Peter Sorensens final 18ft Skiff Race

WORLD CHAMP SKIPPER CALLS IT A DAY

At 57 years of age and after almost three decades piloting one of the fastest sailing skiffs in the world, Sydney skipper Peter Sorensen has finally called it a day.

In the final event of the Australian 18ft Sailing League season on Sydney Habour yesterday, Sorensen grabbed the tiller of his Citibank Platinum Mastercard skiff for the final time, showing he is still capable matching it with the best, finishing third in a fleet of eighteen.

‘What a fantastic way to go out," Sorensen said after the race.

"I’m going to miss it for sure but I’ll be still around. Nothing compares to the thrill of sailing these things."

Australian sailing has created many great characters, but few larger than Soro.

At the forefront of the technology and development of the 18footers, he won two world titles in 1983 and 1984.

He also has a swag of great stories which live forever.

There was the time his two crew members had a stand-up fist fight on board at the start line. After pulling them apart and missing the start by a minute, they stormed through the fleet to finish 4th. When they returned to shore, both crewmen ended up in hospital, one with a broken hand and one needing several stitches.

And there was the time Soro retired from 18 footers to race yachts. He returned to the skiffs a couple years later saying, "yacht racing was too boring – they had to wake me up to tack."

There are a few who still believe Soro won’t be able to resist the urge and he’ll be back next season, but the man himself says this is it.

"Sailing 18 footers has been a big part of my life but it’s time to step away," he said.

‘The mind wants to race another season but not the body."

Australian 18 Footers League - Results:
Citibank Platinum MasterCard Race

1st AMP CentrePoint              J Winning
2nd Sunday Telegraph             A Saunders
3rd Citibank Platinum MasterCard P Sorensen
4th Cellarmasters                T Hannan
5th Omega Smeg-2UE               T Barnabas
6th Goldfish.com.au              G Turner

More Information: www.18footers.com.au