18ft Skiff Australian titles 2013 - Series decided in final race

by Bob Killick on 4 Feb 2013 Australian 18ft Skiff Championships 2013. Rag and Famish Hotel gave a faultless display on Sydney Harbour for the last race of the 18ft Skiff Nationals. Jack McCartney helm, Mark Kennedy main, and big David Witt bow, were strong into the wind, and fast and safe downhill, to beat Gotta Luv it 7, and Smeg to lock down the podium.

Mick Coxon's Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, took a two point lead into the final race over GTLit7 with one point to Nick Press's Smeg. The race was sailed on a windward leeward Course 6 with large swells rolling through the start line, and a fresh southerly which veered constantly in strength and direction.

Coxon led narrowly at the first weather mark from a tight pack which included Rag, 7 and Smeg just off this group. On the next beat Coxon was keen to cover 7 and let Rag control the middle left and subsequently got out of phase with the next lifts and a capsize later on to finish their title defence.

Rag and Famish took a well deserved win to 7 and Smeg third. The Australian Champions for 2013 are 7's Seve Jarvin, Scott Babbage and Pete Harris.

Rag's crew have now booked their seat at the table with the other pre-JJ Giltinan favourites with only one race, next Sunday, to go before hostilities commence for the 2013 JJ title, starting Friday on the 15th February.

Pick the Podium.. Congratulations Jeff Black, the stand alone champion and the first player this season to pick a full Podium, and in the right order. Jeff wins the lot, the cool Barzoptics San Juan Floater sunnies and the Appliances Online Bar Fridge..... and the Bragging Rights for the week. Brag hard Jeff you are a Legend.