ft Skiff title to his already distinguished record over many years when he skippered 'Yandoo' to victory in the ANZAC Regatta, sailed on the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland in late April.
Along with regular crewman Andrew Hay and stand-in Dave Ewings (replacing Dave Gibson for the regatta), Woody used his tactical experience along with the excellent crew work in the testing conditions which prevailed during the event.
"The racing was held over four days with two races each day in #1 rig conditions", Woody said.
"We sailed very well throughout, but had to come from behind after New Zealand's 'Maersk' (Graham Catley) and Australian 'Panasonic' (Jonathan Whitty) won the first day's races".
"Our experience certainly was a deciding factor in the victory but the New Zealand competition is getting stronger each year, and will continue to improve with five or six really competitive teams in their fleet", he added.
Many of New Zealand's past victories in the Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship came about through innovations and their more recent achievements at all levels of yachting and small boat sailing prove that the nation is capable of returning to the top of the flying 18s in the future.
John Winning is also President of the Australian 18 Footers League. He is enthusiastic about the ANZAC Regatta and confirms the League's continued support. "I'm confident we can send four skiffs each year in the future to support the New Zealand association and the continued growth of the event".
As well as the League's move to promote the 18s in New Zealand, it is determined to encourage more interstate competition within Australia.
"Queensland already has a few 18s and a small group of enthusiasts, now we are keen to see the resurgence of a fleet in Perth (Western Australia)", John said.
"Grant Rollerson represents WA successfully with his 'SLAM' skiff (he won a heat of the 2010 Australian Championship), now we would like to see another 4 or 5 boats racing regularly in Perth".
Woody's next 18 Footer challenge will come at the San Francisco International (August 23-27) when he will represent Australia as skipper of 'Yandoo'. As well as aiming to win the regatta, he will be out to defend his win in last year's Bridge-to-Bridge Race (from the Golden Gate to Bay Bridge).
In the meantime, John is having a new 'Yandoo' built by Van Munster Boats for the 2010-2011 Australian Season.
For those who don't know John's record, he is the 2000 Giltinan and Australian champion, but his record in the 18s would have been much greater but for a series of runner-up results behind the mighty Iain Murray-Color 7 combination in the late 1970s-early 1980s.
John was runner-up to Iain Murray in two Giltinan and three Australian Championships.
His ongoing enthusiasm for the racing and promotion of all things 18 Footers at every level is best summed up by class historian John 'Steamer' Stanley who described him as "the modern-day Mark Foy".
GILTINAN 2011 DATES ANNOUNCED
The Australian 18 Footers League has announced the dates for the 2011 Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship to be sailed on Sydney Harbour. These dates are:
Race 1 5 March 2011
Race 2 6 March 2011
Race 3 8 March 2011
Race 4 9 March 2011
Race 5 10 March 2011
Race 6 12 March 2011
Race 7 13 March 2011
An invitation race will be sailed on 4 March as a prelude to the regatta.
For a full list of races to be conducted by the Australian 18 Footers League during the 2010-2011 Australian summer, go to:
Chris Skinner and his crew on Bassett Plumbing & Drainage are looking like they may miss the opportunity to defend their ANZAC Regatta title due to being given a hefty shipping bill this week, which will likely need to be paid for the boat to be released.
Chris Skinner and his team in action at the Giltinan 2010 on Sydney Harbour
(Pic: Frank Quealey)
This situation has come to a head from a series of events. In order to better prepare themselves for the JJ Giltinan Championship in February, Bassett Plumbing & Drainage chose to ship their boat on a separate container to the other NZ teams, which would allow them to compete in some of the Australian club races prior to the regatta.
They received assistance from Hamburg Sud and Bassett Plumbing to allow this to happen, but due to an unfortunate situation with a biosecurity concern, the ship with the other NZ boats was turned away, leaving those teams to borrow boats to compete in Australia. This meant Skinner's team had no ride home as they were scheduled to share the homeward journey shipping with the rest of the NZ contingent.
The Australian 18 Footers League stored the boat and would have arranged for it to be shipped with their own boats for the ANZAC Regatta, however, with increasing interest from the Aussies they managed to fill a container and the kiwi team had their boat put in its own container.
The first bill they received for the shipped container, was for $570AUD. "We thought this was the discounted rate we were being invoiced for, and then we would have the trucking costs etc. on top", Bassett crewman Dave Healy explains. However on Monday (19 April) the team were sent a bill for close to $4,000NZ, which still has to have Australian trucking costs added.
"There's been a few unfortunate situations happen here with the original boat getting turned away from Australia and leaving us without a ride. The Aussies wanted to help, but of course getting as many of their boats over to NZ was their top priority, so it was out of their hands", said Chris Skinner. We feel like we've been lumped with the bill for a shipping error that we had nothing to do with. When we got two very different invoices from the shippers it came as a bit of a shock, so all in all it's become a pretty unfortunate situation".
Skinner and his team won the 2009 ANZAC Regatta and NZ Nationals, and have been the top NZ crew at the Giltinan Championship for the past two seasons. With an extensive development program over the past two seasons, the crew have invested a lot of their own money into their campaign.
Skinner explains their predicament "we feel our efforts have shown through with our results, short of really nailing a top effort at the JJ. It's just that running a campaign at that level, and funding it ourselves, means we are always running a tight budget. We expected to be splitting the home shipping cost between the other NZ crews, but unfortunately we are carrying it all on our own, which is beyond our resources", he added.
With the ANZAC Regatta due to start on Thursday (22 April), Skinner and his crew are desperately looking at options which will allow them to defend their title.
ELIZABETH WALSH
QUEEN OF SYDNEY HARBOUR 2010
The Australian 18 Footers Queen of the Harbour for 2010 is Elizabeth Walsh, who teamed with Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton in Gotta Love It 7 to win the coveted title on Sydney Harbour on 21 March.
Elizabeth, or 'Bob' as she is better known throughout the Sydney 18 Footer fraternity, is the girlfriend of Gotta Love It 7's for'ard hand Sam Newton, is a regular follower of the weekly skiff racing and has a very good knowledge of the sport.
Elizabeth is interviewed after winning Queen of the Harbour race
More than that, however, 'Bob' is a fine sailor in her own right and (as can be seen in the following images of her on the Gotta Love It 7 skiff in the Queen of the Harbour race) is at home on the wings of a flying 18.
Elizabeth's love of the 18s began while she was still at school. "My Year 12 (Higher School Certificate) Art major work was on 18 Footers - '18 feet of adrenaline', a lino cut five piece series about 18 Footers".
"I went down to the park and asked one of the sailors if I could go for a sail on an 18. He said yes and I have always been an enthusiast during the six years since that day".
Elizabeth sailing to victory in Queen of the Harbour
Asked about her experience in the Queen of the Harbour race, Elizabeth said: "Sailing the Queen of the Harbour was SO enjoyable. Sam and I look at the forecast and decided that we could manage racing '3-up' and with the light crew weight we'd have an advantage over most of the other teams with a crew of four".
"I enjoy trapezing and loved being able to really help out on the skiff. It was a fun race to sail. We led for more than half the race so as well as being fun it was also stressful because we didn't want to put it down the mine".
"I thing the Queen of the Harbour is a great race to get the partners and sponsors of the teams on the water. The best thing the race does is encourage the boys to communicate. They are forced to talk to you as the 'newbie' onboard as well as to each other. It was worth listening to that communication".
Elizabeth began her sailing career in New Zealand. "I started sailing at the Ponsonby Yacht Club in Aucj=kland, then grew up on Sydney Harbour sailing Lasers and Elliott 5.9s and 6s, competing five years of match racing with Katie Spithill and her team in Australia and overseas".
Elizabeth on the deck of 'Living Doll' (Pic by Christophe Launay)
"In 2001 I commenced my involvement in the Farr 40 one design class. My best results in the class have been a first in the nationals, a first in the 2005 pre worlds and 2nd in the Rolex world championships with team Shockwave".
She currently sails on the Melbourne based Farr 55, Living Doll, in which she recently contested her third Sydney Hobart Race. "I'm onboard to learn the art of navigation and, with the support of the boat's owner Michael Hiatt, I'm really loving the steep learning curve and the great experience".
Elizabeth has also completed three Tasman crossings: Hobart to Auckland, Melbourne to Takapuna and Auckland to Sydney.
Earlier in the 2009-2010 Season, she did a commentary stint for the Australian 18 Footers League on their video coverage of club races. "I really enjoyed the experience and would love to do more in the future".
Elizabeth prepares for her commentary duties at the 'League'
Elizabeth's hobbies are all water based: "I enjoy trying to wakeskate and knee board and love sailing with friends". Now she has started a new business venture in the marine industry. "It's called Latitude Crew Gear, which provides a variety of brands at highly competitive prices. It's only two months old and I look forward to growing it into a fun viable business".
It seems Elizabeth Walsh (or if you prefer 'Bob') is an ideal 'Queen of Sydney Harbour'
Elizabeth at home on the wing of the flying18 'Gotta Love It 7'
CHRISTOPHE FAVREAU'S PASSION FOR 18s
Christophe Favreau is a French professional photographer "with a particular affinity for bautical images and sailing", which has led him to travel the world capturing the beauty and excitement of marine photography.
Christophe Favreau (pic by Allan Barron)
His passion is for Australian 18ft Skiffs and he has been a regular visitor to Sydney for the Giltinan Championship since 2007. Over the past 12 months he has also covered the international 18ft Skiff events in France and USA as well as the Giltinan 2010.
Aside from his love of marine photography and the flying18s, Christophe also covers other sports and events, as well as specializing in portraits, weddings, concerts and children photography.
The spectator ferry has been an integral part of 18ft Skiff Racing since it was first introduced by Mark Foy at the 1892 Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour. Foy promoted a regatta to the general population of Sydney (most of whom had never seen a sailing race) and also introduced coloured logos on the sails and a new handicap system to make the racing more spectator friendly than other sailing events.
During the 118 year period since that day in January 1892, spectator ferries have followed the Flying 18s Racing on Sydney Harbour. At times during the late 1930s there were as many as seven spectator ferries following each Sunday's racing.
Hugh Jones (left) and Bill Young (right) congrtulate Rag & Famish Hotel skipper John Harris
on winning the inaugural Ferry Patrons Trophy
Crowds during the 2009-2010 Australian 18 Footers League Season have increased the numbers, but most importantly the increase in the number of young people following the racing each week is pleasing the Club's administrators for the ongoing success of the sport.
(a sample of the crowds can be seen on this website: go to 'Photo Galleries' - 'Supporters' and 'Giltinan 2010' - 'Supporters Images')
The Australian 18 Footers League has honoured the loyalty of it spectators by introducing the Ferry Patrons Trophy, which will be an important event on its annual racing program.
The inaugural race for the new trophy was sailed on 7 March and was won by the John Harris-led Rag & Famish Hotel team. On hand to present John with the trophy were two long-time spectator ferry followers Bill Young and Hugh Jones.
May the tradition continue forever.
PLAYING POSSUM IN THE 18s
There is rarely a dull moment in the 18 Footers and supporters are never surprised at what might happen, but last Sunday (7 March) saw a 'first' - something even the most ardent follower would have never expected to see in an 18ft Skiff race.
It was the Australian 18 Footers League's Ferry Patrons Trophy race and involved the Gill Racing Team, led by Dave Alexander.
After a slow start to the race and three capsizes in the 25-knot North East wind on the first lap of the course, Gill was further back in the pack than the team are normally accustomed.
Gill 18ft Skiff with Dave Alexander at the helm
The skiff was near Taylor Bay on the second windward beat when Dave Alexander noticed his two crew members looking into the boat. Thinking there was just a loose spinnaker, or something similar, he ignored their 'distraction' and kept sailing.
He noticed their 'distraction' continued but thought nothing more about it until crewman Ed called out "look at your leg".
Dave says: "I almost ---- myself when I saw this thing (a possum) the size of a cat crawling up my leg. I shook it off into the bottom of the boat and it went out the back".
"We all started laughing and capsized again. The last time we saw the possum it was swimming towards the shore but I don't know whether it made it safely".
Dave said this was actually the third time this season they had discovered a possum in the boat - although it was the first one to make it onto the water.
"One crawled out of the bow tube between the bow and the cockpit, then we discovered one dead in the bow tube. This one also came out of the same hiding place so we figure it must be a top spot for possums".
Strangely, the boat is housed at a concrete car park in an industrial area. Hardly the type of location associated with possums.
We didn,t get a shot of Dave's face at the precise moment he saw the possum on his leg so we have taken the liberty of creating our own image of Dave - using the old adade "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"
Dave Alexander
"if you can't beat 'em - join 'em"
"sealaunay.com"
Christophe Launay www.sealaunay.com has long been a favourite photographer of the 18 Footers as he captures some wonderful and creative images of the Flying 18s. He is a master of composition, colour, lighting and his photographic images are always interesting and well worth a look.
A small sample of his latest 18 Footer shoot (Gotta Love It 7) is shown below and in the 'Hot Shots' Photo Galleries section, but if you want to view the full shoot as well as his entire gallery then you must go www.sealaunay.com.
Defending champions Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout retained their crown when they won the SP HighModulus Australian 18ft Skiff Championship in Gotta Love It 7 on countback from the NSW champions Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas in Thurlow Fisher Lawyers.
Gotta Love It 7 crew, left-to-right: Tom Clout, Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton
Both crews finished level with a total of 9 points, but the Gotta Love It 7 team had two wins in the five-race championship compared to Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' one win.
The two crew, along with the Smeg team of Nick Press, Dan Phillips and Jim Beck, went into the last race with only two points separating the three boats. Gotta Love It 7, however, held the strong hand as she only had to finish second behind any winning boat in the race to take the title.
Coxon's Thurlow Fisher Lawyers won the start and led Gotta Love It 7 at the windward mark in the 12-15knot NE breeze. Smeg failed to produce the upwind speed of previous races and was in a group of boats about one minute from the lead.
Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (left) runner up on countback, and third placed Smeg
Although the breeze lightened over the latter stages of the course, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers maintained her lead throughout before going on to a 54s win from Gotta Love It 7. Smeg could not improve and fell back to finish only eighth - more than six minutes behind the winner.
While the three top pointscoring teams were superb, some of the minor placegetters showed enough form to be strongly considered for the upcoming Giltinan Championship.
John Harris, the 2001 Giltinan champion, and his Rag & Famish Hotel team suffered a major setback with two broken masts in consecutive races before Christmas yet still managed to finish fourth in the nationals. Another top performer in the nationals was the Western Australian skiff, SLAM, skippered by Grant Rollerson, which won Race 3 and finished fifth overall.
Fourth placed Rag & Famish Hotel (left), and fifth placed SLAM on the right
GILTINAN 2010 - THE CHAMPIONSHIP
18ft Skiff Racing's greatest challenge begins on Sydney Harbour on 12th February when 31 of the world's best crews line up to contest the 61st J.J. Giltinan Trophy Championship.
With six past champions and a host of world and international championship-winning challengers all vying for the title in similar boats, the racing on Sydney Harbour will be a 'WAR ON WATER' during the seven-race regatta.
Leadimg contenders at the Australian Championship: Michael Coxon, Seve Jarvin, Nick Press
Previous champions in the fleet are: Michael Coxon, Australia (2006, 2007), Rob Greenhalgh, UK (2004), Howie Hamlin, USA (2002, 2003), John Harris, Australia (2001), Seve Jarvin, Australia (2008) and John Winning, Australia (2000).
The recently crowned NSW and former Giltinan champion Michael Coxon is likely to be the early favourite to win back the crown he previously held in 2006 and 2007. He is joined by last year's winning Giltinan champion crewmen Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas in the Thurlow Fisher Lawyers-sponsored skiff he campaigned in 2008.
Despite their likely favourite status, Coxon and his crew will be under enormous pressure from the star-studded fleet of champions. Each of the other five past Giltinan winners will be serious challengers for the title.
Fleet racing at the 2009 Giltinan Championship Regatta
The quality of the fleet is highlighted by the records of eight skippers who have each won world championships in other sailing classes. Rob Greenhalgh (International 14), Howie Hamlin (5o5), John Harris (International Moths), Mark Kennedy (29ers), Archie Massey (International 14), Evan Walker (Open Multihull/Youth), Jason Waterhouse (Hobie 16/Youth) and John Winning Jr. (29ers).
There are six previous (and current) Interdominion 12ft Skiff champions: Phil Airey, Andrew Cuddihy, Nick Press (current), Chris Skinner, Alex Vallings and John Winning.
Adding to the high level of talent is Sweden's Anders Lewander (skipper of Ericsson 3 in the Volvo Round-the-World race), who returns to the flying 18s after previous campaigns in the 1990s.
Spectator ferries will follow all races, leaving Double Bay Public Wharf (alongside the Australian 18 Footers League clubhouse) 30 minutes before the start of each race.
Howie Hamlin's Harken was a two time winner in the US in 2009
RABBITOHS - SHARKS - GILTINAN
When the names Rabbitohs, Sharks and J.J. Giltinan are mentioned at the same time, most of Australia's sports-minded population think of the NRL (National Rugby League) football code.
During the 2009-2010 Sydney summer this has changed on Sydney Harbour as 18ft Skiffs carrying the colours and logos of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks line up to contest the J.J. Giltinan Championship next month.
In Rugby League, the Giltinan Shield is awarded for supremacy to the club whose team has won most games throughout the premiership rounds of the NRL competition. In 18ft Skiff Racing, the Giltinan Trophy has been commonly regarded as the 'world' championship since it was first conducted on Sydney Harbour in 1938.
While the association between Rugby League football and 18ft Skiff Racing may seem a strange association, there is nothing further from the truth.
Mr. James J. Giltinan was responsible for the introduction of Rugby League into Australia and was the first Secretary of the Australian 18 Footers League, which is the world's premier 18 Footer organisation. He was also the driving force behind the push to create a 'world' championship for the previously Australia-only 18 Footers.
The two skiffs carry the names and logos of the Rugby League clubs' sponsors. The South Sydney coloured skiff races under the De'Longhi name and logo while the Cronulla skiff has the Coldwell Banker logo on its sails.
From 12-21 February, more than 30 teams from USA, UK, New Zealand and Sweden, as well as a strong local contingent from NSW, Western Australia and Queensland will contest the 61st Giltinan Trophy Championship on Sydney Harbour to determine the world's best skiff sailors of 2010.
HIGHEST HONOURS TO 18 FOOTER SKIPPERS
Two skippers have shown the strength and quality of the Australian 18 Footers League fleet by recently winning the highest honours available in two other sailing classes.
Two weeks ago, Archie Massey (Asko Appliances), along with his regular 18 Footer crewman Dan Wilsdon, became the first skipper to win back-to-back world International 14 Footer Championships.
Archie Massey on way to winning I14 World Championship
This week it was Nick Press (Smeg), with former 18 Footer sailor Brad Yabsley, who took the honours in the Interdominion 12ft Skiff Championship.
Both skippers will be in action next month when they try to win the highest honours available in the 18s - the JJ Giltinan Championship, on Sydney Harbour 12-21 February.
Nick Press winning the Interdominion 12ft Skiff Championship
Defending Australian 18 Footer champions Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout have shown their rivals that they are determined to retain the title with wins in each of the first two races of the SP-HighModulus sponsored 2010 regatta in their Gotta Love It 7 skiff.
Their crew work has been top class (as usual) and their increased boat speed has been the deciding factor.
Prior to the Christmas-New Year break, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas) was the benchmark as the skiff easily won the NSW Championship but things have changed over the past two weeks.
With the Giltinan Championship now less than one month away (February 12-21) all crews will be out to peak for what looks like being a magnificent regatta.
Following Gotta Love It 7's win in Race 2, the progress point score in the SP-HighModulus Australian Championship is: Gotta Love It 7 (2 points), Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (6), Smeg (8), Rag & Famish Hotel (11), appliancesonline (12) and Yandoo (12).
Race 3 will be sailed on Sunday 24 January, Race 4 on Tuesday 26 January and Race 5 (the last race) on Sunday 31 January.
TRAFFIC ON SYDNEY HARBOUR
Traffic on Sydney Harbour is always a concern for the 18 Footer crews as ferries, pleasure craft of all descriptions and an occasional container ship go about their business - and sometimes it's even those following the racing.
During Race 2 of the SP-HighModulus Australian Championship on Sunday, it was no exception as the skiffs raced at high speed across the harbour on a tight spinnaker run from Rose Bay to Robertson Point.
Courtesy and common sense shown by the captain of a Manly Ferry on its regular run from Circular Quay was appreciated by the Australian 18 Footers League competitors when the ferry passed through the flying skiffs with minimal disruption. (see the photo above).
Gotta Love It 7 went on to win the race but on one windward leg into Rose Bay had to also be wary of a small sea plane which was about to land only 200 metres away. (see the photo below).
POSTCARD FROM 'TEAM SWEDEN'
While Australia's top 18ft Skiff teams compete in the SP-HighModulus Australian Championships on Sydney Harbour in preparation for next month's Giltinan Championship, Team Sweden members Anders Lewander, Sten Edstrom and Peter Mickos are having a totally different experience in the northern hemisphere winter.
Sten Edstrom writes to tell us that he is skiing in Sweden where the temperature is "a little cold 35 degrees below zero at the moment". The photos he sent (see above) were from the top of the mountain "where it was just 18 degrees below zero".
The team are expected to arrive in Sydney towards the end of January to prepare for the Giltinan Championship, which begins on 12 February.
JACKSON ELECTRICAL WINS NZ CHAMPIONSHIP
Jackson Electrical, sailed by Chris Skinner, Luke Gower and Dave Healy, is the 2009 New Zealand National champion following a consistent series in difficult conditions where the team won half the races and didn't finish outside the top three in any race.
Jackson Electrical on the way to winning the 2009 NZ Championship (Pic: Greg Fenwick)
Day 1 greeted the fleet with a light breeze which was forecast to build. This saw the fleet split in their choice for the #1 or #2 rig. The
forecast
came true andby midway through the second race the breeze had picked up to 30-35 knots. With the teams carrying #1 rigs all retiring in the first race and a number of gear failures throughout the fleet, only two teams finished each of the first two races. Jackson Electrical comfortably picked up the two wins with Maersk (Grahame Catley) coming in second for each race.
After the lunch break, the teams all had the smaller gear for the long harbour course in 18-22 knots. Defending champions JF Hillebrand sailed consistently to win Race 3 ahead of Jackson Electrical and Auckland champion Yamaha, skippered by Scott Kennedy.
Auckland champion Yamaha in action during the NZ Nationals (Pic: Greg Fenwick)
The teams arrived on Day 2 to a light westerly breeze and naturally all rigged with the #1 rigs. With the wind increasing most teams elected to change to the #2 rig, leaving only Jackson Electrical and JF Hillebrand racing with the big rig. Three races were scheduled back-to-back so all crews were committed to their rig selection. The decision to change to the smaller rig paid dividends in Race 4, which was sailed in 20-22 knots with Yamaha narrowly edging out CT Sailbattens (Alex Vallings) after the two teams traded positions multiple times. Jackson Electrical managed to recover from capsizing at the start to finish third.
In Race 5, the wind started to become a little more patchy with some lulls of 15 knots appearing in the course. Jackson Electrical utilised their bigger rig to take the victory after a long battle with CT Sailbattens and the fast finishing Yamaha.
Defending champion JF Hillebrandunplaced in NZ Nationals (Pic: Greg Fenwick)
With the series already sown up, Jackson Electrical looked to be in fine form on the first lap of the final race. At this point they were the only team with the #1 rig as JF Hillebrand had elected to miss Race 5 in order to make a rig change. The second lap had the added variable of a container ship going through the middle of the course. Jackson Electrical was the only team to cross the bow of the ship, however JF Hillebrand's move to tack early and sail up the left side of the harbour saw them lead at the next mark. JF Hillebrand then sailed a strong final beat to windward to take the win and Yamaha made some great tactical decisions to pass Jackson Electrical just before the finish. This proved to be critical as Yamaha took second overall, on countback, ahead of Maersk.
ROB GREENHALGH IN SYDNEY FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
An interested spectator aboard the Australian 18 Footers league spectator ferry last Sunday was the 2004 Giltinan champion Rob Greenhalgh, from UK, who is in Sydney to contest the International 14 World Championship later this month then the 2010 Giltinan 18 Footer Championship in February.
Once the International 14 championship is completed, Rob will have his 18ft Skiff 'Benny' delivered ASAP to prepare for the Giltinan Championship. He will be joined by Dan Johnson and Phil Harmer who crewed with him when he won the Mark Foy Trophy regatta in France earlier this year.
THURLOW FISHER-CITY TAKES OUT NSW CHAMPIONSHIP
Two time Giltinan champion Michael Coxon (2006-Casio Seapathfinder and 2007-Fiat), who took a year off from the 18s in 2008-2009 to travel the world, has returned to the class this season and teamed up with two of last season's Giltinan champion crewmen Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas in the skiff he previously raced as Fiat.
NSW champions, from left: Trent Barnabas, Aaron Links, Michael Coxon
Such a quality team soon attracted sponsorship support from Thurlow Fisher-City for their 2009-2010 campaign, but the immediate and dominant success they
had in taking out the recent NSW Championship was totally unexpected.
Thurlow Fisher-City finished the five-race championship with a perfevt score of four points (after discarding their only defeat in Race 5) in a range of wind conditions.
Michael has put a lot of the success down to Aaron and Trent. "The boys were a successful combination with Euan Mc Nicol last season and wanted to continue enjoying their sailing together".
"As a team we basically just wanted to enjoy our sailing. We've done no training and so far haven't used any new gear".
Thurlow Fisher-City in action
"We will have two new spinnakers and a new #1 jib for the Giltinan and Australian Championships".
"The competition in the Giltinan Championship will be great. As well as the locals, Rob Greenhalgh is back and is always hard to beat, Howie Hamlin will be here in a brand new boat and the Kiwis will have a strong team".
The Thurlow Fisher-City team didn't take its foot off the pedal after their NSW Championship win and followed it up with a club trophy handicap race win, which has seen them, amazingly, push eleven of the League's other 22 boats out to a maximum handicap of 10 minutes, plus another four to nine minutes. Even the likes of Seve Jarvin and John Winning are out to six minutes and John Harris to five minutes.
BEST 'h2oshots' OF 2009
We've all seen and enjoyed Erik Simonson's (www.h2oshots.com) fantastic aerial photos from the 18ft Skiff International Regattas, conducted by the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.
Samples of the h2oshots work: Gotta Love It 7 in 2008 and Panasonic in 2009
Now, Erik advises that the 'Best of 2009 San Francisco Regattas Imagery' is posted on his gallery. The link is:
The Asko Appliances team of Archie Massey, Dan Wilsdon and Cameron Mc Donald is one of the strongest presently contesting the NSW 18 Footer Championship on Sydney Harbour and the team is placed fourth going into Sundays last race of the series.
They were also an unluckly secong behind series leader Thurlow Fisher-City in Race 3 after being caught in the middle of a sudden wind shift.
Last Sunday, Asko Appliances went into Race 4 as one of the more fancied teams but some days (even for the best) it just doesn't pay to go 18 Footer Racing.
(from left to right): The Asko crew before the start, at the first windward mark, at the finish
To be fair, the crew showed their real form throughout the rest of the race and were displaying the true spirit of 18 Footer Racing as they gave it everything under spinnaker trying to clear the chequered buoy at the finish.
Asko Appliances shows her real form on Sydney Harbour
DE'LONGHI REVIVES RUGBY LEAGUE'S LINK WITH 18 FOOTERS
Anybody looking at the 18 footer De'Longhi may wonder about the unique red and green stripes and white rabbit on the working sails and spinnaker of the skiff as she races across Sydney Harbour each weekend during the Australian summer.
The Answer: The skiff's sponsor, De'Longhi is also a major sponsor of Australia's most famous and successful Rugby League football club called South Sydney. Souths' colours are red and green and their emblem is a white rabbit, so the colouring on the De'Longhi Rabbitoh's sponsored skiff is a natural link between their two key sports sponsorships.
(Left: Souths Sydney Rugby League Half Back Chris Sandow and Right: De'Longhi 18ft Skiff in action on Sydney Harbour)
The association between Rugby League football and the Australian 18 Footers League is steeped in history as the founder of the Rugby League football code in Australia was Mr. James J. Giltinan, whose name symbolizes the ultimate challenge in 18 footer Racing - the J.J. Giltinan Trophy Championship.
Mr. Giltinan was very instrumental in the early years of the Australian 18 Footers League, which is the world's premier 18 footer organisation.
As first Secretary of the newly formed sailing league in the 1930s, he was the driving force behind the push to create a "world" championship for the previously Australia-only 18 footers.
The De'Longhi crew strain to gain maximum speed from their skiff
De'Longhi's skipper Simon Nearn has had an interesting career in the 18s.
He began sailing 18 footers in the UK in 1995 and made several trips to Australia as part of various UK challenges for the Giltinan Championship.
In 1996 Simon made his first trip to sail the Giltinan Championship with then sponsor Musto and went on to win the European Championships in 1997. He continued racing both 18 and 14 footers in Europe until returning to live in Sydney in 2005.
He first crewed on the De'Longhi 18 footer for skipper Grant Rollerson from the 2005-2006 Season before stepping up to skipper in 2007. Since then, he has been a regular skipper in the Australian 18 Footers League fleet.
Simon is also now a Director of the Australian 18 Footers League.
For Simon and De'Longhi, the 2009-2010 Season represents their greatest chance of winning the coveted Giltinan Championship next February as two of the sport's most experienced competitors, Craig Ferris and Chris Cleary, have joined Simon on the De'Longhi skiff.
De'Longhi crew and company executives from left to right:
(Simon Nearn, Chris Cleary, Geoff Bauchop, Tom Mitchell Gregg Laurance)
Craig and Chris have teamed together on the 18s since the mid 1990s and have won two Giltinan as well as Australian and NSW Championships over the intervening period. Their Giltinan wins were with Stephen Quigley on AEI-Pace Express in 1996 and with John Harris on Rag & Famish Hotel in 2001.
The new crew has suffered a temporary setback with both Simon and Craig being forced to miss a number of early season races.
Simon returned to the UK for three weeks after the sudden death of his father, while Craig suffered a mysterious illness which kept him off the water for two weeks.
Simon is enthusiastic about the new crew: "18 sailing is a team sport like no other. Boat speed, crew agility, an unstable platform and a course that changes constantly, means you need to work together. Every year the standard at Double Bay goes up and to have two guys alongside me who have not only won championships but done so together is going to be invaluable this year".
The De'Longhi company has been a wonderful sponsor of 18 footer Racing for the past five seasons at the Australian 18 Footers League.
They first sponsored Grant Rollerson in the 2005-2006 Season, then Simon Nearn for the following four seasons. Their support has not only been financial. Company executives have added a personal touch and are regular followers of the De'Longhi Racing Team aboard the club's spectator ferry and corporate boat - the JBW.
Tom Mitchell, General Manager, Sales & Marketing, took his connection one step further when his daughter Madeline B joined the crew to win the annual Queen of the Harbour race last March.
Madeline B and the De'Longhi crew show their excitement at winning the 2009 Queen of the Harbour
Tom Mitchell has positive views on the sponsorship and the future:
"2010 is an exciting time for the 18ft skiffs and the NRL Rugby League via the J.J. Giltinan link to further develop the respective sporting exposure in the very competitive Sydney market for and on behalf of their sponsors".
"What better place to do it than on Sydney Harbour".
"It was Simon Nearn who first mentioned the historical Rugby League and 18 footer link to me. Now, there are two NRL teams (Rabbitohs and Sharks) represented in the summer sport of the Sydney 18 footers, with hopefully more to follow as the legacy of J.J. Giltinan is embraced".
"De'Longhi could not be happier with the exposure and relationship building the 18 foot skiffs and the South Sydney Rabbitohs delivers".
Mr. Mitchell added: "Some of the key moments so far have been when Simon and my daughter won Queen of the Harbour, when De'Longhi entertained several of the South Sydney managers, players and partners on the JBW and when Russell Crowe dropped down to the skiff club house unannounced to personally introduce himself to Simon and the crew".
On behalf of De'Longhi, he concluded: "We all wish Simon and the De'Longhi skiff crew all the best for the season ahead"
N.S.W. CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Ironically, at a time when there are five new boat sponsors and six first time skippers in the Australian 18 Footers League 2009-2010 sleet, one of the best (if not the best) goes into Sunday's first race of the NSW Championship without a naming rights sponsor.
Michael Coxon (skipper), Aaron Links (sheet hand) and Trent Barnabas (for'ard hand) have collectively won a total of nine Giltinan Championships and their skiff is the one which currently holds the Giltinan title, won on Sydney Harbour last February.
Casio Seapathfinder on the way to victory in the 2006 Giltinan Championship
Michael and Aaron teamed together to win consecutive Giltinan titles in 2006 (Casio Seapathfinder) and 2007 (Fiat).
Aaron and Trent crewed together with Euan Mc Nicol to be the current Giltinan champions, while Trent also won three Giltinans with his father Trevor in Omega Smeg-2UE skiffs.
Michael Coxon being interviewed for TV after one of his Giltinan victories
With such obvious sailing talent and the fact that the trio also present an excellent image corporate support in the near future is assured.
Going into Sunday's NSW Championship, defending champions John Harris, Scott Babbage and Peter Harris will likely start as favourites in Rag & Famish Hotel following their faultless performance in winning last Sunday's Club Championship race in testing 20-knots-plus North east winds.
Rag & Famish Hotel in action last Sunday
Other leading contenders, aside from Harris and Coxon, are expected to include Seve Jarvin (Gotta Love It 7), John Winning (Yandoo), John Winning Jr. (appliancesonline), Nick Press (Smeg) and Andy Budgen (Project Racing.
Several other 'new' teams will improve as the season progresses towards the 2010 Giltinan Championship in February, but they may need more 'racing miles' under them before they can seriously challenge the more established teams at this time.
(5 November 2009)
Australian Champion Gotta Love It 7 will be a strong contender for the NSW title
PROFILE: JOHN HARRIS + RAG & FAMISH HOTEL
Australian 18 Footers League Commodore John Harris has had a long and illustrious racing career in the 18s and, along with the Club's President John Winning, is responsible for an ongoing youth development policy to ensure the future of 18 Footer Racing on Sydney Harbour.
Typical action of the Harris-Rag combination
John was only 17 years old when he began his 18 Footer involvement as sheet hand for Michael Spies on Winfield Racing during the 1993-1994 Season.
With Michael Spies, John finished 6th in the 1994 Giltinan Championship, then with Anthony (Jack) Young finished a close 3rd in 1996.
On the recommendation of Australian Yachting Coach Craig Ferris to the Australian 18 Footers League, John became the skipper of a brand new skiff, Tyrrells Wines, in the 1996-1997 Season.
Water level view of Rag & Famish (pic by Christophe Launay)
Backing his recommendation of John, Craig Ferris was the sheet hand for John on the skiff and continued the association until outside work pressures forced a temporary retirement for Craig.
Along with Chris "Rissole" Cleary, the trio was always in contention in major regattas and claimed their highest honour when they won the Giltinan Championship with their Rag & Famish Hotel-sponsored skiff in 2001.
Receiving the blue ribbon for 2001 Giltinan win
The team sailed together for eleven seasons (almost certainly a record) and accumulated a magnificent record which included six 'top 3' finishes in the Giltinan Championship.
They won Australian, NSW, Club and numerous other 18 Footer championships and were always amongst the top placegetters in major regattas.
In recent years, John has been joined by his brother Peter (for'ard hand) and Scott Babbage on the sheet, and still has the continued backing of the Rag & Famish Hotel.
Present Crew: (from left) John Harris Scott Babbage, Peter Harris
The new combination has continued the previous high standards. They are the current NSW champions and were also one of the five teams still in contention to win the 2009 Giltinan Championship as the 32-boat fleet went into the last race on Sydney Harbour.
John, who is a financial controller with Steve Jarvin Motors in Sydney, is looking forward to continued success in the 2009-2010 Season but has recently received an even greater reward when wife Alex gave birth to their first child - a little girl named Charlotte.
John with wife Alex and daughter Charlotte
"It has been a very exciting winter with the arrival of Charlotte and it has been good to have a break from sailing. It has allowed me to come into the new season ready to go".
"As always, the goal for the year is to win the Giltinan. It is a very special trophy and we would love to get our three names on it".
Aside from his many 18 Footer achievements, John won the 2008 International Moth World Championship against 99 boats in the UK.
(above): John winning the 2008 International Moth World Championship in UK
He has also sailed 470s and 49ers around the world and has competed in all major ocean races on Australia's East Coast.
John also has an online shop www.sailingbits.com where he supplies the best high performance sailing gear to many of the 18 Footer sailors.
Much of his 18 Footer success must be shared with the long-standing sponsorship of North Sydney's The Rag & Famish Hotel (www.ragandfamish.com.au).
The Rag & Famish Hotel first became involved in 18 Footer sponsorship in 1996-1997 Season when the hotel's owner George Calligeros supported Anthony Young's campaign, which also included his son Peter Calligeros, who was a crew member of the skiff.
The sponsorship moved to John Harris in 1999-2000 Season and has remained with him during the subsequent nine seasons.
Unfortunately, the most popular George Calligeros passed away in August 2005.
To their great credit, Peter and Anna Calligeros have upheld George's memory with the continuation of the sponsorship as well as a strong presence at each year's Giltinan Championship.
(left): John, with Peter Calligeros and (right): 2008 Giltinan competitors at the social night
Peter and Anna have not only donated the George Calligeros Trophy for the winner of Race 1 in each Giltinan series, they also host a competitors' night at the Rag & Famish Hotel on the Thursday evening following Race 5 - prior to the final lay day in the regatta.
The Calligeros family has owned the famous North Sydney hotel for more than 30 years and has maintained the original owner's nautical theme throughout 'The Rag'.
The John Harris-Rag & Famish Hotel combination has been a most successful partnership for both parties and a winderful addition to the Australian 18 Footers League fleet.
(October 2009)
Present day skiff in action
NEW ZEALAND'S TOP TEAM FOR 2009-2010
Following on their success in the ANZAC Regatta staged earlier this year, New Zealand's top team is expected to be the combination led by Chris Skinner.
(left to right): Dave Healy, Luke Gower, Chris Skinner
Chris Skinner and Dave Healy have been joined this season by Luke Gower in the skiff which formerly raced as Quantum Sails.
While the team is still to secure a naming sponsor, they have received support from Jackson Electrical and Khik in their efforts for 2009-2010.
Chris Skinner is a 12ft Skiff Interdominion and Nationals champion as well as R-Class National champion (all in the one season) while Dave Healy is the 2005 NZ 470 champion as well as placing 3rd (with Chris Skinner) in the 2008 12ft Skiff Interdominion and runner-up (with Tim Bartlett) in the 2009 R-Class Nationals. The third member (joining the team this season) is Luke Gower, who has won a number of national titles in New Zealand.
Their first challenge is the New Zealand National Championship in December, but their main aim is the Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour next February.
ROUND-THE-WORLD SKIPPER FOR GILTINAN 2010 ?
Swedish sailor Anders Lewander, who skippered 'Ericsson 3' in the 2008-09 Volvo Round-the-World Ocean Race, is hopeful of leading an all Swedish team to contest the 2010 J.J. Giltinan 18 Footer Championship on Sydney Harbour next February.
Anders is currently negotiating the possible purchase of a suitable skiff for the regatta and would be a great addition to the expected 30-plus fleet from the UK, USA, New Zealand and possibly Germany as well as the strong Australian contingent from NSW, Western Australia and Queensland.
For Anders, it would be a return to the 18s and the Giltinan Championship, which he first contested with a Julian Bethwaite designed 'Banana Republic' skiff on the Brisbane River in 1990.
He subsequently competed in Australia with the Grand Prix Sailing series during the 1990s and was looking at putting a two-year 18 Footer campaign together orior to receiving the Ericsson Racing Team offer to skipper in the Volvo race.
Anders has a strong background in dinghy sailing (including 49ers) and has been a member of the Swedish National Sailing Team. He is presently a sailmaker with North Sails Sweden in Stockholm.
His plan is for his team to spend three weeks in Australia. They would practice and compete in all lead up races prior to the Giltinan Championship and would look at employing a local "boat captain to assist with all logistic and local knowledge".
(October 2009)
PROFILE: A 'WINNING' FAMILY
Generations of many families competing in the 18 Footers is a large part of the sport's history/culture, but while the generations follow one after another there have been very few where father and son have competed both with and against each other at the same time.
Trevor and Trent Barnabas teamed together in the 1990s and were successful in winning three Giltinan Championships as well as numerous other titles.
To my knowledge, the only father and son to compete against each other as skippers are current skippers John "Woody" Winning and John "Herman" Winning Jr.
John (Herman) Winning Jr. (left) and his father John (Woody) Winning
Woody's father John 'Choco' Winning was also a very well known 12ft Skiff sailor and yachtsman, and crewed with Bill Stanley to win the 1946-1947 Australian 18 Footer Championship.
'Woody' has been sailing the 18s since 1975 (allowing for a brief period of "retirement" between 1986-1987 to 1995-1996 Seasons) and is also President of the Australian 18 Footers League.
There is absolutely no doubt the strength of the present Sydney fleet is due to John's business connections, personality, energy and expertise. (see Winning Appliances at www.winningappliances.com.au).
Yandoo (left) skippered by John 'Woody' Winning and appliancesonline (right) with John 'Herman' Winning on the tiller.
Along with Commodore John Harris, 'Woody' has also formulated a youth policy to ensure the ongoing success of the League's fleet.
His racing record is impressive as a winner of the Giltinan Championship in 2000 along with Australian and NSW Championships - the most recent of these being the NSW title in 2007.
This record would have been even more impressive had the peak of his career not coincided with that of the great Iain Murray and his Color 7 team. Unfortunately for John, he was runner up to Iain and Color 7 in two Giltinan and three Australian Championships.
Despite now being one of the more senior competitors in the fleet, John's talent is still such that he won the last race of the 2009 Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour in Februart to finish sixth overall in a very competitive 32-boat regatta fleet.
John Winning Jr. sailing the first 'appliancesonline'
'Herman' won the World 29er Championship as an 18-year-old in 2002 with the current Giltinan champion Euan Mc Nicol as his for'ard hand. The regatta was sailed on Sydney Harbour with a fleet of 103 entries from 12 nations.
He began his 18 Footer career in the 2003-2004 Season when he crewed with 'Woody' on Yandoo, then skippered for the first time in 2004-2005 when he took over the Panasonic skiff.
His first major campaign came in 2005-2006 with a new boat sponsored by the family business www.appliancesonline.com.au, of which 'Herman' is Managing Director.
He took a year off in 2007-2008 then returned in 2008-2009 Season with a new skiff and the backing once more of the appliancesonline company.
The experience gained from the initial campaigns saw 'Herman' put together a strong team of David Ewings (for'ard hand) and Tim Austin (sheet hand) to contest the 2009 Giltinan Championship.
(left) John Winning Jr., Tim Austin and David Ewings on appliancesonline and (right) John Winning, Dave Gibson and Ian Hay on Yandoo
After a slow start to the regatta, which saw the team record only moderate placings of sixth, seventh and seventh in the first three races, appliancesonline increased her boat speed dramatically with two wins and a second placing in the next three races.
Appliancesonline went into the last race just three points from the lead in fourth place and with a real winning chance to take out the championship.
Both 'Woody' and 'Herman are back again this season in the same boats and once more there will be no favours asked for and none given when the two combatants get out on the harbour.
YANDOO
Over his many years in the 18s, John has had sponsorship backing from Travelodge hotels, Mitchell Cotts Freight shipping and Flora margarine, but in recent years his self-funded campaigns have been under the red and blue oval and "Yandoo" name
18 Footer Yandoo sporting the red and blue oval
John explains the name and the significance of its use by him and his family:
"Yandoo is the aboriginal word for messenger, and was the name chosen for the 7th Field Artillery Brigade newsletter which was founded and edited by Sil Rohu during World War I".
(Obviously this was an extremely difficult and dangerous task in the circumstances. How Sil and his friends achieved their goal can be read at www,vaucluseyachtclub.co.au/silrohu-article-1.php in a memorial to Sil Rohu)
"The red and blue oval used on the boats is the unit's colour patch".
"Sil's next venture was the formation of the Vaucluse Amateur Sailing Association. He named his 12ft Skiff Yandoo and his positive influence on my father was such that dad carried on the tradition by naming all his 12ft Skiffs and yachts Yandoo".
"When I haven't been sponsored, I have done the same, so has Herman, and my daughter Jamie, who has prefaced all her horses names with Yandoo".
(October 2009)
Yandoo (left) and appliancesonline in action at San Francisco in the 18ft Skiff International Regatta in August this year (both pics by Erik Simonson, www.h2oshots.com)
SMEG WINS SEASON OPENER ON SYDNEY HARBOUR
Smeg on the way to winning season opener on Sydney Harbour
After a two season lay off, Nick Press has returned to the 18s to take over as skipper of Smeg when former skipper Daniel Phillips decided to move onto the sheet for the Australian 18 Footers League 2009-2010 Sydney Harbour Season.
Nick, who previously skippered Pure Blonde and Maytag, showed he has lost none of his touch to steer Smeg to a 1m10s win over Bruce Savage's Thurlow Fisher in the traditional Alf Beashel Trophy opening race.
The 18s continue to prosper in Sydney with six new skippers and five new sponsors boosting the club's 23-strong fleet.
18ft SKIFF INTERNATIONAL REGATTA, SAN FRANCISCO
Howie Hamlin and his Harken-sponsored 18ft Skiff team of Paul Allen and Matt Noble
The United States team of Howie Hamlin, Paul Allen and Matt Noble won the eighth annual 18ft Skiff International Regatta, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club at San Francisco, California, USA.
Hamlin and his crew of the Harken-sponsored skiff were the only ones not to capsize throughout the regatta to finish one point ahead of John (Woody) Winning, David Gibson and Andrew Hay on Yandoo.
With winds blowing a solid 20-25 knots with gusts to 28, as it was on the last day, Hamlin's team remained the only one of thirteen that never flipped - certainly a factor in Hamlin achieving his fifth win in this regatta.
Crewmember Matt Noble commented, "the fact that we went through the whole week without flipping is incredible".
While John (Woody) Winning had to be satisfied with the runner-up position and his son John (Herman) Winning Jr. third overall, the pair had their moment of glory on Day 4 when the Winnings ruled the waves of San Francisco Bay in the traditional Bridge to Bridge Race, which was run in conjunction with the 18ft Skiff regatta.
In the event which included kiteboards, windsurfers and an ocean racing keelboat, (Woody) Winning seized first place overall in the 7.5 mile downwind charge from the Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge when his skiff Yandoo completed the course in 19 minutes 54secs.
(Herman) Winning finished second in appliancesonline - 38secs behind his father
Final overall placings in the International Regatta were:
1st Harken on 16 points; 2nd Yandoo on 17; 3rd appliancesonline 22; 4th 24hr Road Services (Trevor Barnabas) 23; 5th Macquarie Group (Micah Lane) 31; 6th Asko/Gill (Archie Massey) on 43.
A selection of photographs from the regatta can be seen in the "International Photo Gallery"
New Zealand's growth over recent years and strong performances at international level has filled the local fleet with enthusiasm and expectation as they prepare for the coming season.
There are two major championships scheduled for Auckland in 2009-2010. Firstly, the Nationals will be held 11-13 December and the annual ANZAC Regatta (against the Australians) from 22-25 April 2010.
The 2009-2010 New Zealand fleet will be headed by current ANZAC champion Chris Skinner's team. Skinner and Dave Healy, along with a new third hand (still to be named), will sail the same skiff but expect even better results than they achieved at the 2009 Giltinan Championship.
For'ard hand Dave Healy is very enthusiastic: "we spent a lot of last season reframing the boat and putting together two new rigs as well as making a full set of new sails. This meant we were probably a bit underdone on sailing time going into the Giltinan and it wasn't until the ANZAC regatta that our form started to come together".
"We're excited about next season. We know the boat is fast and we can now focus on getting race ready".
As well as Skinner's team, there will be six other 18s in the fleet.
JF Hillebrand )Phil Airey), CT Sailbattens (Alex Vallings), Maersk (Graham Catley), Yamaha (Scott Kennedy), Stunt Academy (Chris Hirst) and an as yet unnamed skiff to be skippered by Alistair Gair.
AUSTRALIAN 18 FOOTERS LEAGUE 2009-2010 SEASON
The Australian 18 Footers league has announced the dates of their major championships for the upcoming 2009-2010 Season, which begins on Sydney Harbour on Sunday 11 October.
First championship series is the New South Wales Championship which will be sailed over five consecutive Sundays from 8 November to 6 December, inclusive.
After a brief layoff over the Christmas-New Year holiday period, racing resumes with the Australian Championship, which is also a critical warm up for the big one. The Australian is a five-race series from 10-31 January. Individual dates for the series are 10, 17, 24, 26 and 31 January.
The world's biggest 18 footer championship is the Giltinan Trophy and for the 2010 regatta the club is expecting a fleet of 30+ teams - representing USA, UK, New Zealand and Europe as well as strong teams from three Australian States. The usual Invitational race will be sailed on Friday 12 February with the championship races dates of 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21 February.
Regular Sunday club racing continues until the season concludes on 28 March.
WORLD YOUTH CHAMPION JOINS 18 FOOTERS
(crew, from left: Michael Mc Cormick, Jason Waterhouse, Jeremy Roberts)
17 year-old Jason Waterhouse, who won the Hobie 16 class Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship at Brazil in July, is now preparing to sail an 18ft Skiff with the Australian 18 Footers League during the 2009-2010 season.
Jason will be joined by Jeremy Roberts (20-years-old) on the sheet and Michael Mc Cormick (19-years-old) in the bow of the skiff, which will have the sponsorship support of Boatmate Shipwrights.
While Jason realizes the task ahead of him and his young crew, he has the knowledge that he is a winner.
Aside from the recent victory in Brazil, Jason won the 2006 Hobie Dragoon Worlds in Spain and the 2007 World Youth Hobie 16 title in Fiji.
He is also an eight times Australian champion in three different classes.
Michael crewed with Jason in the 2007 World title win in Fiji while Jeremy is a former 420 Australian youth champion..
Jason's father Rod, himself a famous Hobie class champion and former 18 footer skipper, will provide the experience to support the young team during their initial season.
Rod may also have to take the tiller for a couple of the early season races as Jason completes his Higher School Certificate exams.
The Australian 18 Footers League is looking forward to another top season with seven new skippers set to join the 24-boat fleet for the 2009-2010 club racing season.
Highlight for the summer will be the Giltinan Championship, which will be sailed on Sydney Harbour from 12-21 February 2010.
Along with the strong local Sydney fleet, there will be entries from UK, USA, New Zealand and Europe as well as teams from Western Australia and Queensland.
Heading the international challenge will be 2004 Giltinan champion Rob Greenhalgh, 2001 and 2002 champion Howie Hamlin from the US, Andy Budgen (UK) and
Chris Skinner from New Zealand.
***** PROFILE : 2009's TOP TEAM *****
Southern Cross crew with sponsor after winning Giltinan Championship
The 2009 Giltinan18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour produced the closest and most exciting finishes in the 72-year history of the championship and resulted in a victory for the highly talented Southern Cross Constructions team of Euan Mc Nicol (skipper), Aaron Links (sheet hand) and Trent Barnabas (for'ard hand)
All three were previous Giltinan winners when they teamed together for the first time in 2008-2009 season, but putting champions together doesn't guarantee a champion team.
Euan, Aaron and Trent took nothing for granted and reaped the big reward - but it was far from easy against a highly competitive fleet of 32 boats.
Here I recall how Southern Cross Constructions won the critical last race and look at the three members of the team, while Euan Mc Nicol lets us know his thoughts during that championship-winning race and describes the team's campaign and the equipment used.
Southern Cross Constructions in action on Sydney Harbour
It was this combined talent and experience under pressure that the trio had to rely upon to secure their victory which looked hopeless for most of the last (and deciding) race of the championship.
Going into that race five teams had a winning chance as only five points separated the entire group and only a race win could assure overall victory.
Allowing for each boat dropping her worst performance to date, Southern Cross Constructions (on 14 points) held a one point lead over Gotta Love It 7, with Active Air-2UE on 16, appliancesonline.com.au 17 and Rag & Famish Hotel 19.
John Winning Jr. grabbed the early lead with appliancesonline but it was the Gotta Love It 7 team (skippered by defending champion Seve Jarvin) which led the fleet for the next two laps of the course.
Just when it looked as though Jarvin was likely to successfully defend his crown, everything turned 180-degrees and the championship was again thrown wide open.
As bows were turned towards the finish and spinnakers set for the final run, any one of Active Air-2UE, Southern Cross Constructions and Gotta Love It 7 were still capable of taking the title.
With John Winning's Yandoo a clear leader and set to win the race, it was critical that Active Air-2UE finish no worse than second or their chance was gone.
The young Panasonic team, led by Jonathan Whitty, was sailing brilliantly and relegated Active Air-2UE back to third place, giving Southern Cross Constructions (which finished fourth) victory by just one championship point.
Southern Cross Constructions had trailed by more than four minutes at various stages throughout the race and most supporters had given up on their chances.
Euan Mc Nicol recalls the race and his thoughts as he watched his main rivals sail off into the distance:
"In terms of the final race 'comeback', I don't really have any one defining point.
"The whole way through the regatta our boat had a very calm, controlled attitude and we proved we could come back after things didn't go well early in a race. Both Aaron and Trent are very measured, relaxed guys; no fuss, just working on the job at hand.
"As the first beat unfolded and we seemingly sailed ourselves into a hopeless position, I don't remember ever thinking that we are done, it's over or whatever.
"It was just a case of dealing with the problem, the next five minutes and putting one foot in front of the other. I also had quite a bit of faith in the boat and the guys.
Sydney Harbour traffic during the 2009 Giltinan Championship
"Once the breeze settled a little into our chosen setting (basically full power around two, maybe just three on trapeze), we definitely had a power range that worked well.
"The first beat may have been lighter than that and may have required a different setup, but no excuse, we just went the wrong way.
"
Then some time on the second beat I said to the guys "we're not done here". We were back in the same piece of water and only one or two minutes down after trailing by more than four minutes at the top mark the first time.
"From there on it was a case of every millimeter, every shift, every puff. Fortunately for us, the conditions were in our favour - light and shifty with large holes and plenty of confused waves.
"I guess at that stage it was easy being the underdog; nobody would have expected us to get back into the picture, so from that perspective we had nothing to lose.
On the final beat there was a lot of tension among the three boats in the picture for the overall win. I guess we just kept getting bigger in the rear view mirrors and we knew that factor in itself was a big influence.
"The final run was a case of doing some small calculations and focusing on what we could control - our speed and modes.
"We had to watch for possible tactical gains while balancing that between getting past one boat and staying close enough to another.
"Fortunately it worked out for us and we were greeted by an electric atmosphere at the finish. I can safely say that I will remember that moment for the rest of my life.
"It is difficult to describe the energy. You could literally feel the presence of the spectators, family and friends as it all unfolded. It was pretty amazing to be a part of such a moment, especially when we got to experience it as a team".
Euan Mc Nicol and fans at the 2009 Giltinan Championship
Euan Mc Nicol:
Euan is one of the most talented sailors in Australia and a highly regarded coach.
Prior to this 2009 victory, he won the 2000 Giltinan as a crewmember with the John Winning-skippered AMP Centrepoint, then won again in 2005 as skipper of Club Marine.
He has also won two 29er worlds (2001 and 2005) and the International 14 worlds in 2006 and has competed in six Sydney-to-Hobart races - gaining line honours with Nicorette in 2004.
Just before this latest campaign with Southern Cross Constructions, Euan was coach with the 2008 Australian Olympic team.
Whether he has time for a campaign to defend his title, Euan certainly made clear his enthusiasm for the 18s: "It is very easy to be enthusiastic about this class and the Giltinan regatta. There is no problem getting motivated to go 18 sailing on Sydney Harbour. We are very fortunate to have the Australian 18 Footers League underwriting the class, which is veyr much alive and well".
Euan Mc Nicol's previous win in 2005
Aaron Links:
Before joining the 18 footer ranks, Aaron was a multiple Australian, State and club champion as well as World Youth match racing champion skipper.
He also recorded top three results in Australian Championships in 420, 470, Manly Junior and Flying 11 classes.
Up until the Southern Cross Constructions campaign, Aaron's 18 footer career has been on the sheet with Michael Coxon. A combination which netted him two Giltinan Championship wins - Casio Seapathfinder in 2006 and Fiat in 2007.
Aaron is Managing Director of an Austrakasian company and a devoted family man.
Wife Emma has always been an enthusiastic supporter on the Australian 18 Footer League's spectator ferry; now Daniel 4, Mia 2 and Jamie 5 months join mum as often as possible to continue their support of dad.
Aaron Links and family
Trent Barnabas:
Trent Barnabas has been known to the Sydney 18 footer community for almost all his life as the family attended each Sunday to follow the fortunes of Trevor Barnabas in the famous Chesty Bond skiffs.
Trevor repaid Trent's loyal support when he retired from the 18s in 1989 to sail with Trent in a Flying Eleven.
After five years in the Flying Eleven and one season in 16ft skiffs together, father and son joined forces in the 18s for the first time in 1994-1995 when they teamed up in the Baracuda Pool Cleaner skiff.
Together they went on to win three Giltinan Championships in a series of skiffs named Omega Smeg-2UE.
In recent years, Trent has been busy building his own family home and his sailing activities have consequently been restricted to limited local races as well as crewing for American Howie Hamlin in a few major international regattas.
Now Trent's wife Christine and sons Zac (8) and Jake (6) regularly follow dod's fortunes in Southern Cross Constructions.
Trent Barnabas and family
Euan Mc Nicol summarises 'The Campaign' leading up to the Giltinan Championship win and the equipment used on Southern Cross Constructions:
"We went into the season with fairly simple goals. Equal equipment and at least equal speed, hoping we could tune our boat accurately through the range then concentrate on the sailing.
"We also realised early that we would never be able to sail three or four times a week like our opposition so we had to be more conservative with our development and focus on the things that would matter most come time for the Giltinan.
"Other than regular club racing, we may have had only five or six extra days sailing during the season as we each have busy lives away from 18s sailing at the moment.
"Fortunately, we have all spent a deal of time in the class so we managed to get things sorted out fairly quickly as a first season team together.
"Although our boat had a good pedigree, having won the 2007 Giltinan for Michael Coxon and being runner-up in 2008, it was a little overweight.
"We tried to put it on a diet with a few lighter fittings. A new rudder from Van Munsters and new boom from Southern Spars to go with the High Modulus rigs they supplied the previous year".
Aaron Links as part of the winning team at the 2006 Giltinan Championship
"There were no real big rig secrets as we used the same rigs as were on the boat the previous season.
"Many of the fleet had these rigs from Southern Spars and several of the top boats had High Modulus rigs from other manufacturers such as CST and CT, in New Zealand.
"We were very happy with our gear, which worked very well with the North Sails, as it was a known quantity and had a further bonus of less time required to get up to race pace.
"The generation of stiffer rigs has now got to the stage where there is very little compression under trapezing crew weight loads while sailing. This took us a little time to work through, but generally has been a good thing in that what you see is what you get.
"There are a few other areas in which there has been considerable advance in technology. Our sails and battens are now also following the theme of the masts in that they are both very light and stiff, which leads to what I would describe as very little wasted energy. The shapes are consistent, controllable and therefore the boats feel direct and responsive.
"We used Roubichaud Batten Systems or RBS from the US, which are really neat carbon tapered battens and, of course, very light and accurate. Definitely an important piece of the puzzle when considering the sail area we are tyring to support - especially in the head of the mainsails.
"We used North Sails from the Sydney loft which were 3DL and again very light".
A young Trent Barnabas with a replica of dad Trevor's famous Chesty Bond skiff and Trent as he is today as a champion 18ft Skiff crewman
"I don't have a number on the weight but when you pick up the bag you are very aware of how far sail technology has come in the last decade.
"North Sails' Michael Coxon andKeith Lorenz have worked very closely with the US and the 18 footer class for several years and we have every generation of sails logged and recorded. This makes it easy to work through the development curve and to figure out where you think the next gains may be made.
"I think the rigs we are currently using (sails, battens and masts) can be considered right at the leading edge of the sport. You only need to look around the sailing world (America's Cup, Volvo Race and multihulls) to appreciate that an 18 footer can stand up in terms of sail and rig design".
JAMIE MEARS WINS WEYMOUTH GRAND PRIX
Pica, skippered by Jamie Mears, on the way to winning Round 3 of the UK Nationals
Jamie Mears, Matt Gill and Stewart Mears proved too good for their opposition when they took out the Weymouth Grand Prix in Pica on the weekend of 6-7 June.
After the first day's racing was cancelled when 25-knots plus winds swept across the course, Sundays four races were sailed in far less wind and produced some close racing even though Pica managed to cross the finish line first in each of the four races.
In Race 1 Pica's crew elected to go right while the rest of the fleet took the left of the course, allowing Pica to hold a narrow lead at the first mark. Investec (Mason Woodworth) was in second place early in the race but Gill Wet & Wild (Ed Browne) managed to jump Investec on the run to take third place in the race. Ian Turnbull's Ronstan then managed to engage in a good dual with Pica for the top spot before Pica held on for the win.
Race 2 was nearly a repeat of Race 1 although this time Gill managed to get the better of Ronstan to finish in second place behind Pica.
The wind shifted 60 degrees (from the south-west) to the south for Race 3 which required a quick resetting of the course. With all teams fighting for the pin it was Pica that won the start and led the fleet to the left. After a horrible start, Investec tacked right and found a bit more pressure. The gamble paid off as the Investec team led around the windward mark. The next two laps of the course saw frequent lead changes in the shifty wind before Pica managed to hold off a charging Ronstan for the win.
Race 4 was a light and shifty affair as the wind died almost completely. In these conditions the race committee started the fleet on a shortened course. With 30 degree shifts in wind direction, placings changed frequently throughout the race. Pica's crew managed the conditions best to take the lead from Investec. After a full lap Gill had pushed through to second but let Ronstan and Invested through on the final agonisingly slow run. This was just enough for Ronstan to steal second place for the event ahead of Gill and Investec.
With only one more round still to be sailed in the Grand Prix (at Hamble in August), Pica holds a slender one point lead over Ronstan with Gill a further six points back in third place.
Presentation ceremony Mark Foy Trophy Pic: Ingrid Abery
2004 Giltinan champion Rob Greenhalgh showed he had lost none of his 18 footer skills when he returned from Volvo ocean racing duties to win the inaugural Mark Foy Trophy regatta on Quiberon Bay, Carnac, France.
Greehhalgh, who was joined by crewmen Dan Johnson and Phil Harmer on his brand new skiff 'Benny', proved too consistent for the runner-up team of Grant Rollerson, Jack Young and Michael Coxon on SLAM.
Rollerson's team won six of the eleven short course races while Greenhalgh took out four, but Rollerson and his team had three poor results which ultimately cost them a possible overall victory.
Third place went to the US champion Howie Hamlin (Macquarie Real Estate) who skippered the only other team to win a race. Hamlin was joined by Fritz Lanzinger and Matt Noble who also crewed with him recently when he won the ASL Championship at PIER 39, San Francisco.
The regatta was an ideal promotional opportunity for 18 footers as the 30 boat fleet represented nine countries (UK, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Denmark, Hungary, France, Germany, Switzerland) and included four former Giltinan Championship winning skippers.
The next Mark Foy Trophy will be sailed in Australia (in conjunction with the Giltinan Championship) in 2010. The US will then conduct the 2011 contest.
HOWIE HAMLIN WINS ASL CHAMPIONSHIP AT PIER 39
USA's leading 18 footer skipper Howie Hamlin, along with crewmen Matt Noble and Fritz Lanzinger (plus replacement Paul Allen for an injured Matt Noble on Day 2) took out the American Sailing League's Championship series at San Francisco's PIER 39 after dominating the series with their Team Harken skiff.
Team Harken in action on the way to victory in the ASL Championship at Pier 39
The two day regatta off PIER 39 offered an incredible vantage point for spectators to see up close how the skiffs perform under a variety of conditions.
Starting at the northernmost end of PIER 39, spectators were practically on top of the skiffs as they raced within a few hundred yards of the shore. The start/finish line was directly in front of PIER 39 with the windward mark set just east of Pier 45.
Hamlin's experience enabled him and his crew to take every race (with the exception of Race 3 on the second day) while defending champions Patrick Whitmarsh, Kevin Richards and Joe Penrod had to be content with second placing overall in West Marine.
Third place went to Chad Freitas' Gym Class Fitness with Andrew Mc Corquodale's Skiff Sailing Foundation fourth.
Hamlin said of the event: "It's so much fun to sail in a short course format, with all the boat traffic and the city front, it's like sailing in Sydney Harbour".
The action and capsizes kept spectators riveted to the racecourse.
Sue Muzzin, PIER 39's Director of Public Relations & Advertising said: "It's a great waterfront event that appeals to our broad range of visitors. We are looking forward to working with ASL and growing their championship series at PIER 39".
The continuing strong growth of the New Zealand 18 footer fleet was clearly displayed on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour in April when the locals filled the first five placings against the Australian team in the ANZAC Regatta.
Quantum Sails NZ (Chris Skinner, Chris Burgess and Dave Healy) won the regatta after a strong performance which saw them discard a second placing before finishing on six points from the six race series. The team revelled in the predominantly #2 rig Easterly conditions with a clear speed edge on the fleet and with boat handling to match.
Skinner saw it as a fitting end to the 2008-2009 sum
mer season after "long hours spent developing and building our new rig/sail combinations and keeping high standards to training sessions".
Second placed JF Hillebrand (Phil Airey) took the gun in two races but couldn't match the overall consistency of Quantum Sails NZ, which always seemed in control of the series.
Yamaha (SCott Kennedy) finished third, ahead of CT Sailbattens (Alex Vallings) and Maersk (Graham Catley). The leading Australian team was Club Marine (Cameron Mc Donald) which finished sixth after falling out of contention with gear failure in each of the last two races.
The Quantum NZ team elected not to compete in the Mark Foy Trophy regatta, preferring to focus on the 2010 Giltinan Championship, and intend using the winter months continuing their sail development.
 & CST (USA).jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
