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AUSTRALIAN SKIFFS 1, 2, 3

P&O Nedloyd 45th Interdominion 12' Skiff Championships, Jan 2005

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For the first time in over a decade local skiffs won four out of five spots amongst a fleet of 49, in the 12 Foot Skiff Interdominion Championships on Sydney Harbour. First was Yabba Dabba, sailed by Nick Press and Brad Yabsley second P&O Nedloyd sailed by Jonathan Temple and Richard Jones and third Gizmo sailed by Michael Bochner and Peter Craig. First New Zealand Boat was Nuplex sailed by Alex Vallings and Jeremy Smith in fourth position with Aussie boat Katoomba Adventure Centre sailed by Emmett Lazich and Cameron McDonald fifth.

The revered Silasec Trophy is the pinnacle of skiff achievements, and it's the one that all 12 footers aspire to, but historically it has been dominated by New Zealand, with Australia winning only twice since 1992. This year the Don Brooks Team's Trophy, based on overall team's score remained with New Zealand way by the closet of margins.

The acclaimed regatta is an annual event, held alternatively in Australia and New Zealand each January, and has been running since 1956. This year the event, hosted by The Sydney Flying Squadron, Australia's oldest open boat sailing club, was made up of ten races held over eight days, it featured a strong NZ side, with representatives from Auckland and Wellington, challenging the best of the Australian team made up of the top twelve qualifying boats from NSW and Queensland.

Historically a regatta that was dominated by Australia, the 1990's saw a major shift to New Zealand when hull and sail innovation lifted the boats to new technical levels, adding enormous speed and flexibility to boat handling, giving the Kiwis advantage over the Australian side, resulting in winning the series 11 of 14 times since 1990.

12 foot skiffs, are well known for their speed and exhilerance due to an unlimited sail area, and high-tech hull design and construction techniques. Their reputation is unsurpassed as they are recognised as one the world's most spectacular mono-hulls, which is not surprising since twin trapezes enable the crew to derive enormous righting movements especially in fast breezes.