Winning Group 73rd JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship - Day 6

Today's Sponsor: Smeg

Defending champion Andoo team of John Winning Jr, Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton took the lead from the start and led the entire Race 8 of the Winning Group JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today, crossing the finish line with a winning margin of 48s.

The fast-finishing Balmain Slake team of Henry Larkings, Miles Davey and Flynn Twomey produced its best result of the season with a strong performance to finish in second place, 37s ahead of Rag & Famish Hotel (Harry Price, Josh McKnight, Harry Hall).

Gybing on the run into Rose Bay in race 8 on 18ft Skiff 73rd JJ Giltinan Championship Day 6 - photo © Frank Quealey

Big Pete (Sean Langman) finished fourth, followed by Yandoo (John Winning), Black Knight (Heinrich Bayern), Finport Finance (Keagan York), Smeg (David Witt), Shaw and Partners Financial Services (Dave O'Connor) and Big Foot Bags and Covers (Dave Hayter).

Following the victory, Andoo leads the net provisional points table on 18 points, followed by Smeg on 29, Finport Finance and Rag & Famish Hotel both on 30, Big Pete 31 and Yandoo on 32 points.

Going to the wing mark in race 8 on 18ft Skiff 73rd JJ Giltinan Championship Day 6 - photo © Frank Quealey

Protests, resulting from Thursday's Race 7, are still to be heard this evening and all current points listed here are provisional only.

(Protests include: Finport Finance v Andoo, Big Pete v Shaw and Partners and Shaw and Partners v Big Pete)

Fisher and Paykel on the run down the middle of the course in race 8 on 18ft Skiff 73rd JJ Giltinan Championship Day 6 - photo © Frank Quealey

Should the protest against Andoo in Race 7 be unsuccessful, Andoo would have a gross total of 24 points, which would put the team in an unbeatable position before tomorrow's final race of the championship.

Andoo's experienced crew revelled in the North East conditions and grabbed a 20s lead at the Beashel Buoy weather mark from Finport Finance, Rag & Famish Hotel and Balmain Slake.

Queensland's Big Foot between the islands in race 8 on 18ft Skiff 73rd JJ Giltinan Championship Day 6 - photo © Frank Quealey

Andoo led the fleet downwind to the wing mark off the southern end of Shark Island. Rag & Famish Hotel was quick and moved up into second place ahead of Balmain Slake, Yandoo, Finport Finance and Big Pete.

The leading positions remained unchanged at the bottom mark then Andoo's crew were at their best on the second beat to the Beashel Buoy as they extended their lead over Rag & Famish Hotel to 55s as spinnakers were set for the run back down the middle of the course to the bottom mark off Clark Island.

Balmain Slake was a fast-finishing second behind Andoo in race 8 on 18ft Skiff 73rd JJ Giltinan Championship Day 6 - photo © Frank Quealey

Finport Finance was back in third place at the Beashel Buoy, jush ahead of Balmain Slake, Yandoo, Big Pete, Black Knight and Smeg (David Witt).

Balmain Slake won the handicap section of today's race, but it's the Germany's Black Knight (Heinrich Bayern, Thomas Martin and Andy Martin) which leads the handicap section on 40 points, followed by Birkenhead Point Marina (Kirk Mitchell) on 44 and Balmain Slake on 46 points.

NOTE: Tomorrow's race is the final race for the Winning Group 73rd JJ Giltinan World 18 footer Championship

The Australian 18 Footers League has TWO spectator ferries following the race, leaving Double Bay Public Wharf, alongside the clubhouse, at 2pm.

For anyone who can't make it onto one of the spectator ferries, the League's live broadcast team will be out on Sydney Harbour to capture all the action. Live streaming is available at www.18footers.com by clicking on the '18 Footers TV' link.

Results after Race 8: