NSW 18ft Skiffs Championship - First race of the season this Sunday

by Frank Quealey on 8 Nov 2013 Sunday will see the first 18ft Skiff championship race of the 2013-2014 Season on Sydney Harbour when the Australian 18 Footers League conducts Race one of the NSW Championship.

Predicting a likely winner is made more difficult than usual due to the lack of racing so far.

Only two teams completed the course in the opening race of the season then last Sunday’s race was abandoned after strong winds swept across the harbour.

For defending champion Seve Jarvin-led Gotta Love It seven team it will be their first race of the season and the first in the new Van Munster built hull.

The skiff was christened last Sunday before the race was abandoned, now the team will have to go into Sunday’s race ‘cold. Seven’s task will be made all the harder with a strong line up of top teams within the 19-boat fleet.

Last year’s runner-up Smeg (Nick Press), third placed Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) and fourth placed Yandoo (John Winning) have all retained their teams to meet the challenge.

Jack Macartney’s Coopers 62-Rag and Famish Hotel team pushed Gotta Love It seven to finish a close second in the 2013 Giltinan Championship.

This season the team also has a new Van Munster hull and will be among the major contenders, though Sunday will also be the first outing also for this team.

Inclusion of former 18ft Skiff champions Chris Nicholson (Mojo Wine) and David Witt (Sydney City Marine) gives even greater depth to the possible winners list.

Another interesting team to contest the championship is Haier Appliances, which will be sailed by an all-UK team led by Rick Peacock. There are so many chances.

Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane), Fisher and Paykel (Grant Rollerson), Lumix (Jonathan Whitty), The Kitchen Maker (Malcolm Page) and Rabbitohs-Kenwood (Brett Van Munster) just to name a few.

Much will depend on conditions again as the teams struggle to find their form,

The club’s regular spectator ferry will follow the race, leaving Double Bay Public Wharf, alongside the clubhouse, at 2.15pm.

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