Skiffs launch season at the Sydney Flying Squadron

by Glen Stanaway, SFS on 17 Sep 2005 This weekend is the opening day of the season at the Sydney Flying Squadron at which the high speed 12, 14 and 18 foot skiff classes all start their competitions.

The 18 footers are launching a new era at the SFS with a fleet of 11 skiffs, following reformation and rebuilding efforts over the last 10 months resulted in renewed vigor.

Several champions from other classes and countries have come to the SFS to race these skiffs and it will be interesting to see how they perform against local skippers. Lea Sitja (Spain), Chris Kameen (UK) and Ian Pretty (Canada) add an international flavour to what is historically an Australian class.

The dark horse is Pretty, who did his 18 footer apprenticeship with class stalwart, Michael Carter, as sheet hand. Pretty has also spent time as crew in the Australian 18 footers League fleet as crew, and it is expected that he will make Churchill’s Sports Bar a strong performer at both clubs.

Sitja is an Olympic coach who was part of the Spanish 49er gold medal efforts. Whilst new to the class, a winter spent tuning and training may be quickly converted into results on his skiff Intercall. Like Sitja, Kameen is a highly experienced sailor from other classes, and a RYA coach who should be able to quickly convert a strong sailing base into results.

It will be tough for these new teams though, with home grown talent from the SFS expected to dominate early in the season. Michael Boyd sailing Austar is an experienced 18 footer skipper with a top team and has all new rigs and sails. In any class, this is a tough combination to beat.

The International 14 foot skiffs are also experiencing new growth in the fleet and this weekend’s racing will show what’s to come for this season and beyond. A fleet of 10 or more is expected, and close racing is guaranteed with no clear local favourites.

A new series has been promoted for the 12 footers. The Garde Sydney Harbour Series should encourage in excess of 20 and on the Club’s opening day, most of the class will be on the water.

Spectacular sailing is expected this weekend, with a 20 to 25 knot weather forecast. It will be skiff racing at its best: explosive and fast. All in all, expect to see some exciting races over summer.