Kiwis win Race 2 of JJ Giltinan in big breeze

by Suellen Davies / Auckland Skiff League 4 Mar 2018 04:12 PST 5 March 2018

The winning streak continues for the New Zealand 18' Skiff team representing the Auckland Skiff League and Royal Akarana Yacht Club.

Race 1 was won by Maersk Line (Josh Porebski, Dave Hazard and Jack Simpson), and today, the second race in the seven race serieswas taken out by Honda Marine (Dave McDiarmid, Matt Steven and Brad Collins.

It was a hectic day on Sydney Harbour with a 25 knot southerly pushing the fleet to their limits.

It was a clear start on time and all the Kiwi boats were well up on the line. C-Tech, Knight Frank, Maersk Line and Honda Marine were all together in clear air, with Honda Marine pulling away early on. The majority of the fleet went left up the first work to the top mark with Honda Marine rounding in first followed by Harken (USA) and Knight Frank.

The first downwind leg to Obelisk was brutal with many boats taking a dip and swimming in Sydney Harbour. C-Tech was one of those boats who swam and unfortunately went full turtle.

Honda Marine maintained their lead and rounded Obelisk in first with ASKO trailing close behind. Knight Frank rounded in third and although they had a wee swim, Maersk Line rounded in fourth.

The battle between ASKO and Honda Marine began on the upwind to Shark Island, with ASKO managing to sneak ahead of the Kiwis. ASKO rounded Shark Island and looked to be on fire, with Honda Marine having to work extra hard to pick up the pace. Eventually they did and managed to gain take back the lead. It was during this battle that Knight Frank pulled off the best capsize of the regatta and the century. There are almost no words to describe their transom stand. Just look at the picture.

Honda Marine then managed to hold their lead for the rest of the race with the ASKO keeping them on their toes. But the big movers and shakers were Maersk Line and Knight Frank, who made a miraculous recovery after their capsize. Maersk Line were eating into ASKO and finished just 32 seconds behind them who were second. Appliancesonline.com.au were fourth and then out of nowhere, Knight Frank pulled off an epic finish crossing in fifth.

C-Tech had a few boat issues and although they “had loads of fun” only managed to pull off a 14th.

“It was a good day,” said Honda Marine skipper Dave McDiarmid. “We sailed around pretty conservatively and didn’t take any risks.”

Matt Steven, mainsheet hand on Honda Marine was optimistic about their result, reminding us all that there was still a long way to go. “We’re only up to race two,” said Steven.

Full Results

Race 2 – Top 10 1. Honda Marine 2. ASKO 3. Maersk Line 4. Appliancesonline.com.au 5. Knight Frank 6. Yandoo 7. Ilve 8. Triple M 9. Finport Trae Services 10. Peroni 14. C-Tech

JJ Giltinan - Schedule

Race dates for the rest of the championship are: Race 4 Wednesday March 7 Race 5 Thursday March 8 Race 6 Saturday March 10 Race 7 Sunday March 11

New Zealand Team Representing Royal Akarana Yacht Club / Auckland Skiff League

Honda Marine – Dave McDiarmid, Matt Steven, Brad Collins Knight Frank – Riley Dean, Luke Stevenson, Tim Snedden C-Tech – Alex Vaillings, Sam Trethewey, Matt Coutts Maersk Line – Josh Porebski, Jack Simpson, David Hazard

Post Race Interviews: