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12ft Skiff Interdominion: Geotherm leads but Sydney Sailmakers on the warpath   

Progressive Results

Brett Hobson/Jeremy Jones (Geotherm) were lucky to take Race 2 from Nick Press/Andrew Hay (Sydney Sailmakers) at the Your Move Conveyancing 12ft Skiff Interdominion hosted by the Sydney Flying Squadron this afternoon, while the latter pair repaid the favour by cleanly taking out Race 3.  

A grey overcast Day 2 with breeze a little light on greeted the 35 crews representing NSW, Queensland and New Zealand in the 59^th running of the event. Initially the breeze was from the south, but by the time Race 3 came around, it had veered to the south-east, averaging around 12-14 knots throughout the afternoon.

“We won the first race, but Nick (Sydney Sailmakers) was unlucky not to win it,” Geotherm’s skipper Brett Hobson admitted.  

“We had shocking start – got caught up with a port tacker. They (Press/Hay) took off and had long lead. We got in front of them at the last top mark after pegging them back. On the last run into the finish, Nick got us back – but he got tangled up with another boat I think  – so we got him by a couple of seconds (it was just over one second). He was pretty unlucky.”

While Sydney Sailmakers was predominantly in first place all race and Geotherm in second, the Icarus crew of Andrew and Will Chapman had third placed nailed. “They did pretty well, did a good job” Hobson said.

There was no mistaking Sydney Sailmakers’ Race 3 win. They won by more than three minutes, with the Brad Phillips/Harry Bethwaite crewed Terms & Conditions second and Geotherm third. 

“We had another bad start – back in the second row,” confessed Hobson, who is typically a crack starter. “The breeze shifted to the left and we got knocked and struggled to get across the start.”   

The breeze was patchy and gusty throughout and while Sydney Sailmakers shot through to win, Geotherm was back in fifth and sixth for a fair part of the race.  

“There was a lot of chopping and changing among the boats all through the race and we ended up third,” the Killara sailor said. 

The Chapmans had been in third place, but were swallowed up and finished sixth, beaten by Chris Skinner/Chris Holland on Jackson Electrical (NZL) and Southport Sails (Murray Press/Scott Lanham) in what was a very close race behind Press/Hay. 

“It was a bit of a lottery a lot of the time due to the conditions, especially in first race as breeze was trying to go south-east,” explained Hobson, who after three races leads the series on countback to Press/Hay who are sure to put the pressure on for the rest of the series.  

Making a return to the 12s with ‘Dignity’, Cam and Charlie Gundy have come fresh from racing on separate yachts in the Rolex Sydney Hobart and won today’s Race 2 on handicap. The 21 and 20 year-olds respectively don’t usually sail together, so it was a great result.  

“We normally race against each other – I was on Patrice in the Hobart and Cam was on Kayamai – it was hard work but a lot of fun,” he said. “Today was our fourth day together in the 12, so it was good to get a win. We used to sail them, but it’s been a long time,” said Charlie, who is crews on the skiff, while Cam helms.   

“We had a solid start, kept the boat upright and stayed in pressure. There’s some very good competition here – you can’t make any mistakes – one bad tack and you lose places – it’s very tight racing,” he said.

The 20 year-old is praying for more wind during the week, “Because it’s (Dignity) a heavy old boat – older than me. Sadly, the weather is looking even lighter on Tuesday… We also have to keep the boat in one piece to finish.”  

Tomorrow is a lay day, with racing in the Your Move Conveyancing 12ft Skiff Interdominion continuing on Tuesday from 2.30pm, with two races planned.  

A spectator ferry will follow the final day of racing – 12th January. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased via the Sydney Flying Squadron website: www.sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au  The ferry will depart the wharf at the club at 2pm. Drinks can be purchase on board. We recommend having lunch at the club (restaurant or cafe) prior to heading out on the ferry.

By Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media

Photo – David Killoran

View results here

Resailed Race 2 and race 4 were held today.

Check out the results below.

Race 5 and 6 are tomorrow at Lane Cove, followed by the presentation.

12ft-skiff-states-2018-results-r2_r4_pts.xlsx

Nick Press and Andrew Hay on Sydney Sailmakers currently lead the NSW State Championships after the first weekend of competition.

Only 1 of the 3 scheduled races was completed, with all racing postponed on Sunday due to strong winds. A call came in from the PRO just before the skiffs left the beach, with the news of 37knot gusts from the west.

In contrast, Saturday’s race 1 was sailed in a lovely 17-20knot North-easterly. Sydney Sailmakers put on a skilfully display with their 2^nd rig, handily the over powered conditions masterfully, to win the long course race.

They almost led start to finish, with superior downwind speed, only being troubled in the latter parts of the race by Geotherm, who took the lead at the final windward mark. Sydney Sailmakers executed a near-perfect nose dive on the bear away at the mark rounding, leaving the door open for Geotherm with their 3^rd rig to sniff victory. Geotherm’s lead was short lived as Sydney Sailmakers downwind speed came to the fore on the run to the finish.

The battle for 3^rd place was hotly contested for most of the race with Southport Sailmakers, Skoll (also 2^nd rig) and Red Rocket exchanging blows. Skoll succumbed to the power of the 2^nd rig, and Southport had a quick slip up, to let Red Rocket take a much deserved 3^rd place.

Many in the fleet had opted for 2^nd rigs, which resulted in several retirements.

Arrogant Frog, had a great day out finishing 7^th and winning the handicap.

The State Championships continue this weekend at Lane Cove (both Saturday and Sunday).

Race 1 results here.

View the result here

Ben Austin and Oscar Wilson on Hey Charger took out the upper harbour championship today, held in variable SE Breeze.

Nick Press in Sydney sailmakers were close behind in 2nd, with Andrew and Will Champman sailing Icarus finished 3rd.

Most skiffs opted for 3rd rigs , with the odd 2nd rig, the latter having the right option.

Hey Charger also won handicap for their stellar performance.

The 12ft Skiff fleet, racing in the 2016 Interdominions, spent some solid hours on the water today completing both the Invitation Race and the first race of the series.

25 boats from Aussie and New Zealand are at the event which is hosted by the Auckland Skiff League.

C-Tech (NZL), skippered by Alex Vallings with Fraser Brown at the pointing end, had a glamour day winning both races over the line. At this point Vallings and Brown are probably hoping that the curse of the Invitation Race is just a myth from the past.

Read more on LiveSailDie.com

Results

Races 1, 2 and 3 of the State Championships were held over the weekend at the Sydney Flying Squadron.

The fleet of 15 skiffs were blessed with a 3rd rig North Easterly breeze on both Saturday and Sunday, with a heavy run-out tide to add to the excitement.

Sydney Sailmakers (Nick Press and Andrew Hay) lead the championship after winning the first 2 races, and picked up a second place in race 3.

In race 1 Sydney Sailmakers fought of an early challenge from Geotherm, who had initially lead the race, to claim victory. The shark Island wing mark playing havoc with the fleet. It saw the top 4 boats all pull level for the lead after being spread out at the previous top mark. Lincole Crowne finishing 3rd from Big Foot in 4th. Slippery When Wet won the handicap honours.

Sydney Sailmakers made it a perfect start to the championship by winning race 2. They again had to fight off a challenge from Geotherm, who had again lead the race before capsizing on the first run. Lincolne Crowne finished 2nd and Big Foot found there way onto the podium for 3rd. Citadel Magnus won the handicap after a great performance from the crew.

Geotherm held on for a nail-biting win in race 3 from Sydney Sailmakers. Geotherm held the lead at the first mark, however Sydney Sailmakers hit the lead after the downwind leg. The next lap of the race saw the lead change between these skiffs 3 more times before Geotherm pipped Sydney Sailmakers right on the line. The lads on Cunnings Stunts got themselves on the scoreboard in race 3 after some teething problems in races 1 and 2, and were rewarded with a handicap win.

The final 3 races of the Championship will be held next weekend at Lane Cove, with the presentation Sunday evening at the club.

Cloud and dust were the order of the morning as the 12foot skiffs rolled in to do battle against the Cherubs at the Sydney Flying Squadron in Kirribilli on Sunday. It was a great turnout from the Cherubs who, besides from significantly increasing the good looks average in the Rigging Park, also brought with them a hunger to beat the 12’s, and get some good rides along the way. Some nursing questionable hangovers, the fleet of 14 boats made its way onto the water just after 2pm for the reach out to the start line for the first of 2 sprint races. Adam Forbes with his brand new 12 Maersk Line was unfortunately not able to make it, despite grinders, drills and some made splicing all morning, the stars didn’t align enough to get the boat on the water for its inaugural sail. We are looking forward to seeing what is a great new boat hit the water very soon.

The breeze was behaving in the 14-19 knot range from the South and allowed most twelves to carry their second rigs, with 2 boats opting for third. The starters as usual did a great job in setting up a 2 lap windward leeward course between Athol Bay and Darling Point. The breeze built with five minutes to go and the Cherubs and 12’s circled backwards and forwards sizing each other off with a hunger for a full pace start before racking up for what was a clean start. The Order of the first work was big holes and big shifts- everywhere. Throw a few dopey power boat drivers in the mix and it was a recipe for some great passing lanes, which the Cherubs took great advantage of staying hot on the heels of the front pack of 12’s. A couple of great lines of breeze kept the front pack of 12’s and Cherubs in the clear as they sped down to the bottom mark, with right hand side of the course playing havoc for anyone who got stuck over there. The second beat again created many changes with Geotherm’s comfortable lead being eaten up by both LCC and Big Foot. All 3 skiffs were neck and neck at the last bottom mark and it was only mistakes form LCC and Big Foot at the mark rounding that let Geotherm get away with a win. Harden Up was the first of the cherubs, closely followed by Action.

For the second race the starters kept the same two-lap format but brought the top mark a little closer to avoid the holes that played havoc in the first race. Some Cherub and 12 crews also swapped around to give a different perspective on the other boats and style of sailing. Again a close start ensured which had the majority of the pack closely following each other to the left of the course before tacking at Bradleys Head. More consistent breeze for this leg kept the mark rounding tight with LCC around first with Geotherm hot on their heels. The downwind leg was a screamer with most boats carrying great breeze to the bottom, some conveniently holding out their gybe to they were right next to the concentration of eye candy that is ‘The Island’ floating bar on the harbour. Needless to say there were a few shaky gybes as the crews got caught glancing backwards at the fabulous people in few clothes. I digress, where were we? Oh yes, the bottom mark. The front pack of Cherubs were right in the mix at the bottom mark which meant the game was on for the last lap, with a split of boats opting for different sides of the course. First around the top mark was LCC followed by the cherub Action showing good speed. Action unfortunately had a swim down the last run, letting Big Foot and Geotherm pick up 2nd and 3rd. In the cherubs New Order won from Harden Up, with Action back in 3rd.

The day was topped off by some beers and Tacos on the deck at the club, with LCC collecting the prize for first place 12 and Harden UP collecting the prize for the first placed Cherub. All in all it was a great day and we look forwards to having our mates from the Cherub class back again for more racing in the near future.

A reduced field of 6 skiffs set sail to contend the “Dodge” trophy. Three of the skiffs were of the clubs faster boats of modern design whilst the remainder were the handicap backmarkers of the fleet. Adding to the difficulties of the slower boats was the fact that two were carrying crew who had not previously sailed on a 12’ skiff, noted as being one of the most difficult of dinghies to sail.

The day saw varying wind strength and direction, so the selection of sail size (12’s can have big, medium or small sail sets) was varied with one boat choosing big, two boats medium, and the three slower boats choosing small.

A handicap start, where the slower skiffs are let go first saw “At Call” John Malquiney and Angus Musgrove made a great break over the other two, and established a handsome lead until trapped with no wind and unfavourable tide in the Lane Cove River’s infamous entrance well known to sailors as “Humbug”.  “Space Junk “whose rookie crew, Andrew Basil joined skipper Ailsa Jeans to try out sailing, was first to capsize in the variable conditions and after a few more swims, despite both being competitive swimmers Ailsa thought it wiser to retire. “Rip, Rack, Roar and Rumble” skippered by Ken Williams and crewed by rookie Charles Lilley, made a wobbly start but improved as the pair got the feel of working together. “RRRR” managed to pass “At Call” in “Humbug” with no understanding on the part of the skipper as to how this happened.

Meanwhile back at the club the faster skiffs were making to the water to start. “Chapman High Performance Sailing” Jack Winning and Brett Phillips (Combined crew age around 120 years) were really after the prize and decided to put on the big sails, however during rigging some very basic mistakes that Brett attributes to a “senior’s moment“ meant that the skiff had to be returned to the slips for correction. Time lost was not able to be recovered for a handicap placing but the pair achieved 3^rd fastest time.

“The Bird” Dave Lusty and Glenn Farquhar did most things right and sailed away to pass the slower skiffs by the time two thirds of the race had passed. This skiff, which is an ex interdominion champion, must have a sense of its own, because even though Dave and Glenn both fell of the boat at the same time near the Drummoyne mark, the skiff managed to stay upright and then take them on to victory.

Last skiff away was “Skoll” sailed by Peter Polec and Rob Joyce. They sailed consistently to gradually close in on the slower boats. The pair on “Rip Rack Roar and Rumble” were improving their boat speed and also had managed to get through the bulk of the race without capsize so towards the end of the race the pressure was on for them to hold their lead. This they did finishing second with “Skoll” finishing a very close third.

“At Call” was the last skiff home with Skipper John Malquiney pleased to get home with time to reflect on the race over a beer in the clubhouse.

Fastest time for the day was taken by “The Bird” with “Skoll” second and “Chapman High Performance Sailing” third.

By Ken Williams

Sydney Flying Squadron, Season 2015-16 Opening day, Club Championship

Saturday 10.10.15

Dropbox photos 
Back at the Squadron, sailing Saturday for the opening day.
Lane Cove Skiff club made today a non-pointscore race to allow the river 12s to come and show 12-footer solidarity at the SFS for the opener.
Beautiful morning, soft breeze, but with the weather like this the feeling was it would build to the forecast 15 knot North easter, most skiffs opting for 2nd rig. As it eventuated, all these skiff made the wrong choice.
North Easterly, start off Clark Island, 2 times to Beashel Buoy then the Gas buoy off Nielsen Park.
11 Starters today, with Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses making the best of a heavily biased line and off in the lead from the pin, Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant having to duck and tack through the line on Port, with Geotherm in their first race for the season crowding Bigfoot for the lead, Lincoln Crowne and Company possibly in second behind Bigfoot, Skol (one of the 3 big-rigs) just behind. Working the soft breeze toward Bradleys Head, all tacked away to the east, seeing more pressure in Steele Point, LCC, Sydney Sailmakers and Bigfoot in a tight group, with a 100m margin on the 4th placed Skol. Working all along Nielsen Park, tacking east into small pressure lines out of Watsons bay, LCC furthest east in best pressure but sailing further, saw Sydney Sailmakers first to Beashel Buoy, LCC close behind, then Bigfoot, with a slight gap to Skol then the other 2nd rigs. By now Chapman High Performance Sailing and Madonna (the other 2 big-rigs) were using their horsepower to start to come into the fleet from a slightly late start.
Down the run around the island, the 3 lead boats in a tight group, reaching the Clark Island bottom mark in the same order and still overlapped. At Bradleys Head, Bigfoot dropped off, LCC fell off the breeze, giving Sydney Sailmakers an 80m lead, this time tight tacking up the West shore into Chowder Bay. Here LCC split and went East, with breeze showing in Watsons Bay. Sydney Sailmakers went back into the west, and hung onto the last of the west pressure, while Bigfoot, Geotherm and the others in the west saw the breeze ease up, leaving this group slow. This The east pressure saw LCC halve Sydney Sailmakers lead at Beashel Buoy, with Skol also in the east coming into 3rd. Down the square run, this order maintained, with Sydney Sailmakers holding a 50m margin over LCC at the bottom mark for the last time. This order maintained on the final work to Nielsen Park; then, on the run to the finish Sydney Sailmakers capsized, (crew rotation) allowing LCC to take the place, just ahead of Sydney Sailmakers. Bigfoot brought the pressure, allowing them to overtake Skol for 3rd, Skol 4th

The Australian Championships kicked off today with race 1 and 2 sailed in a 2nd rig easterly.

Geotherm took out race 1 from, Allwood sails (Josh Franklin), and Sydney Sailmakers 3rd.

Race 2 was won by Sydney Sailmakers, with Geotherm 2nd and Maersk Line 3rd.

Full results will be available from the the Brisbane site.

Abbottsford 7th Feb.

The skiffs arrive to a glassy river: looks to be no racing today. Forecast light Big rig not looking to eventuate, with even Adrienne Cahalan and her forecasting expertise was not optimistic for the day.

But the breeze filled slowly from the east, precipitating the skiffs into rigging for the scheduled 2 short races, east north-east breeze with a strong run-out tide.

Heat 1, short start-line, hotly contested, saw a few of the eager, including Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses shut out at the boat-end.

Garde away the best, closely followed by Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant and Lincoln Crowne and Company, working out of Dobroyd Bay into the tide run of the river, tacking down-river seeking pressure-lines in the breeze. The strong tide caused all the skiffs to overlay the top mark in Bedlam Bay, with Garde rounding first, the breeze swinging into the south requiring a gybe-set around the mark. They were followed closely by Lincoln Crowne and Company, who unfortunately caught the line from the mark around their centre-board in the rounding, towing the mark away from the 3rd placed Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant, with LCC cheekily taking their penalty turn at the end of the run. Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses were 4th around, closely followed by Stay Connected Electrical, then Chapman High Performance Sailing.

Down the run all the skiffs looking for advantaged breeze to get deep to the bottom mark in France Bay. In the tight-running to the mark, a small pressure increase saw Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses put the nose down slightly, followed by a lightning fast capsize in the nosedive that ensued.

LCC dropped to 6th at the bottom mark while taking their penalty turn, with Garde leading up the work, just in front of Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant, with Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses rumbling to recover lost ground.

This was the order for the next rounding, with Lincoln Crowne and Company back up to 4th. This mark-rounding was again a gybe-set to position the boats for the run into France Bay. This order held for the remainder of the race, with Garde 1st in a ‘photo finish ahead of Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant, and Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses getting a final north shift 50m from the finish to shake off Lincoln Crowne and Company to take 3rd, with Stay Connected 5th and Chapman High Performance Sailing 6th.

Heat 2, all skiffs bunched at the boat end again, this time Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant got the best of the start, just ahead of Garde, with Lincoln Crowne and Company and Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses right there.

Again the fleet making short tacks in the tide, looking for now stronger shifts out of the north, Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant cleared out, with Garde, Lincoln Crowne and Company and Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses all crossing tacks for next placing. All 3 overlapped at the Bedlam Bay top-mark, Garde was second around, then Lincoln Crowne and Company and then Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses. Again a gybe-set for all, lining up for the breeze into the ferry stop at Abbotsford Point. Pressure lines down the run saw the front 2 and Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses extend slightly from the fleet, with Garde working back into the race from the first-work hold-up. At the bottom mark, back on the breeze, the fleet very tightly bunched, with Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant just ahead of the next 4.

This remained the pattern until the final top-mark rounding, where Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses rounded in 3rd and set the spinnaker in the gust-of-the-day, that rocketed them past Garde into second place.

Around the bottom mark for the last time, Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses tacked east into Abbottsford Point, getting better breeze than Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant moving into first. Desperate short-tacking in the final 100m saw Bigfoot Custom Trapeze Harnesses hang on for the win and Garde pass Sydney Sailmakers/Dimension Polyant to take second, with Lincoln Crowne and Company 4th.

The Sydney Sailmakers crew of Nick Press and Andrew Stevenson are the 12ft Skiff Interdominion title holders for 2015 after leading the annual stoush between Australia and New Zealand from the get go to the end on the Sydney Harbour courses.

In today’s final Race 10, sailed in patchy and light north-east and east-nor’ easterly winds, the Sydney Sailmakers crew was able to race without constraint and won the final race by nearly four minutes.

Press said this afternoon: “It’s a great feeling. There was no pressure on us today, so we were relaxed. Little Bus (NZL) and Geotherm were covering each other and C-Tech (NZL) got involved, so we were left to sail the race.”

Sail it they did, escaping the clutches of a big hole in the course near Shark Island that both Little Bus (also known as C-Tech Grey) and C-Tech fell into. Geotherm, skippered by Brett Hobson, who had chosen his No. 2 rig in preparation for the forecast but no-eventuating 20 knot wind (the others had opted for the bigger and more suitable No. 1 rig) saw what was happening and avoided the trap.

This is Press’ sixth Interdominion title and crew Andrew Stevenson’s third. With Brad Yabsley, Press, from Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club won the title in 2005, 2010 and 2011. In 2012, 2013 and this time around, it was with Stevenson as for’ard hand. The two’s name will be added to the Silasec Trophy once again for the event alternately in Australia and New Zealand,

Putting more distance between them and the rest of the fleet, Sydney Sailmakers left the two Kiwi boats and Geortherm to slog it out.

“Reido (Little Bus) gybed and got caught in a hole. We didn’t, and that’s where we made our escape,” said Press, who sailed a near-faultless Interdominion.

“We only made a couple of mistakes and it’s all about how you recover and then get on with it. Stevo is a good skipper in his own right, so understands both roles. I attribute our win partially to that,” said Press, who will next sail the Nationals with Stevenson.

Second and third places were not as straightforward. The 2009 Interdominion champion Brett Hobson and crew Brad Phillips (Geotherm) and the Kiwi crew on Little Bus (Chris Reid/Andrew Clarke) sea-sawed back and forwards throughout the 10-race series. Coming into today’s long race, Little Bus/C-Tech Grey held a one point advantage over the Australians.

The defending champions, Alex Vailings/Fraser Brown (C-Tech White) were an outside chance to make it onto the podium, so it goes without saying that the three were always going to go to battle. In the end, the bigger rigged Kiwis beat Geotherm to the punch, sealing second place overall for Little Bus, third for Geotherm and fourth to C-Tech White.

“Geotherm got caught in a C-Tech sandwich,” said Chris Reid afterwards, bemoaning the fact he had finished second overall for a fourth time. “Next time, although I say that every time,” he said laughing.

Brett Hobson was happy he and Phillips were able to keep up with the Kiwis nearly the entire race, despite wearing a smaller rig. “We hoped it would freshen as it was supposed to. It did for a minute and then it died off again.

“We’re OK with our third, the Kiwis kept dumping on us and despite that, we kept pace with them till the last run – even with our smaller rig – I can hardly believe that,” he said.

No other crew could keep the relentless pace and faultless series of Sydney Sailmakers. Not even the defending champions on C-Tech, who were in a class of their own in a big nor’ easter on the penultimate day. Vailings, who has made huge inroads into developing the 12ft skiff over the last few years, sails both 18’s and 12’s. It left no time for practice before heading to Sydney.

Sydney Harbour in the full flourish of summer dished up the best in north-east and east/north-easterly winds, competitors enjoyed first class conditions for all 10 races, from the odd light race in the 8-10 knot region, right up to 25 knots. It does not get any better.

The Teams event for the John Brooke Team’s trophy went to Australia by 119 points, while The Rookie Nimble Trophy for the highest place first time skipper went to Ben De Flutier, the New Zealand skipper of One and In.

The Veterans Advanx Trophy (best skipper over the age of 45) was won by Murray Press, who at 62, is still at the top of his game and finished fifth overall. “The secret is having a good and young crew,” said Press, Nick’s father. “You don’t give up, you keep sailing. It keeps you young and fit and I like the speed and the fun.”

Glenn Farquhar, ‘The Bird’s’ 58 year-old for’ard concurs. “I keep going because it keeps me fit, young and slim. I still love it,” said the skiffie, who has not stopped for 42 seasons.

The 12ft skiff Association thanks Maersk Line, J&J Robertson & Sons, appliancesonline.com.au, Brentnalls Chartered Accountants & Advisors, IC Frith and Associates, Phoenix Leisure Group and The Kitchen Maker for their support.

Thanks also go to the 18 Footers League at Double Bay for hosting the 12ft Skiff Interdominion and Double Bay Sailing Club for kindly loaning their facilities.

Final top five results after 10 races and two drops:
1. Sydney Sailmakers 1-(3)-1-1-(2)-2-2-1-2-1, 11 points
2. Little Bus 2-(5)-4-2-1-3-1-3-(11)-2, 18
3. Geotherm (4)-1-2-3-3-(5)-3-2-3-4, 21
4. C-Tech 3-2-8-4-4-1-(11)-(DNF)-1-3, 26
5. Big Foot Custom Trapeze Harnesses 6-7-6-(9)-5-4-5-(9)-5-5, 43

Full results, news and photos: www.skiff.org.au

Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media

With one race remaining, a bullet and a second place this afternoon have given the Sydney Sailmakers crew of Nick Press/Andrew Stevenson an almost unassailable lead in the 12ft Skiff Interdominion being held on Sydney Harbour.

Race 8 was sailed in a 15-17 knot north-easterly. Going into the day, the top trio of Sydney Sailmakers, Little Bus (Chris Reid/Andrew Clarke, NZL) and Geotherm (Brett Hobson/Brad Phillips) hung together near the pin pre-start, with Chapman High Performance Sailing (Adrienne Cahalan/Brett Phillips) and Hempel Yacht Paints (Michael Spies/Robbie Polec).

Despite most skiffs carrying their No. 2 rigs, within a few minutes, three had capsized, including Cunning Stunts (Lachie Paramor/Scott Hobson), which had a broken rudder box. Soon after, defending champion Alex Vailings/Fraser Brown, (C-Tech, NZL) also succumbed. Suffering rig damage, they were forced to return to shore, killing their chances of winning the title back.

Many of the 28 skiffs fell like flies as the breeze pressured up and the Harbour became a little lumpy. At Nielson Park for the first time, Sydney Sailmakers was around first, their white kite set for the run to Shark and Clark Islands. Little Bus and Geotherm were hot on the trail as the trio put distance between them and the rest of the fleet.

By the second run, Geotherm had overtaken Sydney Sailmakers and Little Bus was trailing. However, when Geotherm threw in a couple of gybes, they failed to keep the quick Sydney Sailmakers at bay, the latter taking the win 200 metres from the finish.

“We botched it down the last run. We gybed twice, and didn’t do a good job of it, and they (Sydney Sailmakers) kept straight lining it,” Hobson conceded after the finish.

By Race 9, the breeze had swung further left and freshened to 20 plus knots on a bumpy sea, especially down the Vaucluse end. C-Tech returned to the course with a No. 3 rig, perfect for the conditions. Most, who had chosen their No. 2 rig, were finding their skiffs hard to harness in the stiffer breeze.

The top three started in close proximity again, and the race nearly became the classic ‘Last Man Standing’, as most capsized at least once. Even the faultless Sydney Sailmakers was not immune, following Little Bus into the water under kite soon after rounding Nielsen Park.

C-Tech alone was revelling in the conditions, leaving the carnage behind. Airborne with every bump, Vailings/Brown stayed cool until around 600 metres from the finish, when they too capsized. With Sydney Sailmakers making up ground, all looked lost for the Kiwis, but Vailings and Brown re-floated quickly and crossed the finish just before the Australians.

“Finally,” said C-Tech’s Fraser Brown. “We finally got the strong conditions we love,” he said with a big smile.

Hobson/Phillips (Geotherm) took third place, Ugly Stick (Simon Ganley/Oliver Scott-Mackie, NZL) was fourth, Big Foot Custom Trapeze Harnesses (Murray Press/Scott Lanham) fifth and Hempel Yacht Paints sixth.

Little Bus finished 10^th after a couple of swims, allowing Geotherm back into the picture. One point separates the two, which are second and third placed going into tomorrow’s last race, which will decide their fate.

“It was a little bit hectic,” Nick Press said ashore. “Twenty knots on a bumpy sea; we had heaps on in the bear-aways, but it was great once we got going downhill.”

Dropping second and third races from their scorecard, Press said: “I think we have it stitched up – barring any incidents. The other guys have had challenges which we fortunately didn’t. I thought we might win the last race, but Ging (Vailings) got up. He had his No. 3 rig; the No. 2 was a bit of a handful.”

Brett Hobson agreed that Race 9 was hectic. “But we like it like that,” he said. On the rest of the race and all it entailed: “Everything happened at once. The kite sheet wrapped around the rudder pin, we had land on one side and cruisers on the other – nowhere to go – and then we capsized. We’re a bit disappointed in our day. The goal always is to win.”

Hosted by the 18 Footers League at Double Bay, with assistance from Double Bay Sailing Club, the 12ft skiff Interdominion finishes with one long race tomorrow starting from 2.30pm.

Top four results after nine races and two drops:

1. Sydney Sailmakers 1-(3)-1-1-(2)-2-2-1-2, 10 points
2. Little Bus 2-(5)-4-2-1-3-1-3-(10), 16
3. Geotherm (4)-1-2-3-3-(5)-3-2-3, 17
4. C-Tech 3-2-8-4-4-1-(11)-(DNF)-1, 23

Full results, news and photos: www.skiff.org.au

Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media

Grant Casey Photo

The Sydney Sailmakers crew of Nick Press/Andrew Stevenson was pushed hard today by New Zealand’s Chris Reid/Andrew Clarke aboard Little Bus, who are hoping to nudge the Aussies from atop the podium in the 12ft Skiff Interdominion being held on Sydney Harbour this week.

Reid, who looked to have Race 6 stitched up in the 17-19 knot nor’ easterly, came unstuck when team members and defending champions Alex Vailings/Fraser Brown (C-Tech) and Sydney Sailmakers overtook them on the run home from Nielsen Park.

C-Tech crossed the finish nearly a minute ahead of Sydney Sailmakers, with Little Bus 14 seconds astern, but the latter’s best was yet to come.

Little Bus’ skipper explains his drop from the lead to third: “It was a Mexican stand-off. We chose our No. 3 rig today; we couldn’t make our minds up. C-Tech carried their No. 2 rig, so were better placed, as it were. It was a really weird race – there were holes in the breeze, you had to stay on your toes- and we couldn’t get out of our own way.”

C-Tech’s Fraser Brown only yesterday conceded the first five races were practice and today they would start racing. The pair had little time to celebrate, as a bow-on-bow collision with Hempel Yacht Paints early on the first work of Race 7 cost them dearly. They finished 11^th, their worst place so far. It has all but ending their chances of victory; they are 13 points off the lead.

However, in Race 7, Little Bus got off the start well near the pin with Big Foot Trapeze Harnesses (Murray Press/Scott Lanham), Sydney Sailmakers, Cougar (Cam Russell/Brad Madders), Geotherm (Brett Hobson/Brad Phillips) and Ghetto Sled (Richard Billett/Ben Cross).

Reid/Clarke did not put a foot wrong, leading the race from start to finish. The duo had many challengers and the fleet banged the corners in the nor’ easter which had risen to 20-21 knots, and it was no surprise to find Sydney Sailmakers among them. Geotherm, which had held down second place under today, were sluggish.

“We had a brand new mainsheet and it jammed and was shredding, so you couldn’t pull it on,” skipper Brett Hobson explained how they were depowered. “Somehow, and I don’t know how, Brad (his crew) was able to free it enough so we could use it. We didn’t come into our own until the run for home,” he said, pleased they were able to get enough speed for a third place finish.

Geotherm literally moved up from around eighth place into third, Hobson able to put the pedal to the metal.

“We know we’re on the back foot now (they have dropped from second to third place three points behind Little Bus), so we’ll just go out and sail our own races,” Hobson said of the remaining three. Two will be sailed on Friday and a longer race on Saturday will complete the 12ft Skiff Interdominion.

But all eyes were on powered up Little Bus as Sydney Sailmakers tried to catch them to no avail.

“With the tide on the turn, there was more pressure on the left side of the course and nice flat water came with it, so you could get going,” Reid said.

C-Tech skipper, Vailings said: “They seemed to have five degrees more height; they buried us and we couldn’t sail a clean race.”

In the end, Little Bus pipped Sydney Sailmakers by 32 seconds, with Geotherm over a minute adrift in third place. However, Reid and Clarke cannot rest on their laurels as Press and Stevenson are yet to put a foot wrong, and they are quick.

Hosted by the 18 Footers League at Double Bay, with assistance from Double Bay Sailing Club, the 12ft skiff Interdominion continues with two further races planned for Friday, starting from 2.30pm. Tomorrow is a lay day.

The winners of the 12ft Skiff Interdominion will have their name engraved on the Silasec Trophy, donated in 1956 by Keith Golding of Sealwall Trading Company who had an association with the Abbotsford Club and whose family continued to supply the winners’ replicas for many years.

With seven races away and three to go, the top five results are:

1. Sydney Sailmakers 1-(3)-1-1-2-2-2, 9 points
2. Little Bus 2-(5)-4-2-1-3-1, 13
3. Geotherm 4-1-2-3-3-(5)-3, 16
4. C-Tech 3-2-8-4-4-1-(11), 22
5. Big Foot Trapeze Harnesses 6-7-6-(9)-5-4-5, 33

Full results, news and photos: www.skiff.org.au

Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media

(Vita Williams Photo)

The Sydney Sailmakers crew of Nick Press/Andrew Stevenson continues to make light work of the 12ft Skiff Interdominion with a win and a second place on Sydney Harbour today, but the top Kiwi crews of Little Bus (Chris Reid/Andrew Clarke and C-Tech White, Alex Vailings/Fraser Brown proved a force to be reckoned with.

Race 4 was held on a perfect Sydney summer day in a light east-nor ‘easterly breeze. Queensland’s Hempel Yacht Paints (Michael Spies/Robbie Polec) got away cleanly off the pin right on the gun, leading the fleet up the first beat of the easterly course with Cunning Stunts (Lachie Paramor/Scott Hobson) and Stay Connected Electrical (Jacob Ronowicz/Craig Nicholson) giving chase.

But halfway up the kite run from Rose Bay to Clark Island, Sydney Sailmakers had assumed the lead with Hempel astern while Little Bus had moved into third place. Defending champs, Alex Vailings/Fraser Brown on C-Tech moved quickly up to fourth, chased by Big Foot Custom Trapeze Harnesses (BFTH) sailed by Murray Press/Scott Lanham.

By the time they reached the Robertson Point mark near Kirribilli, Sydney Sailmakers had romped away from the rest, leaving C-Tech, Hempel Yacht Paints, Geotherm (Brett Hobson/Brad Phillips), Press/Lanham, Ghetto Sled (Richard Billett/Ben Cross) and Little Bus to fight it out behind them.

Around the Rose Bay mark for the last time, Sydney Sailmakers left daylight between themselves and Little Bus, which had moved into second place, while Geotherm stayed consistent to finish third and C-Tech was fourth.

Race 5 and the wind hand swung further to the left and increased slightly in strength from 10 to 12-13 knots, perfect No. 1 rig weather.

Spies/Polec hit the pin running again, with Press/Lanham on BFTH, Cunning Stunts and Chapman High Performance Sailing (Adrienne Cahalan/Brett Phillips) going with them.

Further up the line, Little Bus made a perfect start and kept going. Like a runaway train, Reid kept the momentum up, and as his crew, Andrew Clarke, later said, “We had a little bit of wiggle room, clear air and we stayed out of trouble.”

The Little Bus crew kept making gains, having nobody but themselves to think about, their big red kite popping at each windward mark well in front of the rest.

Geotherm’s crew did all they could to peg back the Kiwis, but were in the unenviable position of also having to cover Press/Stevenson aboard Sydney Sailmakers. Press had worked his way up to third place. His father Murray Press was nipping away at his stern, but could not find the overtaking lane downwind to Clark Island.

In the end, it was Little Bus first, while Geotherm could not withstand the boat speed of Sydney Sailmakers and finished behind them for third.

“We had a terrible start in the earlier race, but we made up for it in the second,” Little Bus skipper Chris Reid said this afternoon, following their win.

His crew, Andrew Clarke added: “We’ve got the right boat and we’re just trying to minimise our mistakes.”

“The rig’s pretty special in light air – great for 10 knots. It’s a weapon – a development with Ging (Vailings, C-Tech),” Reid said of their No. 1 rig. “And watch out, you can’t take anything away from Ging, he’s just getting started.”

Vailings, whose name is synonymous with the development of the 12 foot class, has been a little slow to get into gear at this regatta.

“We need more time on the boat,” Vailings’ crew, Fraser Brown said. “Ging is in a funny situation where he campaigns 18’s and 12’s, so it’s hard to get time to practice on the 12 before the Interdominion. We need to get more tuned and practice more. We were a bit sticky in Race 4, but we clawed our way back up the fleet to fourth.

“We’ve had our practice now (referring to the five races) and now we’re ready to race,” Brown said smiling.

Hosted by the 18 Footers League at Double Bay, with assistance from Double Bay Sailing Club, the 12ft skiff Interdominion continues with two further races planned for tomorrow, starting from 2.30pm.

With five races away and five to go, the top four results are:

1. Sydney Sailmakers – 8 points
2. Geotherm – 13
3. Little Bus – 14
4. C-Tech – 21

Full results, news and photos: www.skiff.org.au

Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media

(Photo by Vita Williams)

The 12ft Skiff Interdominion is shaping up to be a humdinger between two Australian and two New Zealand entries, with the Aussies getting the upper hand today, including the Brett Hobson skippered Geotherm staging a comeback to move up to second place, but it’s Sydney Sailmakers, steered by Nick Press which has a target on its stern.

Brett Hobson/Brad Phillips aboard Geotherm stayed cool under pressure in the 15-17 knot nor’ easterly of Race 2 today, to hold off challenges from the defending champions on C-Tech White, Alex Vailings/Fraser Brown (NZL), Sydney Sailmakers, As Good As It Gets, Glenn Armstrong/Roger Barnes (NZL) and Little Bus (Chris Reid/Andrew Clarke (NZL).

In the end, it could not have been closer, as Geotherm pipped C-Tech White by 29 seconds, with Sydney Sailmakers (Nick Press/Andrew Stevenson) grabbing third place on the shortened course which took the 28-boat fleet from the Double Bay start, to Nielsen Park, Shark Island, Clark Island, Nielsen Park to the Double Bay finish.

Hobson admitted this afternoon, “The wheels fell off a bit yesterday, but we had a much better day.”

He and Phillips did not have it easy; they fought for every second to the finish. “It’s a little bit pressured with all the others so close around us, but we (he and Phillips) spoke about it between races and we think it’s good to be pushed.”

Capsizes were frequent and those aboard the spectator ferry were treated to some spectacular ones, some just before the finish line.

Race 3 and it was much of the same, except the north-easterly built to 20-22 knots, stretching the friendship with the number 2 rigs favoured by most. Only one or two used the No. 3 and were more comfortable in the bigger breeze.

It was on again between the favoured Aussies and the best two Kiwi crews as the skiffs headed to Nielsen Park for the first time. Sydney Sailmakers, C-Tech White and Geotherm got the early jump and stayed close on the course while around them spectators were treated to more thrills and spills as many failed to stay upright.

Sailing upwind to Nielsen Park the second time, C-Tech White vanished from view, leaving Sydney Sailmakers and Geotherm to tough it out, leaving the rest of the fleet almost out of sight.

Press had the advantage on the run back to Double Bay. Hobson gybed two or three times and Press went with him to cover, and although he closed the gap, it was a little late as the two drag-raced to the finish, just five seconds between them on the line.

Over a minute later, Maersk (Adam Forbes/Alex Johnson) finished third, with Little Bus (Chris Reid/Andrew Clarke) fourth 12 seconds later. C-Tech had capsized and lost ground to finish eighth.

But spare a thought for Michael Spies/Robbie Polec on Hempel Yacht Paints, who 50 metres from the finish capsized. Spies valiantly held the boat upright as long as he could, but succumbed. Lucky the tide was incoming and the pair floated across with the boat on its side.

“We broke a wire and the spinnaker pole broke in half,” said Spies admitting he was relieved tomorrow is a lay day, giving him time to repair.

With three races put to bed, Sydney Sailmakers leads Geotherm by two points, Little Bus by six points and the defending champs on C-Tech White by eight points.

“In Race 2, we didn’t have the boat speed we had yesterday; we had to work hard for our third place. It’s unreasonable to expect to win every race, but it’s nice to have three races without a big one to drop,” Sydney Sailmakers crew Andrew Stevenson said, referring to a race drop.

Of the competition, Stevenson said, “There’s been no real surprises; we expected Geotherm and the two Kiwi boats to be consistently good.”

Geotherm’s Brett Hobson said they were happier with today’s results. “We’re a lot happier, we’re sailing more consistently. Nick’s (Press) the man to beat and todays results keep us in touch with him. He’s got a quick boat and he rarely makes a mistake.”

On their fight to the finish in Race 3, Hobson said, “When C-Tech capsized, it left us free to do what we wanted. We figured the only way to beat Nick was to throw a few gybes at him on the last run. We shortened the distance between us, but the gybes weren’t clean ones, we could have closed the gap more.”

The 12ft skiffs will enjoy a lay day tomorrow, some plan on taking in the sights of Sydney, while others will work on their boats at Double Bay next to the 18 Footers Footers League at Double Bay and Double Bay Sailing Club, which are playing host to the 12 Foot Skiff Interdominion.

Full results, news and photos: www.skiff.org.au

Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media

(Photo by Vita Williams)

In the closest of shaves, Nick Press/Andrew Stevenson (Sydney Sailmakers) won the NSW 12ft Skiff Championship defeating Brett Hobson/Brad Phillips (Garde) by one point to take the title ahead of the 12ft skiff Interdominion to be sailed on Sydney Harbour in the early New Year.

Press and Stevenson were always going to be hard to stop and won three out of five races and were second in the remaining two, while the Garde duo won two races and took second place in the other three. Their results shut out their opponents in the series sailed over two weekends at different venues on Sydney Harbour.

There was an eight-point gap to third placed Jonathon Temple/Richard Jones (Lincoln Crowne), who fought to the end to claim the final podium place by just one point over Murray Press (father of Nick Press) and his crew Scott Lanham (Big Foot Custom Trapeze Harnesses).

There may have been some sighs of relief when final day’s Race 6 was abandoned due to the storms and a shifting breeze. Rigs make for good lightning conductors, so it was smart call it a day, but one more race could have turned the top four places around.

Decorated yachtswoman and occasional skiff sailor, Adrienne Cahalan, also threw her hat in the ring, skippering Chapman High Performance Sailing, with Brett Phillips crewing. The only female skipper, she and Phillips finished 11^th in the 15-boat fleet.

Press and Stevenson closed out the competition on handicap as well, with the Garde crew repeating their second place. Dave Lusty/Glenn Farquhar (The Bird) filled out the top three.

The first round of the NSW Championship was held at the Sydney Flying Squadron at Kirribilli. Day 1 of the Series was sailed in pleasant moderate 8-11 knot north-easterlies which increased to around 15 by afternoon. Day 2 was taken up a notch when big north-east and northerly winds gusted to 25 knots and more.

It made no difference to the top two. Press/Stevenson fired off two bullets and then finished second in Race 3. Hobson/Phillips chased Press around the course to finish with a pair of seconds and trumped them in the final race for a win. Temple/Jones were in good shape with a pair of thirds, but were dismasted in Race 3, ending their chances in circumstances that caused a few breakages.

Lane Cove 12’ Skiff Club hosted the second round on the weekend and the skiffies were at the mercy of a light variable easterly breeze. Given the forecast, the big rigs were brought out.

Amid frenzied tacking duels straight off the Clarkes Point start of Race 4, Press/Stevenson and Hobson/Phillips had already stamped their authority by the first mark in the shifty light airs and were not headed from there. Temple and Jones were third, but the racing was extremely close.

Race 5 was held in extremely shifty winds, oscillating between south-east and east, while the flags on the Harbour Bridge were showing north-east.

The start off Clarkes Point was delayed 40 minutes while officials waited for rain-squalls and 90 degree shifts to settle. Finally off, Murray Press/Scott Lanham were away best, but by the end had dropped to third behind Hobson/Phillips and Press/Stevenson. Race 6 was abandoned, handing the title to the pair on Sydney Sailmakers.

These results could be telling going into the Interdominion. Despite sailing on home turf and getting a good workout in the States, the Aussies will need to stay on their toes to beat their Kiwi counterparts, some of whom will arrive at the end of December to reacquaint themselves with Sydney Harbour.

For the first time in 10 years, the 12’s will return to Sydney Harbour proper when the acclaimed Australian versus New Zealand 12ft skiff Interdominion Championship, conducted by the 12ft Skiff Association and hosted by the Australian18 Footers League at Double Bay, is held from 3-10 January, 2015.

Entries close on Monday December 15. Entry, NoR and further information: http://skiff.org.au/events/55th-interdominion-championship/

Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media

Phone: 0410 792 131

Scratch and Handicap Results.

Nick Press and Andrew Stevenson on Sydney Sailmakers are the new State Champions. The pair finished 2nd in yesterdays heat 5, and when heat 6 was abandoned it meant they had done enough to take out the title.

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December 2014

Saturday,

Forecast borderline 2nd and big rig, breeze variable so doubts in the fleet, eventually all rigging for a big-rig Easterly, run-out tide.

Start off Clarkes Point, everyone bunched for boat-end start, the requisite few cowboys barging in from wide: Maersk Line and Madonna causing some mayhem as they extended their rights. Sydney Sailmakers buried, tacked onto port from row 2, into the ebb-tide, along with The Bird and Hey Charger, while Lincoln Crowne and Company, Garde, Skoll and others went into the North.

Working the shifty breeze up to the Manns Point Mark, with lots of crossing-tacks as the bunched fleet sorted their positions. Sydney Sailmakers and Garde already establishing a tidy lead at the first mark rounding, followed by The Bird, Lincoln Crowne, with Bigfoot trapeze Harnesses, Hey Charger on their transoms.

Long run down to Drummoyne, looking for slants of pressure, gybing to stay in the lanes, the order unchanging with the 2 leaders extending further.

Working back up from Drummoyne, tense tussell between Lincoln Crowne and Company, Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses, Skoll and The Bird for 3rd place, this order around Manns Point for the short-leg to the Valentia Street gybe mark, where the skiffs had to drop the spinnakers for the short reach over Clarkes Point then re-hoist for the run to Snappper Island.

Last work back to Manns Point, The 2 leaders well clear of the fleet, with a good gap between Sydney Sailmakers first and Garde in second, rounding Manns Point and a 2-sail reach to the gybe mark at Birchgrove, where they set spinnakers for the run into the Lane Cove River to the finish at the club.

Lincoln Crowne lead the followers, then Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses, The Bird and then Skoll, with Skoll passing The Bird in Humbug.

In the river, 300m form the finish Lincoln Crowne had a comfortable lead over Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses: the latter picked up a pressure shift and moved into 3rd, leaving LCC in their wake, and initiating a gybing duel between the two all down the river to the finish, with LCC getting in front right on the line to take 3rd by 1 second.

Skoll in 4th, then The Bird, then Hey Charger.

Sunday, heats 5 and 6, very shifty East big-rig forecast, shifting around between South-east and East, showing North-east on the flags on the Harbour Bridge, tide running out all day.

Start off Clarkes Point, start delayed 40 minutes with rain-squalls and 90 degree windshifts.

Eventually away, again bunching at the start boat, Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses getting the best of the start, tacking onto port and leading up the middle, followed by Garde to the north, with Sydney Sailmakers again happy to tack onto port  from the boat. The rest of the fleet in a mess on the biased line, all wanting to get into the stream, but buried under starboard tackers.

At Manns Point it was Sydney Sailmakers around first, followed by Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses then Garde then Lincoln Crowne and Company then The Bird.

Sort leg down to the Valentia Street gybe mark, Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses getting low-pressure on the run, allowing Lincoln Crowne and Company to gybe inside at the mark into 3rd, extending slightly on the run to Drummoyne, followed by Skoll and www.skiff.org.au

Patchy and fluky on the work back to Manns Point, saw Garde pull in Sydney Sailmakers near the mark, with  Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses getting ahead of Lincoln Crowne and Company.

From Manns Point the run to the finish off Clarkes Point saw Garde find a pressure line to get through Sydney Sailmakers to take first, with Lincoln Crowne and Company getting no pressure, loosing both 3rd place to Bigfoot Trapeze Harnesses and then being passed for 4th on the finish by www.skiff.org.au, with Skoll 6th.

With Garde winning this heat, there was now the potential for a series tied on points if they could win the last heat: this result would give Garde the regatta for winning the last heat, so it was all to play for in the final race.

The last heat was eventually cancelled and the boats sent home as the weather was deteriorating and thunder storm cells were again threatening, giving the regatta to Sydney Sailmakers.

Lane Cove Race, Saturday 4th October, 2014

Lane Cove, Forecast Big to 2nd rig, blowing 2nd rig on Sydney Harbour, all boats trepidatious about breeze building more through the afternoon on water: the fleet ended up opting for 2nd rig (everyone wanted to be in an even race with the others, no one backing a hunch)

 Scratch start, big shifts in the breeze, pin set way down-river from usual location and run-in tide caught everyone out, all late to the start, Lincoln Crowne and Company (Jonathan Temple & Richard Jones) tragically so, the smarter money like Gemmell Sails (Murray Press & Scott Lanham) and Dimension Polyant Sailcloth (Nick Press & Andrew Stevenson) cutting their losses at the wharf end of the line.

Fortunately for some (particularly LCC), and why no one knows, the race officer called AP just after the start, and brought everyone back to restart.

2nd start, everyone jostling at the pin, tight start between LCC, Gemmell Sails and Dimension Polyant Sailcloth.

All tacking down-river against the tide, looking for patches of pressure in the broken breeze of the river. LCC got the better of this game, extending a 20 m gap to Gemmell Sails in the lead up to the dreaded Humbug: here LCC sneaked into the limbo of Humbug, got a slant of breeze for the beginning of the first spinnaker run to Spectacle Island, and got a 250m gap on the fleet: it was day over after this, the gap too big to surrender.

LCC carried breeze all the way to Spectacle Island, preserving their break for the beginning of the first of 4 works to Manns Point.

In the next positions the Press family battling it out, Gemmell Sails with a small margin on Dimension Polyant Sailcloth, who had a small margin on Vantage Real Estate (Adrienne Cahalan & Brett Phillips), ahead of Skol (Peter Polec & Jamie McCrudden) ahead of The Bird (David Lusty & Glenn Farquhar) , Slippery When Wet (John Williams & Ben Gemmell) and Hey Charger (Nick Bernard & Robbie Polec).

This was the order for the rest of the day, no park-ups or passing lanes until coming back into Humbug.

Here LCC saw their lead cut down by Gemmell Sails bringing new breeze into the river, but LCC were able to hang on with a diminished finishing margin of 1 1/2 minutes ahead of Gemmell Sails, with Dimension Polyant Sailcloth a further 2 minutes behind. This margin gave LCC the handicap double for the day as well.

Download Results.

Port Jackson Championship, Sunday 2nd March , Woollahra.

A rainy, grey and windless day greeted the fleet as they prepared for the regatta onshore.

The race committee called for a postponement onshore as there was no breeze on the course.

The rain came in from the South-east, and with it the forecast 10 knot southeaster. The committee called for a start, and all left the beach out to the start-boat.

The wind had shifted South-east from earlier, presenting a slightly starboard-tack bias out of the start.

Gemmell Sails (Murray Press & Scott Lanham) Lincoln Crowne & Company (Jonathan Temple & Richard Jones) and Garde (Brett Hobson & Brad Philips) all at the boat end away at the front of the fleet, in that order, with Variety (Adam Forbes & Tim Baroughclough), Arrogant Frog (Peter & Steve Hill) & Vantage Real Estate (Jack Winning & Brett Philips) up in the front. Gemmell Sails lead LCC then Variety, Arrogant Frog & Garde around the Rose Bay mark for the run to Chowder Bay. Garde gybed toward Shark Isand earlier, looking for left hand pressure, with a good gap to 4th place, with these 3 taking the easing pressure toward the west shore.

The rest of the fleet went all the way to Steel Point in new pressure from the east, and looked to have the front-runners on the ropes, until 3/4 of the way to the west the east went soft, & Garde got the new south pressure 1st, going right around LCC.

Gemmell Sails had a tidy gap at Chowder Bay, then Garde then LCC, with The Bird (David Lusty & Glen Farquhar) & Vantage Real Estate & Variety coming in with the breeze.

The work to Shark Island rounding mark saw all the boats head for Steel Point, then around Shark Island for the run to Taylor Bay, with Garde rolling over Gemmell Sails to hit the, and LCC still 3rd.

Another South shift on this run kept the front 3 with a gap to the rest of the fleet, to round Taylor Bay in the same order. On this work to Rose Bay, Gemmell Sails split South, Garde & LCC going east. The wind came in very fresh on this work, well out of the range of the big-rig. Gemmell Sails changed gears the best, with fantastic speed through the fresh, gapping both Garde & LCC.

The breeze softened at the top of the work, and fickle shifts up here saw Garde close with Gemmell Sails, to round for the run to Chowder neck & neck.

At Chowder Bay again, for the last work to Rose Bay, the breeze had gone very light and patchy, requiring tacking across the harbour seeking pressure lines.

Garde & Gemmell Sails, still neck & neck, with Gemmell Sails just to the front: Gemmell  put multiple tacks onto Garde, to keep them tucked away & defuse the risk of Garde stretching their legs in the lighter breeze.

This saw Gemmell Sails round the last mark ahead by 50m, to lead Garde on the run to the finish. Lincoln Crowne came in for 3rd, with a group fighting for 4th to 6th. The Bird taking 4th, with Vantage Real Estate taking the pressure off them by picking such a low lay-line to the finish they capsized avoiding a boat. Variety, similarly low, were carted below the finish with their spinnaker and also capsized, allowing www.skiff.org.au (Ben Faulkner & Renn Holland) to pick up Variety’s & Vantage’s places to finish 5th. Handicap went to www.skiff.org.au

Heat Results

Overall Results

Brett Hobson and Brad Phillips from Woollahra Sailing Club wrapped up the Lincoln Crowne NSW 12 Foot Skiff State Championships with a string a consistent results, at Lane Cove 12 foot sailing skiff club at the weekend.

Tight racing and consistent breezes for the final rounds on the Lane Cove courses made for exciting racing, with 3 separate winners to the heats, including a great win for Lane Cove’s Vantage Real Estate, steered by Ben Austin.

Saturday’s race was sailed in a solid Sou-East breeze and was a close fought affair. Brett Hobson’s Garde skiff made the most of a good start and although challenged by Murray Press in Gemmell Sails, took the win.

Sunday held two races in a lighter Easterly breeze. The starts were of an upmost importance as skiffs crowded the start line off Clarke’s Point. The spoils were shared on the day with Jonathan Temple in Lincoln Crowne and Company managing to take the lead at the right time in the race and snare a close win from Garde.

The second race belonged to the local boat, with Vantage Real Estate taking the lead early and managing to hold off the rest of the pack in the tricky conditions.

The final results saw Garde, crewed by Hobson and Brad Phillips, defend the title that they won last year. Second was taken by Gemmell Sailmakers Murray Press and Scott Lanham from Lane Cove and third Lincoln Crowne Jonathon Temple and Richard Jones.

Special thanks to Lincoln Crowne and Co. for their support of the event, along with both Woollahra Sailing Club and Lane Cove Sailing Club and their volunteers.

Heat Results

Current Standings

Heat 1, Woollahra, Saturday 23rd Nov.

Race day, 2 hours before the start-time, awful weather, pouring rain & no breeze.

Rain stopped & with it any vestige of breeze: postponement flag went up and all looked resigned to no-start.

All the skiffs chose the big-rig and sat on the shore awaiting developments.

Signal from the race officer on the course: enough breeze for a start, all scrambling to leave the shore.

Out on the course, surprised to find a nice big-sail North-easter.

Away from a tightly contested start, all the skiffs on the verge of OCS, with Garde (Brett Hobson & Brad Phillips) returning to re-start (unnecessarily as it transpired). Variety (Adam Forbes & Macca Paton) away the best, nervously reviewing start information to see if they were the boat that scored the recall signal. Next was Lincoln Crowne & Company (Jonathan Temple & Richard Jones) mid-line & clear air.

The whole 12 fleet out of the start immediately became embroiled in an Etchell fleet-race, with multiple crossings, dips & circles required for the 2 very different types to extricate themselves from each other’s course, holding up some of the front-runners.

LCC broke from this bunch & obtained a handy lead, which they lost by going East looking for breeze. Also out to the east & in good early placing was Hey Charger (Nick Bernard & Robbie Polec) & Arrogant Frog (Peter & Steve Hill)

The rest of the front-pack went into Chowder Bay & gained a great left-hand shift. This brought Skol (Peter Polec & Jamie McCrudden) first to Beashel Buoy, followed closely by Gemmell Sails (Murray Press & Scott Lanham), then Garde, then Variety followed by LCC, dropped to 5th.

Gybing down to the Shark Is. rounding mark looking for pressure, Garde & Gemmell Sails putting slight gap on the others, maintaining this order to the Clark Is. bottom mark.

On the second work all the leaders other than Variety followed the western shore, Variety going east & this time it paid off, gaining them an impressive early lead on this leg.

Garde however were working their magic, coming back from the restart & ominously heading to put a clincher on the front spot. LCC passed Skol near the Beashel Bouy to round 4th, behind Variety, Gemmell Sails & Garde.

Down the square run in this order, no much change to the margins.

At the bottom mark rounding for the last time  it was Garde, Gemmell Sails, Skol with Variety having a poor drop that  allowed LCC to go through to leeward into 4th.

The last work  saw Garde & Gemmell Sails close & exchanging tacks, with LCC & Variety 80m behind, Skol dropped back 200m into 5th

The breeze freshened for this work, to the top end of big-rig, allowing that boat-handling errors could come into play.

Shorter work to the Gas Buoy off Nielsen Park, Garde hoisted for the run to the finish, followed by Gemmell Sails, then LCC, almost planting it in the bear-away due to operator- error, followed by Variety then Skol, finishing in that order.

Heats 2 & 3, Sunday, 24th Nov.

Forecast south-easterly, 10 knots increasing 15-20 through the day, leaving the rig-choice open between 2nd & third rig. Breeze in early had a few jumpy about the 3rd rig, but sensible heads prevailed & the fleet went 2nd rig.

Start off Shark island for the work up into Rose bay, All the usual suspects away well,

Skol first around, just ahead of Garde then Arrogant Frog well placed, on the long run to Chowder Bay. A Manly ferry split the lead boats mid run, and brought all the skiffs back together, bunched up at the Chowder Bay mark.

Very twitchy & puffy South-Easter, making finding & holding pressure difficult.

Out of Chowder, all the fleet went South to Bradleys Head, Garde 150m ahead of Gemmell Sails, holding like this to the rounding at Shark Island for the run to Taylor Bay.

Garde found better pressure on this run and pulled away from Gemmell sails & Vantage Real Estate (Ben Austin & Brett Phillps).

The front of the fleet all opted to sail South of Shark Island for the work back to the Rose Bay mark, Garde getting through the tricky shifts better than the others & extending the lead, with Vantage Real Estate getting the better of Gemmell Sails to slip into 2nd place.

Run to the finish saw Garde a comfortable win, ahead of Vantage Real Estate second, Gemmell Sails 3rd & Skol 4th.

2nd race, same course, 16 knt breeze.

Off into the race, saw some skiffs opt for the south, with Garde & Vantage Real Estate holding the middle lane, seeing them make a big move away from the pack. Top mark had Garde lead Vantage Real Estate, then www.skiff.org.au (Ben Faulkner & Renn Holland) in a welcome return to form in 3rd, then Skol followed by Lincoln Crowne & Company.

Very shifty on the run, Vantage Real Estate & Garde bolted, with Vantage then suffering a breakage & falling back through the fleet. Lincoln Crowne & Co made big gains on an east pressure line to come through to tie for 2nd with Gemmell Sails. Then, while having to crash gybe to avoid Gemmell Sails, LCC swam, dropping them out of it.

Gemmell Sails trailed Garde by a much reduced margin around the Chowder Bay mark, followed by www.skiff.org  then Madonna (David Winning & Peter Bevis) for the work up to Shark Island mark.

Gemmell Sails hung on, & at the mark rounding Garde made a very uncharacteristic mistake, dropping the mainsheet in the bear-away around the mark & swimming backwards. This let the ever zealous Gemmell Sails through to the lead, which they hung onto doggedly for the rest of the race, to win comfortably from Garde, followed by www.skiff.org.au then Madonna.

Final 3 heats of the Lincoln Crowne & Company 12’ Skiff NSW Championship next weekend at Lane Cove 12’ Skiff Club on the Parramatta River.

There hasnt been much in the way of formal racing at Woollahra as yet.

The club’s annual marathon race (Cock of the Harbour) which was scheduled for the 22nd September was postponed, with the new date yet to be confirmed. With the America’s Cup in full swing at the time, LCC and Garde decided on some matching racing tune ups instead. It was a really nice big rig day, bang on mid range. Typical early season Nor-Easter; not a cloud in the sky.

On the 29th September, the 12 association held a tuning and training day. There were several boats in attendances (some from the river clubs), the breeze again light out of the Nor-Easter, so it was big rigs all round. Brett and Murray were on the rescue/start/coach boat, and got 5 very short windward leeward two lap races away. It was a great opportunity to have a look at some of the boat setups and offer some crew work advise. Nick was also on hand, and spend some time on board the www.skiff.org.au, while Brett jumped on the Citadel for a few races.

Special thanks to Ben Gemmell who gave up several hours of his time in the morning going over the boats with some tune up tips and advice.

This weekend all racing has been cancelled due to the Navy Fleet Review.

The following weekend we are up at Lane Cove on Saturday (12th Oct) for the Upper Harbour Championship, and then into normal club racing on Sunday.

Gemmell Sails, sailed by Nick Press and Andrew Stevenson, have won their second inter dominion championship after completing a very consistent regatta over the last week and with a race to spare.

The win is Nick’s 4th title in a row, and 5th overall.

Garde (Brett Hobson and Brad Phillips) finished second, with kiwi skiff C-Tech Performance (Alex Vallings and Frazer Brown) finishing 3rd.

Australian skiff Madonna sailed by David Winning and Peter Bevis won the  overall Handicap.

More….