Seven unveils new Gotta Love It 7 18ft skiff

by Di Pearson on 7 Oct 2008 Australia's Seven Television Network has reaffirmed its commitment to sailing and sport in unveiling its new 18ft skiff, Gotta Love It 7, at Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont in Sydney this afternoon.

Following on from the outstanding success of young Sydney sailors Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Rob Bell aboard Gotta Love It 7, launched by the Seven Network in 2006, the new skiff has hit the water in good time for the coming 18ft skiff racing season which starts on Sydney Harbour on 12 October.

Seven’s Chief Executive Officer, Broadcast Television, David Leckie felt it was time to move into a new phase, so commissioned a new skiff, which like its predecessor, is emblazoned with Seven’s distinct red livery.

At the time of launching Seven’s first Gotta Love it Seven, Leckie had remarked: 'We can’t wait to see that big red Seven back on Sydney Harbour.'

He was not to know at that time how prophetic his words would be. Despite their young ages - and their near-novice status in the class, Jarvin and his crew went on a winning spree claiming their first major title by winning the 18ft Skiff Interdominion in New Zealand in April 2007.

It was onwards and upwards from there as the trio claimed one title after another; the 18ft Skiff Club Championship, NSW Championship, Australian Championship (which they won with a race to spare and defeated their nearest rival by over three minutes in the final race) and culminating in their victory at the world championship, the J.J. Giltinan International Championship in February this year.

After their World’s win, the Gotta Love It 7 crew sailed to victory at the 18ft Skiff International Regatta in San Francisco in August.

The three, who were handpicked by sailing icon Iain Murray from a huge list of potentials, have thrived under the patronage of the Seven Network.

Murray remains with the crew as mentor, as does Andrew Palfrey in the role as manager/coach. The pair recently returned from representing Australia in the Star keelboat at the Beijing Olympic Games, so have a lot to offer the young team.

It is well documented that Murray’s own illustrious 18ft skiff career was boosted by the Seven Network’s sponsorship and support, which not only helped him win an unprecedented six consecutive world championships from 1977 to 1982 with his Color 7 skiff, but also changed the face of sailing in Australia.

Ted Thomas, a television executive who in his time led the Seven Network and backed Murray in Color 7 and his America’s Cup Challenge, remains actively involved in the project.

Details of the new boat and team were announced today by Leckie and Murray.

Leckie said: 'Our return to the Harbour has been an amazing story. A clean-sweep of all the major titles – including the Worlds – was a truly extraordinary performance. Beyond their undeniable sailing skills, Seve, Rob and Sam have been terrific ambassadors for our company. When Iain, Andrew, Seve and the crew said they’d like to keep going, we decided we would as well, and we not only christen a new skiff, we also welcome Tom Clout to Team Seven

Murray responded: 'The partnership of Channel 7 and 18ft Skiff racing on Sydney Harbour has a long and colourful history.

'This season will be a great opportunity to continue to develop the sailing skills of our young crew, Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout, and for them to enhance their international sailing skills and take their 18ft Skiff ability to the highest level.'

'I can’t wait to see what such a successful team can do on the water this season,' he said.

Like his skipper Seve Jarvin and for’ward hand Sam Newton, Clout is a successful product of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Youth Academy. The three, who have known each other for years, have already put in some time on the water together as they look to emulate their results of last year.

Commenting, Seven’s Head of Sport, Saul Shtein said: 'Seven is so much a part of Sydney and the Harbour, with our skiff and our coverage of the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race. Iain and I have been mates for years and all of us here at Seven are proud to be involved in such a great part of summer in Sydney; the skiffs on the Harbour.'

Others onboard Seven’s latest project and providing product to the crew is classy new clothing line Zhik, and world-renowned boat hardware company, Harken. The skiff’s spectacular graphic look was created by Seven’s in house creative team, led by Chris Cross.

Eighteen foot skiffs have been sailing on the Harbour since the 1800s, and through the years have evolved in design and weight; today’s skiffs bear little resemblance to their historical predecessors.

They are one of the most exciting and fastest centreboard boats, and consist of a mainsail, jib, spinnaker and a choice of two rigs. They feature 'wings' protruding from both sides of the boat, allowing crews to lean from trapeze wires connected from the mast to a belt on each crew’s waist, which help keep the boat sailing flat and upright.

The '18' is a difficult boat to sail, requiring strength, agility, dexterity and a crew’s ability to read weather conditions, which in turn helps them decide whether to use a big or small rig. One capsize can make the difference between winning and losing; and on a windy day there are many spills and thrills.

The 18’ skiffs race each Sunday and the season starts in October. For those wanting to follow these exhilarating skiffs racing on Sydney Harbour, a ferry departs from home of the 18 foot skiff, the Australian 18 Footers League Club at Double Bay, prior to race commencement each week, where the public can watch crews rig their boats in the park before departing. Those preferring to watch from shoreside, can do so from Shark Island, Bradley’s Head on the North side of the Harbour, Nielsen Park at Vaucluse, Camp Cove and its headland at Watsons Bay and many other vantage points around the Harbour.