Appliancesonline set for 18ft Skiff Spring Championship victory
by Frank Quealey 15 Nov 06:40 GMT
15 November 2019
The Australian 18 Footers League's annual Spring Championship, which is raced over unique 3-Buoys courses on Sydney Harbour, and with handicap reviews after each week's racing, regularly ensures a close finish on the final day of the series to determine the champion team.
The 2019-2020 series was shaping up to be no different to the past championships as the fleet went into last Sunday's twin races on the harbour, but all that changed when the appliancesonline.com.au team produced a totally dominant performance to comfortably win both races and virtually seal the 2019-2020 championship victory.
Appliancesonline's team has built up such a lead in the series that the skiff only has to appear at the starting line on Sunday to ensure the title win.
The teamwork of Brett Van Munster, Phil Marshall and Kurt Fatouris was outstanding as they raced ahead of the 16-strong fleet in both races to record wins of 2m22s and 1m34s in the 10-12 knots ESE breeze, which prevailed on the day.
appliancesonline.com.au had incredible boat speed with the big #1 rig. The team were able to build up a lead on the windward legs of the course then extend the margin downwind.
Going into Sunday's last race of the series, appliancesonline.com.au has a total of 18 points, 17 points clear of her nearest rivals The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines (Aron Everett, Courtney Mahar, Charlie Gundy) and Finport Finance (Keagan York, Matt Stenta, Angus Williams), which are both in equal second place on 35 points.
Sean Langman's Noakesailing is fourth placed on 39 points, followed by Yandoo (John Winning) on 47, with Dal Zotto (Jack Sprague) and Rag & Famish Hotel (Bryce Edwards) both on 48 points.
Although the Spring Championship may be decided, Sunday's race in the series won't be any less competitive as the teams continue to build up to the 5-race NSW Championship, which begins on Sydney Harbour the following Sunday (November 24).
All teams must register the new sails they are planning to use over the rest of the championship season, which will add another dimension to the day's racing.
James Dorron's team will be defending their NSW title under its new sponsorship of Shaw & Partners Financial Services, however the consistently good performances by Finport Finance, The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines, Noakesailing and Yandoo throughout the Spring Championship will keep the defending champs on their toes.
Two of the teams still to produce their true form are Winning Group (John Winning Jr.), which has the multi-JJ Giltinan Championship-winning Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton in the crew, and Smeg, which is skippered this season by the 2006-2007 Australian champion Micah Lane.
A still to be launched brand new skiff, Tech2, for Jack Macartney, who is returning to the 18s this season, will be another to also watch, as will The Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone (Jordan Girdis) and Rag & Famish Hotel.
On Sunday, spectators can see all the teams rigging prior to the race, then follow the racing on board the spectator ferry, which leaves Double Bay Wharf, alongside the rigging area at 2pm.
Book online through the club's website www.18footers.com
The Aero Media live broadcast team will also be out on Sydney Harbour to capture all the action for those who can't make it onto the water. The livestreaming is available by going to www.18footers.com and clicking on the '18 Footers TV' link.
As well as watching the livestreaming coverage, you can also follow all the club's racing throughout the entire 2019-2020 Racing Season:
- Club Website - www.18footers.com
- Twitter - @18skiff
- Instagram - @18skiff
- Facebook - International 18Ft Skiff