Sydney Harbour Marathon
by Frank Quealey 1 Feb 2025 00:43 PST
1 February 2025
Sponsored by Shaw and Partners Financial Services
The Australian 18 Footers League, as part of its 90th Anniversary celebrations, today recreated the Sydney Harbour Marathon, last sailed 37 years ago when 18, 16 and 12 footers competed on a similar course which extended from Sydney Harbour, East of the Opera House, to an area in Middle Harbour, north of the main harbour.
It was appropriate that Shaw and Partners Financial Services was the day and race sponsor as it is a sponsor of a variety of sporting organisations located at both ends of the long course.
Today's fleet including Cherubs, NS14s, 12, 14 and 16 footers as well as B14s and the League's 18 footers had staggered starts from 2pm, 2.30pm, then 3pm for the 18s.
The big start was too much for the 18s to overcome and the overall Sydney Harbour Marathon victory went to Will Beck's Cherub, named Robbie, which was a brilliant effort by the young skipper.
The 18 footer section of the Marathon went to Rag & Famish Hotel (Nick Robins, Max Paul, Finn Rodowicz) which crossed the finishing line 1m54s ahead of Finport Finance (Keagan York, Shaun Connor, Phil Marshall) with Yandoo (Josh Porebski, Fang Warren, Charlie Zeeman) a further 12s back in third place.
Sixt (Jacob Marks) finished in fourth place just ahead of Lazarus Capital Partners (Tom Cunich), Vaikobi (Kirk Mitchell), Team Victoria (Scott Cunningham), Balmain (Henry Larkings) and The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines (Hugo Stoner).
Will Beck's Cherub, Robbie, was in the lead soon after the first group started and was impressive under spinnaker after leading at the first mark off Shark Island. In the second group there was little between a group of B14s and the top 14ft skiff.
One hour after the first group started, the 18s fleet got away in a slightly lighter breeze with a less friendly direction which was going to make the challenge even greater for the teams chasing the Cherubs.
With regular skipper Harry Price unavailable to sail Rag & Famish Hotel, UK 49er sailor Nick Robins took the helm and was prominent soon after the start to trail only Sixt and Vaikobi at the first mark off Shark Island.
The angle of the breeze forced the teams to drop their spinnakers halfway to the Beashel Buoy which allowed Sixt and The Rag to stage a very close battle as the pair eased away from Vaikobi.
The young Sixt crew were faultless across the Heads to gain a 20s advantage over Rag & Famish Hotel, followed by Finport Finance, Lazarus, Vaikobi and Balmain, but the n18s teams had to watch as the Marathon leading Cherubs were heading the opposite direction back to the main harbour and the finishing line off Clark Island.
At Clontarf, the experienced Rag & Famish Hotel team managed to gain the lead from Sixt and Finport Finance with only 10s between the three teams. Finport tangled with the rounding mark and lost around 30s and any chance of catching the leader.
The Rag had finally established a clear lead, around 30s, over Sixt at the Fairlight mark and it was obvious that the recently-crowned Australian champion was going to take out the 18 footer section of the Marathon.
The race and the spectacular activities in Steyne Park, adjacent to the League's clubhouse, was a great success and a fine tribute to the administrators of the League, who have spearheaded the club over the past 90 years.