JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiffs: A day of rest before Race 3 this afternoon
by Suellen Davies / Auckland Skiff League 5 Mar 2018 14:54 PST
6 March 2018
C-Tech - Race 2, JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff 2018 Championship, Sydney March 4, 2018 © Suellen Davies / Auckland Skiff League
The Kiwi team racing in the 2018 JJ Giltinan welcomed the first day off from the regatta and took the time off to see the sights of Sydney, and do some boat work.
The layday was a welcome break after three intensive races on Sydney Harbour which included the Invitation race, Race 1 and Race 2.
The first two official days for the Kiwis couldn't have been better with Maersk Line winning Race 1 and Honda Marine taking the gun in Race 2.
"It's been a great start to the regatta, but there is still a long way to go," said Maersk Line skipper Josh Porebski.
The Honda Marine crew took in some of the sights of Sydney before heading to the boat park at Double Bay to a bit of boat work to prepare for the next three races.
"Dave (McDiarmid) went to Manly with his family, and I helped out the British guys for a bit to help them prepare their boats. They had spiders in their container so were delayed in getting their boats, along with the Hungarians and Germans. Then we just chilled out for the afternoon," said mainsheet hand Matt Steven.
The Knight Frank team also opted for a bit of boat work before Luke Stevenson and Riley Dean took the rest of the day to work. Tim Snedden, bowman on Knight Frank, did "a little bit of bodywork" to ensure he was fighting fit for the next batch of races on Sydney Harbour.
Alex Vallings, Matt Coutts and Luke Stevenson from C-Tech took the day to work before spending a hour or so with the boat.
"I went for a surf in the evening which was awesome," said Coutts.
Overall after two races, Maersk Line sits in first on four points, Honda Marine second on five points and local team ASKO Appliances levels out the podium on seven points.
Racing continues today, Tuesday 6th March, with Race 3 warning signal scheduled for 2:45pm Sydney time / 4:45pm NZL time.
"It's anyones game this far out, but I know our guys will be fighting hard at every corner," said team captain Graham Catley.
"We're looking forward to another flat water day and hoping to minimise mistakes mistakes," said Matt Steven (Honda Marine).
Catch the live coverage of Race 3 on Sail-World.com - the morning report from Sydney is that "the wind is up. Looks like they are going to be doing two windward leeward courses today".
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 2 Interviews: