Casio leads Ssangyong JJ Giltinan

by Frank Quealey on 19 Feb 2006 Defending champions Euan Mc Nicol, Seve Jarvin and Tim Austin came from behind to take out Race 2 of the Ssangyong Giltinan International Championship on Sydney Harbour on Sunday.

Sailing their skiff Club Marine, the trio only grabbed the lead at the final rounding mark before going on to victory over the series leader Casio Seapathfinder, sailed by Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Nathan Ellis.

Following their second placings in both races over the weekend, the Casio team leads the pointscore with a total of 4 points, followed by New Zealand's CT Sailbattens (Phil Airey) on 6 points, Club Marine 7 and a trio of Pegasus Racing (Howie Hamlin USA), Asko Appliances (Hugh Stodart Aust) and Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris Aust) all on 9 points.

At the start a light Easterly prevailed and soon the fleet split into three groups.

In typical Easterly fashion, placings changed regularly on the windward leg but AAPT's decision to keep left was proven to be best when she led the fleet off Double Bay.

At the Rose Bay mark AAPT led by 25secs from CT Sailbattens, Casio and Rag & Famish. Asko was back in fifth place - 40secs from the lead.

The breeze got even lighter as the fleet approached the wing mark off Clarke Island.

AAPT continued to lead although Rag & Famish had reduced the margin to around 15secs. Casio was third, followed by CT and Omega Smeg, which had made up several positions on the downwind legs.

Placings changed throughout the work back to the Rose Bay mark.

CT took the lead from AAPT off Clarke Island then Rag & Famish took over after a strong move on the left of the course.

When the pair met again soon after, CT returned serve when Rag & Famish had to pull under the NZer.

Picking the best side in Rose Bay was difficult but produced a magnificent race as CT led AAPT and Rag & Famish by just two boat lengths.

Over the final lap of the course positions changed regularly although the gritty Kiwis retained their lead as the fleet approached Rose Bay for the final time.

Club Marine and Casio made a challenge before the final buoy and it was Club Marine which headed for home ahead of Casio and CT Sailbattens.

Club Marine held on comfortably over the short spinnaker run to the finish to record her victory.
Results:
Skiff Elapsed Time Handicap Place C'ship Points
1 Club Marine 1.26.13 13 7
2 Casio Seapathfinder 1.26.32 17 4
3 CT Sailbattens 1.26.44 10 6
4 Rag & Famish Hotel 1.26.56 18 9
5 Asko Appliances 1.27.32 24 9
6 Ssangyong Yandoo 1.27.51 12 16
7 AAPT 1.28.02 6 16
8 Pegasus Racing 1.28.16 23 9
9 Omega Smeg 1.28.20 2 22
10 Maytag 1.28.31 8 17
11 appliancesonline.com.au 1.28.45 3 26
12 Fisher Fine Arts Helly Hansen 1.28.53 4 33
13 Belle Property 1.29.20 7 45
14 Fisher & Paykel 1.29.47 21 22
15 Active Air 1.29.58 1 47
16 Hermes-SELS 1.31.01 19 48
17 Radii 1.31.45 25 28
18 Noakes Youth 1.32.49 11 38
19 Avaya 1.32.55 5 51
20 CST Composites 1.33.18 16 36
21 Southern Cross Constructions
Groupe Sefico 1.33.33 9 43
22 Barron & Smithers 1.33.46 28 34
23 SX Projects 1.34.11 15 41
24 Toshiba 1.34.54 29 38
25 Barracouta Sails 1.35.01 14 57
26 Ssangyong New Zealand 1.35.37 27 49
27 Wentworth Courier 1.36.23 20 51
28 Rosemount 1.36.56 22 60
29 Panasonic 1.37.10 26 46
30 Hurley Palmer Flatt 1.45.49 30 62
31 De Longhi Non finisher 51