Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

18ft Skiffs- 3-Buoys Challenge- Thurlow Fisher Lawyers wins race 5

by Frank Quealey on 17 Nov 2013
Winning style of Thurlow Fisher Lawyers Frank Quealey /Australian 18 Footers League http://www.18footers.com.au
In the 3-Buoys Challenge, Michael Coxon, Dave O’Connor and Daniel Nixon brought Thurlow Fisher Lawyers home as 35 winner of race five on Sydney Harbour Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane, Paul Montague and Tom Anderson) finished in second place, with series leader Lumix (Jonathan Whitty, James Hozack and Aron Everett) a further 1m1s back in third place.

The Kitchen Maker (Josh Mc Knight) was next, followed by Yandoo (John Winning) and Coopers 62-Rag and Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney).

Sydney continued to produce dreadful weather for the event with a heavy rain squall just before the scheduled start, which forced a short postponement.


In a 15-18 knot Southerly, the start was dramatic at both ends of the line as Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) was declared OCS at the pin end while Sydney City Marine (David Witt) and Viagogo (Alexandra South) collided near the start boat.

The ‘7’ team either didn’t notice the recall or ignored it as they powered into the lead on the first windward beat to the 3-buoys.

Gotta Love It 7 continued to lead around the course, but the official race behind the skiff was producing some great racing.


Coopers 62-Rag and Famish Hotel led the fleet down a flying spinnaker leg with appliancesonline.com.au, De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn) and Thurlow Fisher close behind.

Aside from a capsize by De’Longhi-Rabbitohs, the leading three teams held their positions, while The Kitchen Maker led the next group just ahead of Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson), which was one of the few skiffs carrying the big number one rig.

The UK team, led by Rick Peacock, on Haier Appliances were also showing their potential as they were in sixth place just ahead of Rabbitohs-Kenwood (Brett Van Munster), Yandoo and Lumix.


Thurlow Fisher Lawyers established a narrow lead over the second of the 3-lap course as appliancesonline.com.au moved ahead of Coopers 62-Rag and Famish.

While positions didn’t change too much over the final lap, the racing was a great spectacle as the skiffs showed tremendous speed downwind as they raced past the spectator ferry.

The southerly wind made it more like a mid winter day and all competitors were glad to get back into the warmth of the clubhouse.





Race Officer: Doug Cameron        
Finish Placings Recall # Boat Name Finish Time Elapsed Time Handicap Corrected Time Scratch Position  
1 1 THURLOW FISHER LAWYERS 15:50:33 0:55:33 3 0:55:33 1  
2 5 APPLIANCESONLINE.COM.AU 15:51:08 0:56:08 4 0:56:08 2  
3 12 LUMIX 15:52:09 0:57:09 4 0:57:09 3  
4 14 THE KITCHEN MAKER 15:52:20 0:57:20 9 0:57:20 4  
5 2 YANDOO 15:53:41 0:58:41 5 0:58:41 5  
6 6 COOPERS 62-RAG & FAMISH HOTEL 15:53:51 0:58:51 2 0:58:51 6  
7 10 FISHER & PAYKEL 15:53:55 0:58:55 2 0:58:55 7  
8 11 MOJO WINE 15:54:01 0:59:01 1 0:59:01 8  
9 15 HAIER APPLIANCES 15:55:30 1:00:30 3 1:00:30 9  
10 4 DE’LONGHI-RABBITOHS 15:56:22 1:01:22 8 1:01:22 10  
11 3 ASKO APPLIANCES 15:57:21 1:02:21 5 1:02:21 11  
12 8 SMEG 15:58:12 1:03:12 1 1:03:12 12  
13 13 RABBITOHS-KENWOOD 15:59:09 1:04:09 8 1:04:09 13  
14 19 SOUTHERN CROSS 16:01:50 1:06:50 10 1:06:50 14  
15 17 TEAM PEDRO 16:06:33 1:11:33 10 1:11:33 15  
ABS2026_Sail World_1456x180-4 BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

49th Palamós Christmas Race Day 1
No wind for the opening day in Girona Sailing is a sport that depends entirely on weather conditions, the sea and, above all, the wind. This was clearly demonstrated on the opening day as the fleet was unable to get out on the water due to a complete lack of wind.
Posted today at 4:02 pm
Early entry discount ends soon
For the International Optimist Regatta, TOTE Clinic & TOTE Team Race Entry is open for the 33rd International Optimist Regatta (IOR). The IOR, TOTE Clinic, and the TOTE Team Race will take place June 14-21, 2026, at the St. Thomas Yacht Club.
Posted today at 3:19 pm
Fees Increase Saturday for Newport Bermuda Race
Momentum continues to build with 130 boats already entered—and counting This is a final reminder for those still considering the 2026 Bermuda Race—early registration discounts end Saturday, December 20, 2025. After that date, entry fees will increase, and cancellation fees will also rise.
Posted today at 2:11 pm
Under the Skin of Argo
How a MOD70 Is Prepared to Race the Atlantic Have there been any major structural or systems checks as part of bringing Argo back to race-ready condition for the Transat?
Posted today at 1:27 pm
Blistering Jules Verne Trophy start for Sodebo
Mainsail hook hampers The Famous Project CIC The Ultim Trimaran Sodebo, with Skipper Thomas Coville and his team, started their Jules Verne Trophy round the world record attempt on the evening of 15th December 2025, and have made an incredible start as they head down the Atlantic.
Posted today at 11:50 am
The Allen Hardware Handbook – 2025 Recap Issue
Behind-the-scenes engineering, and updates from the wider Allen sailing community Behind-the-scenes engineering, and updates from the wider Allen sailing community, including new and specialist hardware developments, insights into boats and classes using Allen gear, and the latest news from our Team Allen sailors.
Posted today at 9:00 am
Going where few dare
Clipper Race sailors conquer the Roaring Forties After battling the conditions faced in the Roaring Forties, the ten teams competing in the Clipper 2025-26 Race have arrived into Fremantle, Australia.
Posted today at 5:20 am
Mini Globe Race headling home and into history!
The final leg to Antigua begins December 28th Five years spent wondering about this Southern Ocean challenge. 1000 miles of unpredictable fast changing weather swirling around the Cape of Good Hope, mixing with the ship breaking Agulhas current. Would they survive? Could they even get through?
Posted today at 4:45 am
Emirates Team NZ: Kiwis hard at two-boat training
The Hauraki Gulf has become the stage for high-intensity internal competition As 2025 draws to a close, Emirates Team NZ are not winding down for the holidays just yet. Instead, the Hauraki Gulf has become the stage for high-intensity internal competition, with the team maximising their time on the water.
Posted today at 2:35 am
Palm Beach XI Christened in Sydney
A Legend Reborn for The 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race After an extraordinary five-month sprint, Mark Richards and his team are nearing completion of a transformation few would attempt on a yacht of this pedigree.
Posted on 18 Dec