Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

2023 Historical 18 Footer Australian Championship at Sydney Flying Squadron

by Bob Chapman 10 Mar 2023 21:57 PST 14, 21 January and 4 February 2023
2023 Historical 18 Footer Australian Championship © Christophe Favreau

The 2023 Historic 18 Footer Australian Championship for the Galloping Ghost Trophy was conducted by the Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS) in conjunction with the Australian Historical Sailing Skiff Association (AHSSA), on Sydney Harbour over 3 races on 14, 21 January and 4 February.

Entries were down this year with just seven skiffs able to compete in all races. The skiffs enjoyed a variety of conditions for the three races along with the usual challenge in managing the harbour courses, fortunately with no capsizes during this event. Reigning champion Yendys sailed by a very experienced crew had a very consistent series, excelling on the upwind legs, particularly in the last race under full size big rig in an erratic and puffy westerly.

Yendys finished the series on 4 pts (2 wins, 1 second) from The Mistake on 6 pts (1 win, 1 second and 1 third) then Alruth on 9 pts (1 second, 1 third and 1 fourth).

Race 1 was sailed in a fresh 17 - 20 kt NE breeze and run-out tide under no.3 rigs, where Yendys led for the first lap with The Mistake taking the lead at the bottom mark spinnaker drop where they sailed away in the freshening breeze on the final lap for a comfortable win from Yendys and Alruth. Race 2 was sailed in a moderate easterly breeze and run-in tide with Alruth the early leader for the first lap with Yendys moving into first place for the second lap to score the win from Alruth and The Mistake. Race 3 was sailed in a very challenging and at times erratic westerly and run-out tide where Yendys pulled-off a port hand start and was never headed, working the wind shifts to good effect to pull away on the upwind legs for a comfortable win from The Mistake and Britannia.

The Yendys team recruited Barry Watson to take the helm for this event ably supported by regular crew Russell Debney, Don Buckley, Andrew Buckland, Michael Van Stom, with the addition of Andrew Hay, while Diana Bridgford, Ann Prosser and Jack Tang each sailed one race.

The Sydney Flying Squadron is based at Careening Cove and conducts Historic 18 Footer skiff racing on Saturday afternoons from October to March. SFS Website, www.sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au.

Overall Results:

PosSkiffSkipperR1R2R3Pts
1YendysBarry Watson2114
2The MistakeJohn Winning1326
3AlruthAlan Robertson3249
4BritanniaIan Smith56314
5Australia IVTerry Stewart64515
6TangaloomaNeville Turbit47617
7AustraliaMarshall Flanagan75719
8Top WeightJohn Tierney1091029
9ScotJamie Watt10101030

Related Articles

Vaikobi leads the 18ft Skiff Sixt Spring Series
Kirk Mitchell, Andrew Stephenson and Daniel Barnett have been one of the most consistent teams Since the beginning of last season's (2023-24) 18 footer campaign, the Vaikobi team of Kirk Mitchell (skipper), Andrew Stephenson (sheet hand) and Daniel Barnett (bow) have been one of the most consistent teams. Posted on 30 Oct
18ft Skiff Sixt Spring Championship Race 2
A 8-12 knot north-east wind for the 16 teams Race 2 of the 2024 Sixt Spring 18 footer Championship was conducted by the Australian 18 Footers League on Sydney Harbour today when 16 of the club's teams faced the start in a 8-12 knot north-east wind. Posted on 27 Oct
On Board Video from the 18ft Skiffs
The headcam footage gives you an idea of how wild the conditions were! The first race of the 18ft Skiff Sixt Spring Championship & Club Championship on Sydney Harbour saw big winds, where only seven of the 13 boats finished the race. Posted on 24 Oct
18ft Skiff Sixt Spring Championship continues
The fleet is hoping for better sailing conditions on Sunday After being battered by a 20-25 knot southerly wind on Sydney Harbour last Sunday, the Australian 18 Footers League fleet returns to the harbour waters again next Sunday to contest Race 2 of the Sixt Spring Championship and Mick Scully Memorial Trophy. Posted on 23 Oct
18ft Skiff Sixt Spring Championship Race 1
The 91st season of 18ft skiff racing began on Sydney Harbour today The Australian 18 Footers League's 91st season of 18ft skiff racing began on Sydney Harbour today when the club conducted Race 1 of its 2024-25 Club Championship and Race 1 of the Sixt Spring Championship Posted on 20 Oct
18ft Skiff 2024-25 Season Preview
The 91st season of continuous 18ft skiff racing commences on Sunday The Australian 18 Footers League's 91st continuous season of 18ft skiff racing on Sydney Harbour will commence next Sunday (20 October) when the club conducts Race 1 of the six-race Sixt Spring Championship. Posted on 16 Oct
18ft Skiffs: Rod Zemanek
Shortened career for 18 footer champion Rod Zemanek doesn't have the same high profile in 18 footer history as many other leading skippers over the past 100 years, but he was certainly one of the best during a sailing career which was shortened by a business career. Posted on 15 Sep
Architect of the grand design
You're talking about one hell of a journey, thus far, and there are a few things that could help I have had several conversations with one, Mick Miller, in the last few weeks. Typically, they've lasted around 40 to 60 minutes. An interesting guy, for sure. Now did I just hear a collective 'Whoop-de-do'? It's OK. I got it. Posted on 25 Aug
18 footer Nationals go to Brisbane
35-year wait will come to an end in January 2025 When the Australian 18 footer Championship is sailed on Waterloo Bay, Brisbane next January, it will become the first major 18 footer title sailed in Queensland since Scott Ramsden's Bank of New Zealand team won the Worlds on Brisbane River in 1990 Posted on 25 Aug
18ft Skiffs: William 'Billo' Hayward
“Second only to the immortal Chris Webb” William J. 'Billo' Hayward was not only one of the great champion 18 footer skippers at the NSW (now Australian) 18 Footers League during the 1930s and 1940s, he was also one of the greatest 16 footer sailors at StGSC for more than thirty years. Posted on 18 Aug
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERSavvy Navvy 2024Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM