12ft Skiff Parramatta River Championship

by Skiff Ed on 7 Nov 2012 Lincoln Crowne sailed by Jonathon Temple and Richard Jones convincingly won the 12ft Skiff Parramatta River Championship over the weekend. The pair virtually led from start to finish and managed the win despite some late drama caused by gear failure. The win maintains what has been a great start to the season for the veteran crew.

A building North East breeze was forecast and had filter up the river to Abbotsford early, with all boats going for the second rig option.

Garde (Brett Hobson and Damien Vlotman) managed a blinder of a start to lead the fleet early on in the first work. A few tacks later, Lincoln Crowne hit the lead, with Gemmell Sails (Murray Press and Scott Lanham) pulling into second ahead of Garde. Skoll (Peter Polec and Alan Jackson) and Skiff.org.au (Ben Faulkner and Renn Holland).

On the tricky river course, Lincoln Crowne had extended their lead by the top mark with Garde just ahead of Gemmell Sails. Gemmell Sails and Garde traded places on the downwind run, while Lincoln Crowne were able to extend their lead.

The breeze shifted as it built and this allowed Variety (Adam Forbes and Andrew Stevenson) to briefly catch Garde and Gemmell Sails midway down the run. It looked like they were going to take second place before the next crucial gust of wind eluded them.

A scrap was emerging behind the leaders with Vantage Real Estate, Skoll, Variety, skiff.org.au and Arrogant Frog trading gybes down wind.

Garde extended the gap to Gemmell Sails at the bottom mark but some clever tactical decisions up the next work saw Gemmell Sails move to second. Garde made emends on the downwind to jump away from Gemmell Sails again.

Mid race, Lincoln broke their side stay. The rig stayed up thanks to the top stays and lowers, and the crew having to hit the trap at just at the right time. This did allow Garde to close the gap to first place , but Lincoln had enough of a lead to stay at the head of the fleet at the finish.

Skiff.org.au had a great day out, maintaining fourth place for most of the race, but unfortunately losing three places on the last couple of legs as the breeze continued to build. They picked up the Lenore Dempsey Memorial trophy for first on handicap.