18 footer winners back in the office

by Helen Taylor on 5 Feb 2007 Monday mornings are often difficult to re-appear in the office ready to go with all systems blazing. But for two young men in the Beneteau Vicsail office at Rushcutter’s Bay, it is more a question of how much adrenaline is still pumping through their veins, enabling them to front up to work as normal, check the boats they have for sale and attend to clients who arrive on the doorstep at 9am.

Not so strange, you might say, except that the same two young men, Micah Lane and Jack Macartney are the new reigning Australian 18foot Skiff Champions after yesterday’s final race in The Australian Championships for 18foot Skiffs conducted from Double Bay.

Four years ago, Micah and Jack started sailing 18 footers with their friend Tom Palmer as bowman aboard ‘Rosemount’. It was during this period that Micah started work with Beneteau Vicsail learning the ropes of a yacht salesman.

Progressing through the ranks and much partying later they changed boats after a year to Belle Property producing better results and Jack joined Beneteau Vicsail.

Last year, the team changed, Tom went overseas and the search was on for a weighty bowman with the right sailing ability. The boys called upon another mate, Drew Waller, who at the time was skippering the Beneteau 57 ‘Medina’ but had a history of sailing 14ft skiffs, 420’s, 470’s and 49er’s on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.

Drew’s father, Dave Waller, who also owns a Beneteau First 42s7, lays claim to two National Championships in Corsairs and 12 QLD State Titles – 2 in 505’s and 10 in Corsairs.

The boys could scent ‘winning’ in the air when they took possession of a new boat and sponsor. Now known as Macquarie Real Estate, they proceeded to chalk up a few spectacular wins, numerous placings and a 2nd yesterday to clinch the Series.

At 12.30pm on Monday the boys are still pumped but looking a little green around the gills.

Micah Lane
Broker - Vicsail Sydney

Micah was born in Johannesburg, moved to Sydney in 1988 and started sailing from Vaucluse Yacht Club. Winning his first race entered at the age of 9 in a Sabot, Micah sailed on to compete and represent NSW and Australia in various classes. Some notable moments being: Representative of the NSW State Sabot Team, 1992-1994; Winner of the Ranclaud Cup for Best Junior Sailor on Sydney Harbour 1993; First in the Australian Youth Championships 1996 and 9th in the Worlds; First in 420 Nationals 1997 and Australian Representative at World 420 Championships from 1997-1999. His talents are not limited to sailing however, as cocktail making, music, film and television production became life’s direction for the next couple of years. He did find time to do some sailing though, moving into keel yachts in the shape of Eliot’s 5.9, Beneteau 40.7’s and the maxi ‘Shockwave’. He is skipper of the Macquarie Real Estate 18foot skiff.

Jack Macartney
Broker - Vicsail Sydney

Growing up in Sydney, Jack started sailing at the age of 9. Progressing through junior classes such as Sabots, Manly Juniors, Flying 11's, 29'ers and more, he managed to snare a couple of national titles along with some credible performances across the board. Amidst his sailing Jack completed a degree in Media Communications and a Diploma in Advertising. Currently, Jack sails as sheet hand on the Macquarie Real Estate 18 foot skiff.