Hamilin retains JJ Giltinan Shield

by Samantha Crichton on 13 Jan 2003 Howie Hamlin retains the JJ Giltinan title by .35 of a point on the Casio Seapathfinder day of the 18 Footers JJ Giltinan International Trophy

With a tentative grin, GE/US Challenge's Howie Hamlin and crew Mike Martin and Rod Howell, had it confirmed when they hit the beach, that they had managed to retain the JJ Giltinan Trophy for the second year in a row. After a change was made to the results, the gap between GE/US Challenge and Rob Greenhalgh and crew Peter Greenhalgh and Dan Johnson on RMW Marine was reduced and completely changed the game plan for the final race of the series.

Sailing in a sou'easter of 15-20 knots the RMW Marine crew who have worn the leaders jersey for the majority of the series had their predicted first place snatched from them by GE/US Challenge. Both teams crossed the finish line showing no emotion as it was still unsure who was the winner but the skiff flying the champions ribbon in the boat park was the team from the USA.

The lead in the last day of the series was held for the entire race by Tony Hannan and crew Greg Windust and Cameron McDonald on Total Recall with GE/US Challenge taking second position and Hugh Stodart and crew Niall Kinch and Andrew Hay on Express Post, who had won the previous heat, taking third over the line.

Racing for the entire series has been a great display of sailing skill and ability to make the most out of every situation that occurs on the water. The 28 boats in the fleet sailed an exciting series that saw fantastic finishes on more than one occasion and provided the spectator fleet with some amazing viewing.

The Australian Championship will commence on February 16th with all the local crews aiming to take the title of Australian Champion at the end of the 6 heat series.

For more information please check the website at www.18footers.com.au

Overall point-score and places for the JJ Giltinan International Trophy 2003

1 GE/US Challenge(USA) Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin, Rod Howell 28.7

2 RMW Marine(UK) Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson, Peter Greenhalgh 29.05

3 Total Recall(AUS) Tony Hannan, Cameron McDonald, Greg Windust 32.4

4 Express Post(AUS) Hugh Stodart, Niall Kinch, Andrew Hay 42.7

5 Omega Smeg(AUS) Trevor Barnabas, Matt Felton, Trent Barnabas 50.05

6 Casio Seapathfinder(AUS) Michael Coxon, Aaron Links, Phil Hebden 61.7

7 Computer Associates(AUS) Anthony Young, Geoff Beauchop, Tim Webster 70.1

8 Aristocrat(AUS) Gary Phillips, Dave Gibson, Michael Shane 70.7

9 Yandoo(AUS) John Winning, Daniel Phillips, John Winning 78

10 Asko Appliances(AUS) David Lumb, Greg O’Shea, Andrew Divola 104

11 Rag and Famish Hotel (AUS) Warwick Rooklyn, Kevin Nixon, Chris Cleary 110

12 Flawless(ITA) Pablo Soldano, Gabriele Bruni, Mauro Galante 119

13 Fisher and Paykel(AUS) Grant Rollerson, Paul Williams, John McKenna 119.7

14 RADII(UK) Andy Richards, Andy Fairley, Dave Richards 125

15 Sunday Telegraph(RSA) Clynton Wade-Lehman, Cameron McDonald, Ben Stephens 126

16 Terry Hogan Prestige Cars(AUS)Chris Dixon, Greg Dixon, Dave Smith 127

17 Avaya(AUS) Peter Morrison, Matthew Brown, Aaron Smith 131

18 Churchill’s Sports Bar(AUS) Ben Austin, Shane Guarana, Tim Austin 140

19 Ovington Boats(UK) Dave Ovington, Martin Goodlad, Roy Goodlad 148

20 Computacenter(UK) Neale Fitzgerald, Andy Jefferies, Paul Hargreaves 154

21 New Zealand(NZ) Chris Skinner, Alex Vallings, James Fleet 157

22 LinkAssociates.com(UK) Tim Penfold, Andrew James, Will Penfold 158

23 Base 1(UK) Rob Dulson, Paul Constable, Alec McKinlay 160

24 Ronstan(UK) Geoff Carveth, Steve McLean, Jeremy Reed 168

25 Team Canada(CAN) Fred Eaton, Rob Paterson, Jason Lemieux 172

26 Hermes(UK) Ed Browne, Mark Tait, Anthony Esse 175

27 Rosemount Estate(AUS) Micah Lane, Peter Harris, Chris Pomfret 177

28 Ernst & Young(UK) Jarrod Simpson, Simon Nearn, Harvey Hillary 180