Thursday, January 7, 2010

SP-HighModulus Australian 18ft Skiff Championship


By Frank Quealey Australian 18 Footers League
Following a three week break over the Christmas-New Year period, the Sydney 18 Footer Season resumes on Sunday when the Australian 18 Footers League conducts Race 1 of the Australian Championship on Sydney Harbour.

The Championship is sponsored by SP-HighModulus, the marine business of Gurit and will be known as “SP-HighModulus Australian 18ft Skiff Championship”. A fleet of 23 teams will line up in the five-race championship, which is also the final lead in to the Giltinan Championship, which begins on Sydney Harbour next month. Race dates for the SP-HighModulus Australian 18ft Skiff Championship are: 10, 17, 24, 26 and 31 January.

Recently crowned NSW champions Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas are likely to start the championship as favourites in Thurlow Fisher-City, however the defending champions Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout will be more than up to the challenge in their Gotta Love It 7 skiff.

Past Australian champions John Winning (Yandoo) and John Harris (Rag & Famish Hotel) are always at the sharp end of the fleet and will also be strong challengers to take the title.
A spectator ferry will follow each race (with the exception of 26 January) leaving Double Bay Wharf, alongside the clubhouse, at 2.15pm (1415 hours). - http://www.18footers.com.au/