JJ Giltinan 2013 - 18 footers. Iain Murray, the Big Fella arrived on the Australian 18 footer scene in the mid 1970´s as a skinny 17 year old. With Color 7, he won six JJ Giltinan Trophies in a row from 1977 onwards, after making major changes to the 1976 design of his boat which revolutionised the 18 footer scene.
These days as well as being the Regatta Director for the 34th America's Cup and CEO of America's Cup Race Management he spearheads the Gotta Luv it 7 campaign, as coach and technical advisor.
The defending championship boat was once again today impressive. Seve Jarvin, Scott Babbage and Peter Harris were near the front of the fleet for most of the race and squeezed into the lead, finishing a tiny four seconds ahead of Coopers-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney, David Witt, Mark Kennedy), with Pure Blonde (Tom Clout, Rob Bell, Matt Wark) only 20s back in third place.
In this tight racing where only a few seconds can produce the result, the technology race is all consuming. This season Murray has produced another technical improvement to the Gotta Luv it 7 big rig design.
A lighter stiffer rotating mast from Southern Spars has allowed lower drag, better camber inducing overall a more efficient rig overall which allows more sail area. Time will tell if it's another Championship winning move from the winningest sailor in 18 footer history.
Here is some background from Murray from an interview of a few weeks ago.
Multihull Solutions
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand’s premier offshore and cruising catamaran and trimaran specialist, offering sales and servicing of the world’s finest multihull brands.
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http://www.multihullsolutions.com.au
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Performance Sailcraft Australia (Asia Pacific)
Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region. [More info]
http://www.lasersailing.com.au
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
VicSail Sydney
Vicsail Sydney Pty Ltd, launched into the Australian sailing fraternity in 1983 and has been sailing strong ever since. At Vicsail, “We Sail the Boats We Sell”. [More info]
http://www.vicsailsydney.com.au