Twilight Race - 18ft Skiffs
by Frank Quealey on 10 Feb 2008
Asko Appliances - Australian 18 Footers League
http://www.18footers.com.au
It was a welcome return to form for the former Australian champion Asko Appliances team of Hugh Stodart, Niall Kinch and Paul Schulz when they took out the NAB Twilight 18ft Skiff Race on Friday evening.
After a 2008 national championship they would rather forget, the Asko boys were always near or in the lead before scoring a very good 26secs victory on Sydney Harbour.
The Adam Beashel-led team of Cameron Mc Donald and Phil Hebden also sailed extremely well in the light, patchy south-east wind to bring their skiff Club Marine home in second place after leading for a good portion of the race.
The experienced crew on Omega Smeg, skippered by Trevor Barnabas, was a further 3mins 28secs back in third place, just 19secs ahead of the young Pure Blonde team with James Francis at the helm.
National and NSW champion Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) found the conditions not to her liking and was a distant fifth – more than 5 minutes behind the winner.
All teams line up on Sunday (10 February) for the next race of the Club Championship.
The first race of the JJ Giltinan International (world) Championship, with a fleet of 29 skiffs, will be sailed next Saturday, 16 February.
Race dates for the Giltinan Championship are:
Invitation Race - Friday 15 February
Race 1 - Saturday 16 February
Race 2 - Sunday 17 February
Race 3 - Tuesday 19 February
Race 4 - Wednesday 20 February
Race 5 - Thursday 21 February
Race 6 - Saturday 23 February
Race 7 - Sunday 24 February
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