18ft Skiff NSW Championship on Sydney Harbour - Race 3

The Yandoo team of John Winning, Mike Kennedy and Fang Warren lead the NSW 18ft Skiff Championship following a dominating performance to take out Race 3 of the championship on Sydney Harbour today.

Yandoo grabbed the lead early in the race to hold a 20s advantage at the first windward mark in Rose Bay and steadily increased her lead throughout the SE course.

A dominating victory for the Yandoo team - 18ft Skiff NSW Championship on Sydney Harbour - Race 3 - photo © Frank Quealey

At the finish, Yandoo crossed the line 3m13s ahead of her nearest rival, defending champion Tech2 (Jack Macartney, Charlie Wyatt and Lewis Brake).

The Shaw and Partners Financial Services (Steve Thomas, Lindsay Stead and Shaun Connor) produced the best performance in its rookie season to finish in third place, 31s behind Tech2.

Race 1 winner Noakesailing (Sean Langman) finished fourth, followed by Fisher & Paykel (Jono Whitty) and Lazarus Capital Partners (Marcus Ashley-Jones).

Noakesailing crew in the middle of the battle for second place - 18ft Skiff NSW Championship on Sydney Harbour - Race 3 - photo © Frank Quealey

Progress points after today's race has Yandoo leading the championship with a total of 6 points, followed by Noakesailing on 7 points, Tech2 on 8. Fisher & Paykel is in fourth place with a total of 14 points, followed by Shaw and Partners Financial Services on 19 and Burrawang-Young Henrys (Simon Nearn) on 26.

Yandoo's crew elected to sail to the western side of Shark Island soon after the start, a tactic which enabled the skiff to grab the lead as the fleet approached the windward mark off the southern end of the island in Rose Bay.

Tech2 was in second place, behind Yandoo, as spinnakers were set for the leg across the harbour to the bottom mark off Robertson Point, followed by Noakesailing, Lazarus Capital Partners, Shaw and Partners, Fisher & Paykel and The Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone (Lachlan Steel).

Shaw and Partners takes off under spinnaher as Noakesailing prepare to chase her to Chowder Bay - 18ft Skiff NSW Championship on Sydney Harbour - Race 3 - photo © Frank Quealey

The leading four positions remained unchanged at Robertson Point, although Yandoo had increased her lead, but the big break came on the next leg of the course, which was a windward work to the mark east of Clark Island.

By that point, Yandoo's crew had extended the lead to 1m45s, however the other big improver was Shaw and Partners, which had moved into second place ahead of Noakesailing and Tech2.

A split developed in the fleet at the Clark Island mark when several boats were involved in an incident which saw them 'tangled' for more than one minute.

While the Yandoo team was extending its lead on every leg of the course, the race for the next three placings was intense as positions changed regularly between Tech2, Noakesailing and Shaw and Partners with less than 30s separating the three boats.

At the finish line, Tech2 won the battle from Shaw and Partners and Noakesailing with only 39s between them.

The annual Supercup race, featuring many past 18ft Skiff champions, will be conducted on Sydney Harbour next Friday (December 10).

Race 4 of the NSW Championship will be conducted next Sunday (December 12).

Spectators can follow both races on board the club's spectator ferry, however due to the Covid policy, numbers are limited. Booking online through the club's website www.18footers.com is essential. www.18footers.com.au/18-footers-sailing/spectator-ferry

For those unable to make it out onto the water, the club's live broadcast team will be on Sydney Harbour to capture all the action. Live streaming is available at www.18footers.com by clicking on the '18 Footers TV' link.

NSW Championship Results after Race 3: