18ft Skiff fleet welcomes a new female skipper
by Frank Quealey 7 Sep 2012 08:46 BST
7 September 2012
Father and daughter Adam and Alex South © Frank Quealey
When Alexandra (Alex) South becomes the latest skipper to join the
Australian 18 Footers League fleet for the 2012-2013 18ft Skiff season
on Sydney Harbour she will create history and a lot of interest and
attention when the season gets under way on 14 October.
19-years-old Alex is not only a highly talented sailor with impressive
local and international records, but she also creates history in the
century-old class as she becomes the first daughter of a former
Giltinan champion father to skipper an 18ft Skiff.
Her father, Adam South is a two-times Giltinan (world) 18ft Skiff
champion and currently a coach in the 18s as well as coaching with the
Double Bay Sailing Club.
Alex has been a Member of the Australian Sailing Squad since 2008, has
been a Silver Scholarship holder, NSW Institute of Sport since 2009
and was a Finalist in Yachting Australia Female Sailor of the Year
2010, 2011.
She was placed second in the Laser Radial Australian Olympic Trials
for London 2012 and has been the National Champion on six occasions
between 2006 and 2012. She attended her first World Laser Radial
Championship in 2008 at the age of 14 years.
In 2011, Alex won the World Under-19 Laser Radial Championship and was
second ranked in the Under 21 section. She also won the silver medal
at the World University Games.
Alex realizes the challenge ahead, but is looking forward to her first
season in the 18s.
“I’ve got the best support possible. Dad being a two-time JJ champion
is really helping me make the transition from Olympic sailing to skiff
sailing”.
“It’s definitely a big change. From a Laser, where I’m managing
myself and the logistics of one boat (with arguably minimal rigging
and boat work) to three people, two rigs, a bigger boat and a massive
trailer”
“Dad also coaches Lumix, skippered by Jonathan Whitty, and previously
coached Andy Budgen’s Project One, so I’ve been fortunate enough to
spend a lot of time watching all the different courses and seeing a
few of the danger spots”.
“I’m not looking forward to getting over the top of Shark Island in a
fresh Nor’easterly”.
Adam, who was for’ard hand in the champion ‘Chesty Bond’ team which
won the 1987 and 1988 Giltinan Championships, believes (as a coach)
that Alex has all the attributes to successfully campaign an 18ft
Skiff.
He added: “As her dad, I’m very proud of her ambitions”.
“It’s also very exciting to welcome a female skipper back to the
class. Over my 30+ years of association with the 18ft Skiffs, Alex
ranks now as one of only four female skippers to attempt the 18s
challenge”.
Alex added: “Dad and I talk about all the aspects of the campaign and
try to see the best way we can approach situations in my rookie year”.
“We have to factor a lot into the campaign, like being lighter than
other crews, but we try to compensate for these short comings in other
ways”.
Alex concludes: “I’ve grown up hearing the stories of the 18s days
and I’m looking forward to having some of my own after this season …
because I know all of dad’s off by heart (laughs)”.
Alex is due to announce her team shortly and their first event will be
Race One of the $10,000 3-Buoys Challenge Series on 14 October.