JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff International 2013 - Thurlow on the rise

by Bob Killick on 21 Feb 2013 The JJ 18ft Skiff Giltinan International 2013 saw Thurlow Fisher Lawyers strengthening its bid for the title as its crewmen Michael Coxon, Dave OConnor, and Trent Barnabas quickly got into phase with the shifty easterly Course 2 and clinically jumped up to a right hand shift off Point Piper on the approach to the windward Rose Bay turn mark in Race 4 of the prestigious 18ft Skiff event.

This short hitch gave Coxon the advantage to lead Seve Jarvin, Scott Babbage, Peter Harris, Alex Vallings' C-Tech (NZ) and Nick Press' Smeg leaving them behind to scrap for the podium positions. Thurlow's crew extended their lead knowing they were right back in the JJ game with three races to sail.

C-Tech finished second and have joined the top of the Leader Board and are a definite threat to the Sydney fleet dominance. Smeg sliced into third right on the line by one second to Gotta Luv it 7 in fourth and one second to Tom Clout's Pure Blonde in fifth. Rag and Famish Hotel miraculously came home in sixth place, after a disastrous first beat they clawed back to a satisfactory position considering the hopeless position they found themselves.

Pick the Podium was won by Phil Barnett who had two correct in his entry as did 20 others. Phil was lucky to come out of the hat and wins the cool Barzoptics San Juan Floater Sunnies and joins Tina Babbage, Adam Young, Graeme Tumber, and Sue Tucker in the draw for the Major JJ Prizes next Sunday after the final race of the JJ.

Can you Pick the Podium? it's fun and free to enter Simply log onto 18 footers TV register to play, then go to Competition Tips to check our Ranking Ready Reckoner and have a crack in Heat 5, 6 and 7 and see if you can get into the draw on Sunday for the Major Prizes posted on the Pick the Podium tab.