12 foot skiff series - Sail Melbourne

by Di Pearson on 19 Jan 2007 Emmett Lazich/Cameron McDonald’s second place on the penultimate day of racing in the 12 footers at the International Skiff Regatta has lifted the CST Composite crew back into the lead.

Today’s race on Corio Bay at the Sail Melbourne series predetermined who is likely to win the Championship and who is not.

In another good day for the New Zealanders Chris Reid/Alex Vallings (Nuplex Maersk) racked up another win and are in the box seat with Lazich to take out the title and maybe held the New Zealand team retain the Interdominion Cup which they have had a stranglehold on for the past nine years.

Reid, who is in second place overall, just over a point away from Lazich, takes up the story: 'At the first mark we were fourth, and at the wing mark we got our noses in front and decided to be conservative. Then Jono (Jonathan Temple/Richard Jones on O) got us – but we got back through him and held our lead to the last downwind.

'Emmett nearly got us on the last run – he got some pressure on the left and I thought we were gone, but we got a little puff just at the right time.'

Reid and Vallings have had a mixed series but seem to know when to come up with the goods. Today’s result marks their second win.

'We are really happy with our boat speed and with our sails – and with any luck, the underdogs (referring to himself) will come out on top tomorrow,' said Reid, who is well aware he is likely to be hunted throughout tomorrow’s final race. And Emmett Lazich can expect the same treatment.

'This series will come down to the last race, which is pretty exciting,' Reid said.

Yesterday’s series leaders Nathan Bax/Alex Hinton (Bax Contractors) are one crew who think their chances may have come to an end to day with an eighth place series. But they are in third place, just seven points away from the leader, so the game is not over yet for this well sailed crew.

Bax, a former two-time Javelin champion and holder of three Sanders Cups, was obviously disappointed this afternoon.

Fellow Kiwis and National champions Hamish Hey/Mike Candy (Nice Action) also think their days are numbered following a finish outside of a top 10. And it will be a little more difficult for them, trailing 17 points behind in fourth place.

'I think both Nathan and me are out of it now. We had a good first start, but it was a general recall and our second one wasn’t too good,' said Hey, a former Javelin champion who has only been sailing a 12 for the past four years.

Hey said he has enjoyed sailing here on Corio Bay, 'when the breeze was in it was good, but it’s been very light the last couple of days,' said the heavy weather specialist.

Whilst there were a few disappointed crews this afternoon Acer crew Richard Johns enjoyed his day out. 'We finished seventh and we worked hard to get it – patience is the key.'

The 12 footers will sail their final race tomorrow from 2.00pm local time.