Dorron pressing for NSW 16ft Skiff title

by Brad Andrew on 13 Nov 2007 Some sailors go decades without coming close to a state title.

Manly 16ft Skiff Club skipper James Dorron is within touching distance of the NSW Championship in his first year in the class.

In a remarkable display of poise and precision last weekend, Dorron piloted Fire Stopping to two top three placings in the opening heats of the NSW 16ft Skiff Championships on Lake Illawarra.

He is now equal first and can secure victory in the final two heats, to be held at Manly on November 24-25 .

Asked how it would feel to win the state title at his first attempt, 19-year-old Dorron gave a typically teenage response: 'That would be pretty cool,' he said.

'We're on home ground. I've sailed there for a fair while so I've got the knowledge and we've just got to consolidate our position. Consistency wins regattas.

'If you get top three every race you'll be in a pretty good position.'

Dorron said it hasn't had to make may adjustments since switching from the 13ft skiff class to the 16ft skiffs.

'My job in the boat's been pretty similar to all my other classes. We work together a bit more and communicate with the boys because there's a few more people in the boat,' he explained.

'You've all got to know what you're doing.'

Fire Stopping sheethand James Bury labelled Dorron the coolest competitor he's seen at that age.

The modest skipper shrugged: 'You try not to get too distressed if you're not going as well as you would have liked.'

'You just hope the others start making mistakes and you can get through them.'

There was plenty to test Dorron and the rest of the fleet as shifting breezes, narrow channels and surface weed beds caused havoc in the opening two rounds of the state championships.

The first two heats were dominated by past Australian champions, Manly's Clint Bowen and Belmont- based skipper Danny Anderson.

Aboard OAS, Anderson won Saturday's first race by more than four minutes with Dorron second and Bob Jane T Marts (Gerard Smith) third.

Rig decisions proved crucial the following day with the dying conditions playing right into the hands of Bowen aboard Fluid Building Services.

In a Manly trifecta, Fluid finished ahead of Savage Bee (Bruce Savage) and Fire Stopping.

The crews return to Manly next weekend for the annual Ladies day race (2pm) before the final State Championship heats the following weekend.

A spectator Ferry will follow the final heat departing the Manly Skiff club wharf at 2.00pm. Tickets available from club office.

Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club Ltd

East Esplanade,
Manly NSW Australia 2095

www.manlyskiff.com.au