Smeg's 29 years of 18ft Skiff sponsorship success
by Frank Quealey 6 May 22:27 PDT
The Smeg Australia 18ft skiff sponsorship with the Australian 18 footers League began in 1996-97 and has continued harmoniously, with many great successes, over the following twenty nine seasons on Sydney Harbour.
It all began when a Trevor Barnabas-led team raced a skiff named Omega Smeg-2UE and was an instant success when the combination the JJ Giltinan world Championship and NSW Championship in 1997 and 1998.
The team actually won two Giltinan world Championships in 1997 when, for the only time in the championship's history, two regattas were raced during the one calendar year. The second regatta was sailed in Italy during the off-season between the 1996-97 and 1997-98 Australian seasons.
Trevor had previously won two World 18 footer Championship titles, with Chesty Bond in 1987 and 1988, before going into a 'retirement' to support his son Trent, who was beginning to move through the junior sailing classes.
For Barnabas, the success with the Smeg team was even greater as Trent had just turned 18 and graduated to the 18s and, along with Rod Howell, was part of the three championship victories.
The skiff sponsorship continued as Omega Smeg-2UE for the next two seasons, then became Omega Smeg until 2007-08 season, then finally Smeg from 2008-09.
Smeg Australia's reputation for high quality whitegoods products has been matched throughout its 29 years record of achievement on the harbour, and the company has been represented by some of the greatest 18 footer skippers in the 134-year history of the iconic Australian sport.
Smeg-sponsored 18 footer teams have won five JJ Giltinan world Championships, two Australian Championships and three NSW Championship titles.
For the first time, in 2023-24 Smeg sponsored the rookie 18ft skiff team of Nathan McNamara, Jed Cruikshank and Jack Taylor, which were up against some of the most experienced teams of the modern era, but the success of the partnership between Smeg and the Australian 18 Footers League continued as the young team were one of only three teams who won a race, and finished 5th overall, during the nine-race JJ Giltinan world Championship in March.
The Smeg team also won the highly-competitive handicap section of the Giltinan Championship.
Speaking about the 29-year continuous sponsorship of the 18 Footers since 1996, Credit Manager Chris Norman recalls it was the result of a telephone call from John Winning leading up to the start of the 1996-97 season.
"Allan King, the then Commercial Business Manager of SMEG, convinced then Managing Director Jim Woodward that the backdrop of the bridge, opera house and the harbour-front was an ideal opportunity to bring our customers and their partners to lunch in the club, then enjoy the afternoon on the ferry watching the skiffs against the backdrop of the harbour."
"SMEG is a family owned company and the idea of inviting partners was to make them feel they were welcomed into the family. It is not just business with SMEG but a relationship and that extends out from there."
"Nearly every weekend you will find SMEG staff hosting delegates of retailers, designers, architects and builders and their partners in the club for lunch and then onto the ferry."
"SMEG staff and their partners also enjoy socialising and building teamwork by enjoying the dining room before venturing out on the ferry to witness the skiff racing and the harbour in all its glory."
"Over the years SMEG has also had retailer staff participate in the annual Queen of the Harbour as well as our own internal female staff. We have won a few Queen of the Harbour races with both on board over the years."
"This year we decided we wanted to step up our association with the club in terms of marketing and promotion of the SMEG brand, not only on the skiff, but by cross advertising on social media, discounts on purchases for members via the weekly Club Newsletter and showcasing new product releases in the club main lounge."
"The marketing department is now fully immersed into the relationship and we will be looking to build on this next year."
On the racing side of the partnership, "Trevor Barnabas owned the first skiff, which was sponsored by radio station 2UE at the time. Omega was a secondary business for SMEG and so the initial season sails reflected the three sponsors, and the boat raced as Omega Smeg-2UE."
"The idea of the colour red for the skiff was suggested by Trevor because "It stands out against the blue of the sea".
"SMEG has also been fortunate to have legendary sailors on board and won various titles in the process. We have had three generations of the Barnabas family over the years, but were unable to get them all on the skiff in the one season of 2018-19."
"Lee Knapton won the trifecta of the NSW, Australian and World Titles in 2014."
Smeg's most recent JJ Giltinan world Championship victory came in 2021 when Michael Coxon, Ricky Bridge and Trent Barnabas defeated the strong Yandoo-Winning Group team, led by John Winning Jr.
Michael Coxon has nothing but praise for Smeg's involvement and support of the team and the club. "Our team had a great relationship with Smeg. Chris Norman and Paul Johnson were always approachable and certainly made us feel like we were part of their team. They also had the same competitive streak as the crew."
"Smeg's representatives were regular supporters at the club and on the spectator ferry and were always enthusiastic and encouraging."
"We were proud to represent Smeg both in the races and in the park rigging area."
Trent Barnabas holds a wonderful record in Smeg-sponsored skiffs as four of his JJ Giltinan world championship victories, between 1997 and 2021, came in a Smeg team.
He recalls the first season and early seasons, with his father Trevor and Rod Howell, in Omega Smeg-2UE, which won three JJ Giltinan world championships. "From the beginning of our association with Smeg in 1996-97, Allan King and all the Smeg staff were always supportive of our team and we really appreciated it."
"The Smeg staff and their business associates were at the club and on the spectator ferry on race days, which made it so encouraging for sure."
"It was great to win three Giltinan world championships with my father and a huge bonus when I got the opportunity to win another, with Michael Coxon, for Smeg."
Australian 18 Footers League President, John Winning recognises the value of sponsorship in high performance sport and appreciates Smeg Australia's long-running financial involvement with the League and the 18ft Skiff class. "We are delighted with Smeg's long-time sponsorship and the way the company has involved its staff with the club and the racing."
"Smeg was the first whitegoods company to be associated with our club which led to a number of others coming on board. The company deserves all the success that has come its way in the major championships."
Smeg's young 2024-25 season team are not competing next season and it will be interesting to see who will be on board to continue Smeg's long-running success.
Smeg claims its products are "technology with style", its partnership with the League, and the class, is certainly "sponsorship with style".
Smeg's championship record includes:
- Five JJ Giltinan championships - 1997, 1997 (Europe), 1998, 2016, 2021
- Two Australian championships - 2015-16, 2017-18
- Three NSW championships - 1997, 1998, 2017
- Seven Club championships - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2018
For anyone who wants to take a look at Sail Media's action videos from the 2024-25 season, including the 2025 Winnings JJ Giltinan Championship, go to 18footers.com and click on the '18 Footers TV' link.