Favourite takes Elliot 7 Nationals lead

by Di Pearson on 27 Jan 2006 Series favourite, Walter Turnbull (Matthew Owen) has taken a big lead in the Sailing Scene Elliot 7 Australian National Championship on Corio Bay in Geelong today.

'Turnbull', from the ACT, which has a strong Elliot fleet, has scored three wins and tied for a win in the latest Race 5, for a 12.5 lead over Michael Green’s Evergreen (NSW), with Angus Reid’s Humungus (ACT) in third at the Skandia Geelong Week event, hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

Humungus, purchased 12 months ago by Reid, was previously called Gone with the Wind and racked up some good results. However with only two races remaining in their seven race series, being sailed on windward/leeward courses, beating Owen for the title will be almost impossible.

Greig Ebeling (GNT Centuri Systems), who recently won the NSW Elliot Championship, has not lived up to expectation, sitting in fifth place overall heading into tomorrow, while Stuart Minchin, sailing Skandia Passion, is 10th placed.

Jim Walsh, a Sydney skiffie, said he is having his first lash at Elliot sailing. ‘I’m a virgin,’ said Walsh, who has the added bonus of Adrienne Cahalan, who in December navigated super-maxi Wild Oats to a triple win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, on his crew.

The Elliots raced just off the host venue, with many spectators looking on. Early on, the 15-boat fleet raced in light breezes that increased throughout the afternoon to 12 knots.

A feisty strictly one design trailable boat with spinnaker, the various Elliott models are widely used as Youth training boats at clubs Australia wide and frequently appear at match racing events, such is their appeal

The winner of the seven race series will take home the Sailing Scene trophy.