Australian 18ft Skiffs Championship - New battle commences on Sunday

by Frank Quealey on 11 Jan 2013 The Australian 18ft Skiffs Championship 2012-2013 opened the new season of competitive racing on Sunday after a three-week break. Among the favourites to take the spotlight in the season-opener are defending champion skipper Michael Coxon of Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Seve Jarvin of 2012 Giltinan champion Gotta Love It 7.

Michael Coxon will be defending his title in Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, but will have to be at his best to repel the challenge from his arch-rival Seve Jarvin in the 2012 Giltinan champion Gotta Love It 7.

While these two teams are favoured to take out the championship they certainly won’t have things their own way as several teams were showing good form prior to the break over Christmas and the New Year.

Biggest challengers to the big two are expected to be Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane), Yandoo (John Winning), Coopers-Rag and Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney), Smeg (Nick Press), Pure Blonde (Tom Clout), Mojo Wine (James Dorron) and Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones).

With several new teams in the Australian 18 Footers fleet this season, many will be using this series as a build up to the Giltinan 2013, which begins on Sydney Harbour next month.

As usual, a spectator ferry will follow Sunday’s race, leaving Double Bay Wharf at 18footers Skiffs Nationals 2013