Inters 2007

47th Interdominion 12' Skiff Championships, Jan 2007

Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Victoria

The Sydney crew of Emmett Lazich and Cameron McDonald (CST Composites) won the final Race 8 to take out the 12ft skiff Interdominion crown at the International Skiff Regatta hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club today, however New Zealand retains the Teams trophy for the 10th year running.

A former multiple Moth world champion, Lazich, who is also a successful 49er sailor and coach, won the first three races of the series and backed up with a win today with McDonald to beat their nearest rivals throughout the regatta, the well-sailed Kiwi crew of Chris Reid and Alex Vallings (Nuplex Maersk). Vallings, the defending skipper from 2005-2006.

Reid, who is in his rookie season as skipper, won Races 4 and 7, with a second in Race 2 and finishing second to the CST Composite crew today. It was appropriate that the top two of the series finished their day in those positions.

Commenting on their second place, a philosophical Reid said: “Now we’ll have to come back!” He went on to say: “It’s been a fantastic event with good close racing.”

Behind Reid, came a further two New Zealand entries, that of Nathan Bax/Alex Hinton (Bax Contractors) and National champions Hamish Hey/Mike Candy (Nice Action). Because of their actions, the New Zealanders cart of the Teams prize. The Kiwis have always proved hard to beat and this time proved no different.

One of two only Queensland entries, Paul O’Malley-Jones//Richard Billett (Gob Smacked Dwarves) did an incredible job to come home fourth overall. There are few Queensland 12s racing right now, so the two deserve big accolades.

Lazich and McDonald led the final race from start to finish, with the Nuplex Maersk duo in second place all day; none of the other entries bothered either one of them around the triangle and two windward/leeward course, with racing getting underway at 2.00pm this afternoon.

A Sydneysider, Lazich has been heavily involved in research and development, trying to fine tune his 12 footer down to a two-rig job, which apparently paid off in this series. His and CST Composite’s work is ongoing.

Under overcast skies with rain falling for their entire race, the 30-boat fleet representing NSW, Queensland, Victoria and New Zealand experienced gusty and shifty conditions at the Sail Melbourne event raced on Corio Bay.

Winds kicked in to 12-18 knots, increasing to 20 plus on the reach. By the last leg of the course, breezes had died to 5-8 knots.

Next year’s Interdominion will be sailed in New Zealand.

Di Pearson

Pre Event Press Release

Australian Team

1 - Garde
2 - O
3 - Gizmo
4 - Geotherm
5 - Woof
6 - Datacall
7 - Acer
8 - Sirromet

9 - East Coast Geotechnical (QLD)
Res 1 - BAYS
Res 2 - Vantage Real Estate
Res 3 - Kiroshi

Preliminary Schedule of Events:

January

12th Fri - Invitation Race

13th Sat - Heat 1

14th Sun - Heat 2 & 3