18ft Skiffs Commodore Cup

13-Feb-2012
The 18ft Skiffs Commodore Cup was sailed as a twilight race in a 20-knot North East wind, with threatening skies, over a 3-buoys course on Sydney Harbour this evening and resulted in a win for the Rag & Famish Hotel team of Jack Macartney, Mark Kennedy and Peter Harris by 1m18s.

Yandoo, with John Winning, Andrew Hay and Jim Beck on board, finished second.

Australian champions Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas) were a further 10s back in third place.

The Kitchen Maker (David O’Connor) was fourth, ahead of Kenwood-Rabbitohs (Brett Van Munster), Beko (Nick Daly), Mojo Wine (Archie Massey) and Collect (Pedro Vozone).

‘The Rag’ was always near the lead and led the fleet in an exciting dash down the first spinnaker run ahead of Smeg (Nick Press), appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane), Pure Blonde (Tom Clout), Yandoo and Thurlow Fisher Lawyers.

The strong wind took a toll on the fleet with appliancesonline and Kenwood-Rabbitohs both capsizing on the run into the wing mark off Shark Island.

A good battle developed between Rag & Famish Hotel and Smeg on the next beat to the Beashel Buoy where ‘The Rag’ just edged out Smeg.

As the pair raced downwind back to the Clarke Island mark, Smeg capsized and retired with gear damage leaving ‘The Rag’ with a clear lead.

There was a significant drop in the breeze on the final windward leg and Thurlow Fisher Lawyers got to within a few boat lengths of Rag & Famish, but The Rag’s advantage at the final 3-buoys mark was enough for the green machine to kick clear and take the honours.

Yandoo was another to grab the same opportunity and she manager to finish just ahead of the national champions.

One major non starter was Gotta Love It 7.

The team went out early for some practice and broke a wing wire, which also left skipper Seve Jarvin with a badly cut arm. They were “forced” to spend an enjoyable day on the spectator ferry as they watched their main rivals for the Giltinan Championship battle it out in the strong breeze.

Seven images from today’s race are attached, along with the official result sheet.

More images will be published on www.18footers.com.au <http://www.18footers.com.au> and www.flying18s.com <http://www.flying18s.com> .

The President’s Trophy will be sailed at the usual 2.30pm start time on Sunday. The club’s regular spectator ferry will follow the race, leaving Double Bay Wharf alongside the clubhouse and rigging area, at 2.15pm.

The JJ Giltinan Championship, the world’s premier 18ft Skiff regatta, will be sailed on Sydney Harbour from 17-26 February. Approximately 30 teams from USA, New Zealand and UK as well as Australian teams representing NSW, Queensland and Western Australia will contest the 63rd JJ.

Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
For more information:
www.18footers.com.au