Gemmell Sails Takes Opening Inter-club

Race Results

Gemmell Sails, skippered by Murray Press and guest crewed by Cameron McDonald, won the Upper Harbour Championship at the weekend, held at Lane Cove 12ft Skiff Club.

Gemmell Sails took to the lead soon after the start and kept their nose in front all the way to the finish, despite close challenges from multiple skiffs, in a light and shifty south easterly breeze.

All skiffs went with the big rig option with not a lot of breeze forecast.

While Gemmell Sails jumped to the lead, there was a tussle for the minor places throughout the race, initially lead by Maersk Line and Garde, followed up by Linclon Crowne and Dimension Polyant. Garde had a capsize at the bottom mark to loose touch with the leaders.

Gemmell Sails continued to lead whilst Lincoln, Maersk and Dimension traded places right up to the entrance to the river for the finish.

With anything possible between there and the finish, Gemmell Sails held their nerve to take the win, while Garde caught the gust of the day to be back neck and neck with the others in 2nd place. Their luck continued and carried them through the narrows of the river to steel 2nd place.

Dimension picked up 3rd, with Maersk 4th.

Gemmell Sails also picked up the handicap for their stellar effort, with Maersk Line getting 2nd and Vantage Real Estate 3rd.