Bryden’s win Upper Harbour Championship

by Megan Bridge on 19 Dec 2013 The Bryden’s 16ft Skiff team are this week celebrating their Upper Harbour Championship win. Bryden’s crew James Ward (replacing Lee Knapton), Ricky Bridge and Peter Mackie sailed to victory at the Upper Harbour Championship hosted by Drummoyne 16ft Skiff Sailing Club last weekend.

The event was considered by many to be a lead up event to this year’s 16ft Skiff National Titles also being hosted by Drummoyne 16ft Skiff Sailing Club and commencing from 5 January 2014.

Bryden’s (skippered by James Ward) and Empty Jets (skippered by Rob Flanagan) took advantage of the leeward end favoured line and got away clean from the rest of the fleet.

Empty Jets led the fleet, with Bryden’s only seconds behind, as they rounded Cockatoo Island to set spinnakers down to the Gladesville Bridge mark. Bryden’s were able take the lead from Empty Jets as they approached the bottom mark and they continued to lead for the rest of the race. Empty Jets finished second in the 18 boat fleet.

The battle for third place was closely contested by Fire Stopping, Altis Consulting, Fluid Building Services, Hubble Chemicals and local Drummoyne boat Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Fire stopping eventually claimed third place with the others finishing as stated.

With Bryden’s regular skipper Lee Knapton absent due to work commitments, James Ward stepped in at short notice and did an excellent job in tricky conditions for only his second sail with the Bryden’s team.

Bryden’s Sheethand Peter Mackie said Saturday’s win at Drummoyne had given them some confidence going into the Nationals.

'We’re happy with the result but we are not getting too carried away with the win. There were a few serious contenders missing from Saturday’s race including Manly’s Sutech Building Consultants and Belmont’s AB Window Fashions, ATB Morton and Straight Azz.

Ricky Bridge said Drummoyne was a tricky and often unpredictable place to sail.

'The passages are narrow and there are a lot of vessels in that part of the upper harbour. Throw in a few river cats, tourist boats and anything can happen'.

As the National Titles fast approach, the Bryden’s 16ft Skiff team continues to focus their efforts on making final modifications to the boat to get the best performance.

'We haven’t thought too much about defending the title, rather focusing on our preparation. This year we launched a new hull built by Van Munster Boats and we have been really happy with the performance,' said Peter Mackie.

'We have the same rigs from last year and have been working with our sail maker Graham McKellar from MacDiarmid Sails to ensure we are on the pace.'

Bryden’s regular skipper Lee Knapton will return to sail with the crew to defend the National title they won last year at Manly.

The Drummoyne Club have organised a programme of social events for competitors and spectators each day during the 16ft Skiff National Titles. For more information about the programme please visit www.skiffs.org.au.