16ft Skiffs - Fire Stopping fires at the right time

by James Bury on 20 Dec 2010 It was the quiet whisper going around Manly 16ft Skiff Club's fleet: Just what was going wrong with two-time national champion Fire Stopping?

The James Dorron skippered boat started the season in reasonable fashion before fading from view, rarely seen anywhere near the podium.

A so-so performance at the states – fourth overall - only fuelled speculation all was not right.

But after victory in Saturday's summer pointscore race at Manly, Fire Stopping appears back in business and ready to make a serious challenge at the nationals in Brisbane (Jan 2-9).

'It's true we had a very patchy start to the year. We started well then spent a while in the wilderness,' Fire Stopping crew member James Bury said. 'But we've tinkered with the boat a little and added some new gear and the boat is feeling great. 'We're confident we can do something up in Brisbane.'

Fire Stopping won the national crown in 2007/8 and again in 2008/9, with Manly stablemate Fluid Building Services (Clint Bowen) stopping the hat-trick last year.

Fluid and another Manly entrant, Altis Consulting (Phil Cooke), along with Bob Jane T-Mart (Nathan Wilmot) and Brydens Compensation Lawyers (Lee Knapton) are considered the boats to beat

'We feel we have got a chance but the other guys are really quick this year,' Bury said.
'The top Manly boats should do well but a lot will depend on the conditions up there. We don't quite know what to expect as they've been having some unusual conditions in Brisbane. We're hoping for a bit of breeze. We'd love to get that title back.'

There was a 10-20 knot nor wester blowing for Saturday's race, Fire Stopping jumping to an early lead and holding it all the way.

Altis Consulting and Fluid filled the minor placings.

Fire Stopping was also successful on handicap from Sutech (Daniel Turner) and Fluid.