SYDNEY HARBOUR SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 4

by LEIGH MALONEY on 6 Nov 2000 Talented young Sydney sailor, John Harris, took his 18-foot skiff RAG & FAMISH HOTEL to a four point overall lead in the Sydney Harbour Sprint Championship on Sydney Harbour today.

Crewed by Chris Cleary and Craig Ferris, Harris' RAG & FAMISH posted a 43second victory over John Winning's AMP CENTREPOINT with OMEGA SMEG (Trevor Barnabas) in third place.

Sailing in a light 6-8 knot nor'easterly, the fleet had to weave its way through a myriad of other craft on the Harbour with Harris and Winning in a tight contest from the start. Staying to windward helped on the first work and the RAG wasn't headed at any time, despite the challenges from AMP CENTREPOINT and OMEGA SMEG.

"We changed our jib during the week which seemed to be successful and gave us more horsepower," said a delighted Harris after the race.
"That light breeze has always been our weak point, so to get a win today was a real boost."

Having only its second time on the water, Hugh Stodart's EXPRESS POST was definitely in express mode in the second race of the day, taking a 15 second victory over Malcolm Page's WHO WEEKLY.

With two heats remaining in the Sydney Harbour Sprint Championship, RAG & FAMISH HOTEL leads overall on 5.75 points, with OMEGA SMEG (Trevor Barnabas) second on 9.75; John Winning's AMP CENTREPOINT, 3rd, on 12.75; SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (Andrew Stabback), 4th, 19 points; and Peter Morrison's AVAYA in 5th place on 24 points.