Posts tagged 18-foot skiffs

OLD GUYS RULE

Thursday
Feb 21
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

18 FOOTERS – RACE #5 – The Rag’s forward hand David Witt, who is one of the sport’s great characters, wasn’t short of a comment after the race:

“Did you notice how the top three teams were all the older guys in the fleet. The younger generation will have to toughen up”, he quipped tongue in cheek.

A rig choice in the park at Double Bay was critical to the Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel’s victory in Race 5 of the Winning Group 2013 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today. With the breeze on the edge of the #1 and #2 rigs, the teams electing to go for the bigger rigs won the day as they filled four of the top five placings.

Jack Macartney, David Witt and Mark Kennedy took the honours in Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel by just 18s from Smeg (Nick Press, Dan Phillips, Dave Ewings). John Winning, Andrew Hay and Jim Beck had their best result of the championship when they brought Yandoo home in third place, 1m16s behind Smeg. Allowing for each skiff discarding her worst performance in the regatta, Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel joins Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin), which was placed fourth today using the smaller #2 rig.

Top visitor in today’s race was New Zealand’s Yamaha (David McDiarmid) in fifth place, followed by Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane). Gotta Love It 7 and Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel each have a total of 8 points after discard, followed by Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) on 14, Smeg 17 and New Zealand’s C-Tech (Alex Vallings), also on 17.

Thurlow Fisher Lawyers got a ‘flyer’ at the start and was 22s ahead of Coopers-Rag & Famish at the windward mark. Brisbane 18 Footers (Daniel Jack) was in third spot, ahead of Lumix (Jonathan Whitty), ASCC (Murray England, New Zealand) and Appliancesonline.com.au. After a bad start Gotta Love It 7 was well back in the fleet.

Thurlow Fisher and ‘The Rag’ had a great battle downwind, then on the work back to Clarke Island, where Thurlow Fisher had increased her lead to 30s. Appliancesonline was now third but Smeg was beginning to move up ahead of Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones), Gotta Love It 7, Yandoo and Pica (James Mears, UK). The Rag’s bigger sail again came to the fore on the reach into Chowder Bay where the two boats rounded together for the beat across the harbour into Rose Bay.

With Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel holding a narrow lead over Thurlow Fisher Lawyers as the pair set spinnakers for the run back across the harbour to Taylor Bay, Thurlow’s race fell apart when skipper Michael Coxon fell overboard. The incident is a massive setback to the team, which was previously only two points from the lead going into today’s race. Over the final legs of the course, Smeg put out a strong challenge to The Rag but the experience on board the Rag covered Smeg’s every move in a great finish.

Race 6 on Saturday starts at 4pm and Race 7 on Sunday at 3pm. The spectator ferry leaves Double Bay Wharf 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each race. There will also be two ferries for Race 7 on Sunday.

Live Tracking:
http://www.tractrac.com/index.php?page=eventpage&id=274

Video Coverage and ‘Pick-the-Podium’:
www.jj18footerstv.com <http://www.jj18footerstv.com>

For all official race results, race reports and photographs:
www.18footers.com.au <http://www.18footers.com.au>

Coverage is also available at www.18skiff.com <http://www.18skiff.com>

2013 JJ GILTINAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP

Monday
Feb 18
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

18FT TAKE DOWN

18ft SKIFFS - The 18ft Skiffs are noted for their dramatic nature and today’s Race 2 of the Winning Group 2013 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour didn’t let supporters down.

While Mojo Wine, skippered by two times Australian 16 Footer champion James Dorron, took line honours, the 18s rookie skipper and his crew of Ricky Bridges and Mike McKensey were totally dismayed when they failed to get the judge’s verdict as they crossed the line.

The team had sailed the entire course not knowing they had been recalled for an on course start.

With Mojo Wine being declared a non-starter, race honours went to the Thurlow Fisher Lawyers crew of Michael Coxon, Trent Barnabas and Dave O’Connor, who took the official result by 22s from first race winner and defending champion Gotta Love It 7.

Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Scott Babbage, Peter Harris) held a narrow advantage over Thurlow Fisher at the final windward mark but could not hold off the Thurlow Fisher burst on the spinnaker run home.

Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney, Dave Witt, Mark Kennedy) finished a further 57s back in third place, ahead of Smeg (Nick Press), C-Tech (Alex Vallings) and Events Clothing (Riley Dean).

Gotta Love It leads the points tally on 3 points after the first two races, followed by Turlow Fisher Lawyers and Coopers-Rag & Famish each on 5 points.

New Zealand’s C-Tech heads the visiting teams on 11 points, followed by Smeg on 13 and Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane) and USA’s Howie Hamlin (CST Composites) both on 15 points.

Yamaha (David McDiarmin, New Zealand) was among the leaders after the start but Mojo Wine’s crew sailed superbly in the 8-knot ENE breeze to hold a 35s margin over Thurlow Fisher Lawyers at the windward mark.

UK’s Pica (James Mears) was in third place ahead of Team Daly (Nick Daly), Events Clothing, C-Tech and Gotta Love It 7, which was 2½m from the lead.

Alexandra South and her all-girl crew on Lomax Financial Group were also well in contention as they held 10^th place as spinnakers were set for the run back to the leeward mark.

A four lap windward-leeward course had been set and at the end of the first lap there was very little separating the first four skiffs with Mojo Wine just ahead of Events Clothing, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Pica.

Team Daly was also extremely fast downwind and was a nearby fifth.

On the next lap, Team Daly edged out her more fancied opposition to lead as the fleet approached the leeward mark.

When the skiff hit a wave and slowed dramatically, she was hit by another craft following the race and the resulting damage to her transom forced the skiff to retire.

The shifty nature of the breeze caused numerous place changes throughout the race.

With large crowds following today’s race it looked more like the final Sunday of the championship than the first weekend.

No team has looked dominant and the week ahead may produce one of the best finishes seen at a Giltinan Championship for many years.

Today’s result sheet and seven photos are attached.

Spectator ferries will follow each of the races in the championship, leaving Double Bay Wharf at 2.30pm, with the exception of Race 6 (Saturday 23 February), when the ferry will leave at 3.30pm.

Race 3 will be sailed on Tuesday with further races on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 24 February.

Posted in Article - Tagged 18-fott skiff Australian Championship, sailing, sailing news

AUSTRALIAN 18 ft LEAGUE

Monday
Feb 11
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

18 ft crash

18ft SKIFFS - The Thurlow Fisher Lawyers 18ft Skiff team of Michael Coxon, Trent Barnabas and David O’Connor gave a wonderful exhibition on Sydney Harbour today when they took out Race 4 of the N.S.W. Championship in an 18-25-knots South-East wind.

After trailing Gotta Love It 7 by just 3s at the first windward mark, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers grabbed the lead when Gotta Love It 7 capsized and from that point Thurlow’s crew were brilliant as they led clearly for the rest of the course.

The battle behind the winner saw many positional changes throughout the race before Smeg (Nick Press, Dan Phillips, Dave Ewings) finally came home 1m25s back in second place.

Pure Blonde (Tom Clout, Rob Bell, Matt Wark) worked her way through the fleet, after trailing early, to finish a further 5m9s in third place.

James Dorron and his Mojo Wine team showed their skill by finishing fourth after gear failure which prevented their use of a spinnaker on two of the latter runs.

John Winning’s Yandoo was fifth, to give the team the series lead on 16 points.

Overall standings has Smeg in second place on 18, followed by Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) on 29, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers 31, Pure Blonde 34, Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney) and Mojo Wine on 35.

Thurlow Fisher and De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn) won the start and were leading the group on the LHS of the course near Steele Point.

Gotta Love It 7 and Smeg elected to go to the right and sailed to the western side of Shark Island.

The two groups converged only 50 metres from the Rose Bay windward mark and there was little difference between them as Gotta Love It 7 led Thurlow Fisher Lawyers by the mere 3s.

Shortly after rounding the mark, Gotta Love It 7 capsized and the resulting damage has caused serious damage to the hull, which could have a drastic affect on the team’s chances of defending their Giltinan title next week.

The conditions were took a heavy toll on the race as six teams failed to complete the course, while four others did not make it to the start.

Frank Quealey

Australian 18 Footers League

Posted in Article, Racing - Tagged 18 ft Skiff International Regatta, sailing, sailing news

THREE-WAY BATTLE FOR NATIONAL TITLE IN 18s

Friday
Feb 01
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

18 skiff 2

18ft SKIFFS - Sunday’s final race of the 2012-2013 Australian 18ft Skiff Championship should produce a great finale to the series with three teams separated by only two points and the possibility of the final result being decided on a count back.

Defending champion Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, Trent Barnabas, Dave O’Connor) is on 5 points and holds a one point lead over Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Scott Babbage, Peter Harris), but also holds the advantage of two wins so far to none by Gotta Love It 7.

Smeg (Nick Press, Dan Phillips, Dave Ewings), after two wins last weekend, is now just two points behind Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, in third place.

To complicate the positions, Smeg also has two wins so far in the championship, which could be critical in any count back situation.

The race should not only be a great finish to the championship, but it will also be a great pointer to the chances of these teams as we get closer to the Giltinan Championship, which begins on Sydney Harbour in two weeks.

A fleet of 33 skiffs have entered for the Giltinan 2013.

The Australian 18 Footers League will soon be announcing the extensive coverage which will be available throughout the Giltinan.

The club’s usual spectator ferry will follow this Sunday’s final race in the Nationals as well as all heats of the Giltinan Championship.

Posted in Article, Races - Tagged 18ft Skiffs Australian Championship, sailing, sailing news

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, RACE 1

Monday
Jan 14
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

aus 18

18ft SKIFFS – Defending champion Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, skippered by Michael Coxon, led all the way in a variable South East breeze to take out Race 1 of the 2012-2013 Australian 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today.

Coxon with his team of Dave O’Connor and Trent Barnabas took the lead soon after the start and were never headed over the long SE course to defeat arch rival Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Scott Babbage, Peter Harris) by 19s.

Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney, David Witt, Mark Kennedy), challenged the leaders throughout the entire course before finishing a further 50s back in third place.

Former Australian champion Micah Lane was fourth on Appliancesonline.com.au, followed by Lumix (Jonathan Whitty) with the revolutionary wing mast and Yandoo, skippered by John Winning.

On a day which provided all teams with plenty of headaches, the Thurlow Fisher Lawyers crew were in control from the outset and led by 50s at the first windward mark.

Despite variations in wind direction and strength, the Thurlow Fisher Lawyers lead was never less than 30s and the final margin was more a reflection of Coxon’s conservative covering tactics.

After the race Coxon was very happy with the performance under the trying conditions:

“We got a good start and I was particularly pleased with our boat speed”.

“Added to that, our crew work was excellent under some difficult conditions and it was a great way to start the championship”.

“Heavy ferry traffic and the changing wind conditions made life difficult, but once we were in the lead we were more concerned with covering our challengers”.

Lumix was second behind Thurlow Fisher at the first mark, with Southern Engineering Services (Adam Barnes), De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn), Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel, Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) and Yandoo in a group just behind Lumix.

A fast spinnaker run by Smeg (Trevor Barnabas), Team Daly (Nick Daly) and Gotta Love It 7 saw that trio feature in the top six at the bottom mark.

The windward leg back to the Clark Island mark saw a massive wind shift with many placings changing dramatically.

Thurlow Fisher’s lead was back to 35s as Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel moved up into second place ahead of Smeg and Gotta Love It 7.

Lumix was caught on the “wrong side” of the course and lost several places.

The spinnaker run to Chowder Bay took a toll on the fleet as Smeg and Mojo Wine (Matt Searle) capsized and only quick crew work by Malcolm Page and his team on The Kitchen Maker saved a capsize when they received bad air from a passing ferry.

Over the latter stages of the race, the weather closed in and spectators were treated to the unusual site of watching the two leaders come to the finish in misty conditions.

Congratulations to Adam Barnes and his crew on showing their best form since joining the 18s when they took out the handicap section of the race in Southern Engineering Services.

Posted in Article, Races - Tagged 18-fott skiff Australian Championship, austrailian 18ft skiffs, sailing

AEG 3-BUOYS CHALLENGE, RACE 7

Monday
Dec 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

18ft SKIFFS - Jonathan Whitty’s Panasonic-sponsored Lumix became the seventh winner from as many races in the series when she won Race 7 of the 18ft Skiffs AEG 3-Buoys Challenge on Sydney Harbour today.

After a moderate start, Whitty and his Lumix team of James Hozack and Archie Massey moved through the fleet to take the lead on the second lap of the four-lap windward-leeward course.

Lumix crossed the finish line 39s ahead of second placed Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones, Ash Rooklyn and Geronimo Harrison), with De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn, Keegan York and James Smithers) just 7s back in third place.

With the last race of the Challenge to be sailed next Sunday, Pure Blonde (Tom Clout, Rob Bell and Matt Wark) leads the points on 28, followed by Asko Appliances on 33, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) on 34, Mojo Wine (James Dorron) 37, Fisher & Paykel (Andrew Chapman) 40 and Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) 43.

Today’s race was sailed in a moderate SE breeze with the fleet split between the choice of #1 and #2 rigs.

The start played a critical part in the race as three teams were disqualified for OCSs, while three others returned “just in case”

Biggest loser from the incident was Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney) which sailed on in the race oblivious of being disqualified.

The Rag actually led the race for the first two laps before crossing the finish line in seemingly second place.

There was little hard work on the windward legs and the entire race took just 46m58s to complete.

Thurlow Fisher Lawyers took an early lead from Gotta Love It 7, which recovered brilliantly after going back at the start.

Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel took advantage of the red buoy rounding to lead Haier Appliances (Pedro Vozone), Lomax Financial Group (Alexandra South) and Thurlow Fisher Lawyers as spinnakers were set for the run back to the bottom mark.

The Rag continued to lead the fleet over the second lap of the course although Lumix had reduced the margin to just 15s.

Third place was held by The Kitchen Maker, being sailed today by Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Wilmot, who was replacing another Olympic Gold Medalist Malcolm Page.

Asko Appliances, De’Longhi-Rabbitohs, Haier Appliances, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, Smeg (Nick Press) and Pure Blonde were in a group which produced some exciting downwind racing.

While Lumix’s win was clear cut, the race behind her saw seven boats finish within the next minute

The series has achieved the desired result of producing close racing and seven winners from seven races is proof of its success.

An interesting sidelight to the race today was the performance of Brisbane boat Winning Appliances (Shane Smith) which took line honours although only competing by invitation.

Posted in Article, Races - Tagged AEG 3-BUOYS CHALLENGE, sailing

GOTTA LOVE IT 7 WINS

Monday
Nov 12
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

18ft SKIFFS – Pre race favourite Gotta Love It 7 took out Race 1 of the NSW 18ft Skiff Championship by 1m58s on Sydney Harbour today, but the win was far from as easy as the margin indicates.

The Gotta Love It 7 team of Seve Jarvin, Scott Babbage and Peter Harris took full advantage of a mark rounding error by Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) to grab victory only in the final stages of the race.

Second placed today was Pure Blonde (Tom Clout, Matt Wark and Rob Bell), with Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane, Paul Montague and Tom Anderson) a further 22s back in third place.

John Winning’s Yandoo was fourth, followed by Rabbitohs-Kenwood (Brett Van Munster) and Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) in sixth place.

Results are provisional at this time as Pure Blonde has lodged a protest against Gotta Love It 7 for a breach of the port & starboard rule.

The race was sailed in a typical light Easterly breeze which varied in strength and direction throughout the course.

Pure Blonde won the start at the boat end of the line but Thurlow Fisher Lawyers was soon challenging for the lead as the fleet headed for the first windward mark in Rose Bay.

Thurlow Fisher Lawyers crew work was excellent as they picked the shifts to lead Appliancesonline.com.au by 10s as spinnakers were set for the run to the wing mark off Clarke Island.

Yandoo was another 10s behind Appliancesonline, with Mojo Wine (James Dorron), Rabbitohs-Kenwood (Brett Van Munster) and Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney) heading the rest of the fleet.

It was all Thurlow Fisher Lawyers on the spinnaker legs back to the bottom mark off Kurraba Point where her lead had extended well beyond one minute.

There was some confusion in the crew on which way to round the mark and it took two attempts for them to make sure.

A lack of wind affected the chasers as several skiffs began to bunch up behind Thurlow Fisher.

Mojo Wine finally moved into second position to start the next windward leg, ahead of Appliancesonline, Yandoo, Pure Blonde, Kenwood-Rabbitohs, Asko Appliances, Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel and Gotta Love It 7.

In the variable conditions, there was a wide spread of the fleet across the harbour as the fleet made its way back into Rose Bay.

Conditions took a toll on several teams while others benefitted from taking the correct course.

It made little difference to Thurlow Fisher Lawyers as she continued to set the pace from Pure Blonde, Appliancesonline, Gotta Love It 7, Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel, Smeg (Nick Press) and Asko Appliances.

The leading group opted for a variety of courses downwind and Thurlow Fisher Lawyers approached the bottom mark in a seemingly winning position.

To the amazement of spectators, the Thurlow Fisher crew incorrectly went around the mark on a port tack.

By the time the crew realized the it was too late and Thurlow Fisher elected to retire.

The Gotta Love It 7 crew took full advantage of the Thurlow Fisher error and sailed superbly over the concluding two legs of the course for an ultimately easy win.

There were many close finishes amongst the top 10 skiffs as the breeze freshened a little.

Posted in Article - Tagged GOTTA LOVE IT 7, International 18 ft Skiff, sailing

THE FIRST IN 100 YEARS!

Friday
Sep 07
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

18 FOOT SKIFF NEWS - When Alexandra (Alex) South becomes the latest skipper to join the Australian 18 Footers League fleet for the 2012-2013 18ft Skiff season on Sydney Harbour she will create history and a lot of interest and attention when the season gets under way on 14 October.

19-years-old Alex is not only a highly talented sailor with impressive local and international records, but she also creates history in the century-old class as she becomes the first daughter of a former Giltinan champion father to skipper an 18ft Skiff.

Her father, Adam South is a two-times Giltinan (world) 18ft Skiff champion and currently a coach in the 18s as well as coaching with the Double Bay Sailing Club.

Alex has been a Member of the Australian Sailing Squad since 2008, has been a Silver Scholarship holder, NSW Institute of Sport since 2009 and was a Finalist in Yachting Australia Female Sailor of the Year 2010, 2011.

She was placed second in the Laser Radial Australian Olympic Trials for London 2012 and has been the National Champion on six occasions between 2006 and 2012. She attended her first World Laser Radial Championship in 2008 at the age of 14 years.

In 2011, Alex won the World Under-19 Laser Radial Championship and was second ranked in the Under 21 section. She also won the silver medal at the World University Games.

Alex realizes the challenge ahead, but is looking forward to her first season in the 18s.

“I’ve got the best support possible. Dad being a two-time JJ champion is really helping me make the transition from Olympic sailing to skiff sailing”.

“It’s definitely a big change. From a Laser, where I’m managing myself and the logistics of one boat (with arguably minimal rigging and boat work) to three people, two rigs, a bigger boat and a massive trailer”

“Dad also coaches Lumix, skippered by Jonathan Whitty, and previously coached Andy Budgen’s Project One, so I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time watching all the different courses and seeing a few of the danger spots”.

“I’m not looking forward to getting over the top of Shark Island in a fresh Nor’easterly”.

Adam, who was for’ard hand in the champion ‘Chesty Bond’ team which won the 1987 and 1988 Giltinan Championships, believes (as a coach) that Alex has all the attributes to successfully campaign an 18ft Skiff.

He added: “As her dad, I’m very proud of her ambitions”.

“It’s also very exciting to welcome a female skipper back to the class. Over my 30+ years of association with the 18ft Skiffs, Alex ranks now as one of only four female skippers to attempt the 18s challenge”.

Alex added: “Dad and I talk about all the aspects of the campaign and try to see the best way we can approach situations in my rookie year”.

“We have to factor a lot into the campaign, like being lighter than other crews, but we try to compensate for these short comings in other ways”.

Alex concludes: “I’ve grown up hearing the stories of the 18s days and I’m looking forward to having some of my own after this season … because I know all of dad’s off by heart (laughs)”.

Alex is due to announce her team shortly and their first event will be Race One of the $10,000 3-Buoys Challenge Series on 14 October.

Posted in News, Racing - Tagged sailing

NESPRESSO INTERNATIONAL 18 SKIFF REGATTA THIS WEEK!

Monday
Aug 27
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

SKIFF NEWS – Are all the cool boats on the bay this week? First the AC45′s, then Hydroptere and now the very fast 18 foot skiffs will start racing and crown the winner this week at the St. Francis YC. For race details go HERE

Posted in Photos, Racing - Tagged 18 FOOTER, sailing, skiff sailing

18ft Skiff Sailor Andrew Chapman Will Compete in 29er World’s

Monday
Jul 09
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

SAILING NEWS – 18ft Skiff skipper/sail maker Andrew Chapman (Fisher & Paykel) is never one to ‘rest on his laurels’ with anything sailing so it’s not surprising to see him take on another project during the Australian off-season.

Although he will be building new sails for Smeg and Kenwood-Rabbitohs, as well as his own Fisher & Paykel skiff, he is competing with Jessica Hansen in the 2012 29er World Championship at Travemunde, Germany from 22-28 July.

Andrew is Youth Sailing Team coach for Yachting NSW and 19-year-old Jessica, of Southport YC, Queensland, an experienced up-and-coming young sailor.

Chapman is a former Australian champion in both the F11 and Cherub classes as well as 12ft Skiff Junior champion in 2006.

Hansen is an Australian Womens Match Racing champion with extensive competition in the 29ers and offshore racing (as helm & bow) over the past three years.

Jessica has packed many other classes into her 19 years. These include Sabots, B14, Optimist, 420, 470, Sailboard, Hobie 16, Nacra 5.8, 29erXX, Moth, Etchel, and more.

She was also 2011-2012 team coach for NNSW at the Sabot nationals.

Andrew said: “We haven’t done much sailing together, but we are both looking forward to the challenge of competing against around 200 boats in the event”.

For Jess: “It’s a rare opportunity and I am super excited for the experience”.

During the recent 2011-2012 Australian season, Jessica got a taste of sailing an 18ft Skiff when she joined Andrew and the crew of Fisher & Paykel in the annual Queen of the Harbour race on Sydney Harbour.

After competing as crew throughout the race, Andrew handed over the helm to Jessica after crossing the finish line and Jessica showed her class by steering the skiff home to Double Bay under the big #1 rig.

Andrew’s next 18ft Skiff event will be on 14 October when he skippers Fisher & Paykel in Race 1 of the $10,000 3-Buoys Challenge at the Australian 18 Footers League.

Who knows, maybe we get to see Jessica back in an 18 at some time in the future, but in the meantime we wish them good luck at the 29er Worlds later this month.

Posted in Article - Tagged 29er Sailing

Queen of the Harbor

Tuesday
Mar 13
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

18 FT SKIFFS – Christina Giles became the 2012 18ft Skiff Queen of the Harbour when she teamed with Brett Van Munster, Shaun Moran and Rob Flannigan on Kenwood-Rabbbitohs to win the title on Sydney Harbour today.

Kenwood-Rabbitohs took line honours by 1m40s from Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney, Peter Harris, Mark Kennedy and Diane Macartney). Mojo Wine (Warren Sare, Dan Wilsdon, Mike O’Shea and Emma Spiers) were a further 54s back in third place.

Conditions were perfect for the ladies. A big sail 5-10-knot ENE breeze over a 3-laps 3-buoys course between Taylors Bay and Watsons Bay.

Lumix (Jonathan Whitty) led the fleet to the first mark from De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn), Kenwood-Rabbitohs, Mojo Wine, Rag & Famish and Pure Blonde (Tom Clout).

The downwind leg back to the bottom twin-marks saw Lumix challenged by Kenwood-Rabbitohs while Pure Blonde led a tightly bunched group including Mojo Wine, De’Longhi-Rabbitohs, Smeg (Nick Press) and Rag & Famish.

On the second lap Lumix raced away to a 45s lead over Kenwood-Rabbitohs, Mojo Wine and Rag & Famish and looked a certain winner as the fleet headed back downwind.

As the skiff gybed off Steele Point they capsized and the race became a battle between Kenwood-Rabbitohs and Rag & Famish, which went around the bottom round only a couple of boatlengths apart.

Mojo Wine was third, followed by Pure Blonde, De’Longhi-Rabbitohs and Lumix.

Taking advantage of a red windward buoy rounding on the final lap, Kenwood-Rabbitohs increased her lead to finish with an easy victory.

It was an excellent result all round for the Kenwood company as today’s winner Christina Giles is also the National Sales Co-ordinator for Kenwood.

Posted in Article

Flying 18s Race 4

Wednesday
Feb 22
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

HOTLINK – Defending champions Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage tightened their grip on the 2012 Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship crown in Gotta Love It 7 when they absolutely destroyed the fleet in an awesome performance on Sydney Harbour today. The team scored their third win from the four races sailed so far in the regatta and did it in such a manner that the winning margin was an incredible 5m2s in the 8-12-knot SE breeze. Archie Massey, Dan Wilsdon and Mike McKensey finished second in Mojo Wine, a further 2m14s ahead of the third placed Smeg (Nick Press, Dan Phillips and Dave Ewings). Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane) was fourth, ahead of Yandoo (John Winning) and Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney). Race 3 winner Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) failed to reproduce her previous boat speed and finished seventh more than 8½ minutes from the winner. MORE STORY

Posted in Article - Tagged International 18 ft Skiff, International 18 ft Skiff Regatta

Flying 18s

Monday
Feb 20
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

RACE NEWS – Defending champion Gotta Love It 7 team of Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage totally dominated Race 2 of the 2012 Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship to score an easy all-the-way win over Thurlow Fisher Lawyers on Sydney Harbour today. After leading by nearly two minutes at the final windward mark, Gotta Love It 7 cruised home to defeat Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas) by 1m19s. Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane, Paul Montague and Tom Anderson) was a further 2m3s back in third place.

Top international boat today was C-Tech (Alex Vallings) which came home fourth, ahead of Mojo Wine (Archie Massey) and Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney).

Gotta Love It 7 heads the points table on 2 points, followed by Mojo Wine and Appliancesonline.com.au on 7, Rag & Famish Hotel on 9, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers on 11 and Smeg (Nick Press) on 15. All teams carried their big rigs in the 10-15 knot North East breeze.

Gotta Love It 7 was soon in front and it wasn’t too long before the champion crew had their skiff powering away from the rest of the fleet.

Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Rag & Famish Hotel trailed ‘7’ at the Beashel Buoy with De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn) and C-Tech leading a tightly bunched fleet behind the leading group.

Rag & Famish had some gear problems on the spinnaker run past the wing mark at Shark Island to the bottom mark at Clarke Island and dropped back to seventh on the second work to the Beashel Buoy. Gotta Love It 7 had already extended her lead to more than one minute while Thurlow Fisher Lawyers was holding a comfortable second position.

Most spectator interest centred on the battle for third place and once again it was tight with Mojo, C-Tech, Appliancesonline, Kenwood-Rabbitohs (Brett Van Munster) and Rag & Famish Hotel most in contention. Two great battles developed over the final lap of the course.

Appliancesonline and C-Tech raced head-to-head for third and fourth placings while Mojo Wine and Rag & Famish Hotel did the same for fifth and sixth.

John Winning’s horror start to the regatta in Yandoo continued today when the Yandoo team were forced to retire after a collision with another competitor. Today’s incident is subject to protest and follows a pre race centerboard problem which saw Yandoo miss her start by three minutes yesterday. Ironically, both incident occurred less than 100 metres apart. To check out the videos CLICK HERE

Posted in Article - Tagged 18 ft Skiff International Regatta, flying 18s

Trapeze Men of 1952

Wednesday
Feb 08
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

SAILING – Some history of the 18 ft skiff. This is a photo of ‘Intrigue’. They made a sensational breakthrough as the first trapeze men to become the two-time winners of the championship in the 1952 and 1954 events. Pretty radical for 1954!

Posted in Article

18 Feet of Fun

Tuesday
Jan 24
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

MOVING PICTURES – After two heats of this important series leading into the JJ Giltinan Thurlow is on 2 points to Smeg on 5 points and Gotta Luv it on 10 points with heat 3 to be sailed on Thursday 26th Australia Day.

Posted in Moving Pictures

Rag & Famish Workin’ the “Small Big Rig”

Monday
Jan 09
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

MOVING PICTURES – Rag & Famish’s all the way victory sets up crew Jack McCartney helm, Mark Kennedy main, and Big Pete Harris bow for their next challenge,
the Australian Championship 5 race series starting next Sunday….. Rag & Famish made the correct calls all day.

Posted in Moving Pictures

Mark It!

Thursday
Dec 29
2011 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

MOVING PICTURES – Promo video of the – Mark Foy Regatta 2012 – 18 Foot Skiffs – 52nd Interdoms – 12 Foot Skiffs.

Posted in Moving Pictures - Tagged Mark Foy Regatta

Light Winds Forces Race 4 Abandonment in NSW Championship

Tuesday
Dec 13
2011 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

HOTLINK – Unbelievably bad wind conditions for the early part of the Australian summer season continued today on Sydney Harbour when Race 4 of the NSW Championship had to be abandoned when no boat could complete the course within the three hours sailing time allowed under the regatta rules. More here.

Posted in Article - Tagged NSW Championship

18-Footers in Brisbane

Tuesday
Nov 29
2011 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

MOVING PICTURES
Always cool to watch on-board footage of the 18-footers. Here’s a promo video for the Brisbane 18-Foot skiff fleet.

Posted in Moving Pictures

Too Much Breeze at the N.S.W. Championship

Monday
Nov 21
2011 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

MOVING PICTURES
Unpredictable wind conditions on Sydney Harbour at the N.S.W. Championship, Race 1.

Posted in Moving Pictures

Posts tagged 18-foot skiffs

OLD GUYS RULE

2013 JJ GILTINAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP

AUSTRALIAN 18 ft LEAGUE

THREE-WAY BATTLE FOR NATIONAL TITLE IN 18s

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, RACE 1

AEG 3-BUOYS CHALLENGE, RACE 7

GOTTA LOVE IT 7 WINS

THE FIRST IN 100 YEARS!

NESPRESSO INTERNATIONAL 18 SKIFF REGATTA THIS WEEK!

18ft Skiff Sailor Andrew Chapman Will Compete in 29er World’s

Queen of the Harbor

Flying 18s Race 4

Flying 18s

Trapeze Men of 1952

18 Feet of Fun

Rag & Famish Workin’ the “Small Big Rig”

Mark It!

Light Winds Forces Race 4 Abandonment in NSW Championship

18-Footers in Brisbane

Too Much Breeze at the N.S.W. Championship

Enter the Border Run

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