State Championships and Interclub Races 2010-11
Port Jackson Championship - 20th December 2011
A 25 knot…….Easterly?
Garde took out the 2011 Port Jackson Championship, from LCC and Gemmell Sails.
Garde led from start to finish, but were given a scare by LCC who found some great speed on the final work.
The story of the day, and a big highlight for all, was the 25+ knot easterly that was blasting across the harbour. What started as a rainy and miserable Sydney day, and no doubt had most crews assuming it would be a light wind "big rig" day, turned out to be a welcome surprise.
All skiffs went with 3rd rigs, with the knowledge that some gusts were going to be top of the range, but there were also some big holes in the breeze to go with it.
The top mark was tucked right up in Rose Bay, and was a real battle to get too. But once rounded, the heavy gusts coming off the shore and the very flat water, made for some fantastically fast spinnaker rides all the way Garden Island.
LCC chased Garde all day, but couldn't close the 25 second gap, which they maintained for the entire 3 lap race. Gemmell Sails reeled in LCC at the shifty top mark approach on the last lap, but couldn't capitalize.
Vantage Real Estate picked up 4th place, and for their great performance took out the handicap.
Skiff-Ed
State Championships
Heat 5 & 6 Report - Dimensions Day
Dimension Polyant made it another 2 wins from 2 starts today, to claim the overall victory in the State Championships.
Heat 5 was sailed in a light and variable Easterly, which shifted to the Noreast mid race.
Garde led at the first turn, but were soon overtaken by Dimension, and Gemmell Sails, on the down wind leg, both boats donning their big rigs.
As the breeze shift, passing lanes became non existent, and Dimension went on to record their 4th win of the series.
The course was moved for heat 6 to accommodate for the now noreast breeze.
Garde again lead at the first mark from Dimension, but in a replay of the
previous race, both Dimension and Gemmell would overtake downwind. However
this time Garde were able to keep pace with Gemmell and snuck back in front
to hold 2nd place by a slender margin at the bottom mark.
Dimesion extended their lead up the final work and went on to record a comfortable heat, and series, win.
Garde held off Gemmell up the final work, and short down wind to the finish. This meant they claimed 2nd overall, with Gemmell Sails picking up 3rd.
The Australian Team to take on the kiwis at the up coming interdomions in January will be announced shortly.
Thank you to Lane Cove, Abbotsford and Woollahra Sailing Clubs, and all their volunteers, for hosting all the State Championships.
Skiff-Ed.
Heat 4 Report
Nick Press and Brad Yabsley in Dimension Polyant tightened their grip on the state championships by winning heat 4 at Woollahra Sailing Club.
All but a few skiffs opted for their second rig after much deliberation.
Off the start and up the first work the breeze was a little softer than expected. Garde and Gemmell Sails were neck and neck up the first work, and were clear ahead of the rest of the pack at the first mark rounding.
Gemmell sails opened a 10 second lead over Garde at the bottom mark rounding.
The breeze freshened for the second work of the race, which saw Dimension Polyant come steaming through the fleet to pull ahead of Garde and into second place behind Gemmell Sails.
The lead pair pulled further away on the square run to the bottom mark, but both had a capsize during a jibe just prior to round the mark.
This allowed Garde to hit the lead before the final work to the top mark at Neilson Park. However Dimension Polyant were not about to roll over. They again came storming back to pip Garde right at the mark rounding. They went mistake free on the short spinnaker run to the finish to hold off Garde by 11 seconds, with Gemmell Sails maintaining 3rd, a further 25 seconds back.
With 2 races to go, a quick calculation shows that Dimension only needs to win one more heat, and finish in the top 5 in the other, to wrap up the series.
Skiff Ed
After Heat 3
Heat 1 & 2 report
And more Carnage
Nick Press and Brad Yabsley sailing Dimension Polyant made a perfect start to the NSW 12ft Skiff State Championships on Saturday, recording 2 wins from 2 starts. Though it wasn't all smooth sailing.
A stiff noreaster blasted across the upper harbour area, and had a few of the crews looking a little nervous, especially due to the large number of other boats in the area. Garde (Brett Hobson and Alex Johnson) got a small early lead from Dimension, with Gemmell Sailing (Murray Press and Ben Gemmell), and Lincoln Crowne (Jonathon Temple and Richard Jones) following closely in 3rd and 4th.
Garde held their lead around the first mark. Dimension picked up a favourable gust early on the spinnaker run to reel in Garde. Both boats had to drop spinnakers to sail above Cockatoo Island.
At the bottom mark round, Garde held a boat length lead over Dimension. LCC was managing to hold off Gemmell Sails as they rounded the bottom mark. Back in the fleet, many boats had retired early as the breeze had strengthening, and went ashore to change to smaller rigs in preparation for the second race.
Dimension grabbed the lead on the short work to Valencia St mark, rolling over the top of Garde, showing great speed in the fresh conditions. The two boats remained neck and neck during the next 2 mark roundings.
Gemmell Sails and LCC were also having a battle of their own for 3rd place. Gemmell Sails taking clear 3rd place after LCC capsized on the downwind run to Birchgrove.
Dimension sealed the deal on the first race, when Garde were knocked over by and strong gust on the final work to Manns Pt. The result was a quick capsize, but allowed Dimension a comfortable victory.
Heat two got underway soon after, with some skiff now sporting their smallest rigs.
Off the start and up the first work, the lead bunch were much closer than heat one, with Dimension, Gemmell Sails, Garde and LCC rounding the top mark almost simultaneous. Garde was the first to come unstuck, capsizing backwards on the spinnaker run. LCC soon followed, after a rush spinnaker drop, the spinnaker jumped back out of the boat whilst they were trying to round the Island, causing a capsize. Gemmell Sails almost made it to the bottom mark, but also capsized whilst dropping the spinnaker.
CST (Robert Bell), running in 5th place down this first spinnaker run, had a classic "mine', this perfect nose dive showed witness the entire hull out of the water, in a vertical position, supported by the nose.
Foxy Lady Too (Peter Pollec and Jamie McCrudden) capsized in a similar location, and in a disastrous sequence of events, was run over by a large sailing ship. The outcome was not a favourable one, with the skiff being totally cut in half, and much of the rigging not salvageable. Both skipper and crew were not injured in the accident, jumping clear of their capsized skiff second before impact. The ship continued down the harbour with Foxy Lady Too stuck on its bow, leaving witness to wonder if the skipper had even seen or notice the crash.
This is a very disappointing incident for Foxy Lady Too, the 18 year old boat has had countless hours of work done on it in the last year, and was starting to show some good pace, with many club wins and handicap victory's.
With the race continuing on, Garde had moved into second place at the bottom mark round, from Dimension Polyant. Dimension capsized up the next work giving way to another skiff, and allowed Garde to take the lead. However it would be short lived, as they too would find themselves on their side.
Dimensions lead was never again threatened and they went on to record another win.
Garde, who were looking comfortable in second place, broke the tip of their mast 400meters from the finish line. They managed to limp across the line, but not before Gemmell and LCC overtook, Gemmell Sails again coming up trumps after another fearsome battle with LCC throughout the race.
Heat 3 will be held tomorrow at Abbotsford, with heats 4, 5 and 6 at Woollahra on the 11th and 12th December.
Skiff-Ed
Parramatta River Championship - 7th November 2010
Gemmell Sails Survives Carnage
Murray Press and Ben Gemmell managed to avoid some early carnage on the first down wind leg of the Parramatta River Championship, to go on a record a comfortable victory.
The Garde crew of Brett Hobson & Alex Johnson in their new skiff picked up 2nd from LCC (Jonathon Temple & Richard Jones) in 3rd.
Panadol Rapid (Andrew OBrien & Alan Jackson) took out the handicap, with Gemmell Sails 2nd, and Hey Charger (Nick Bernard & Robbie Polec) 3rd.
Off the start 4 boats tangled for the lead, with Dimension Polyant (Nick Press and Brad Yabsley) and Garde alternating at the front, and Gemmell sail and LCC snapping at their heals.
Dimension rounded the top mark first, from Gemmell and Garde. With a shift in the breeze to the east, Dimension, Garde, LCC and Gemmell soon found themselves battling to sail above one of the cardinal marks of the river. Dimensions spinnaker got a little too close to the mark and became snags, broke off at the edge tape and caused them to capsize. Garde succumbed to a similar fate, managing to capsize between the mark and Dimension Polyant. LCC was next in line, but was unable to sail above the capsized Dimension, or below Garde. Picking a line between the two proved unsuccessful, clipping Garde's bow pole on the way through they soon found themselves on their side next to Dimension and became tangled.
Gemmell were able to foresee this incident and picked a higher line to avoid the carnage. With an already small lead over the rest of the pack, they continued on to sail a clean, no mistakes race. They built on their lead over the next 2 laps of the race to win by a comfortable margin.
LCC were first to pick up the pieces after the collision and chase the pack. Dimension were forced to retire with a torn spinnaker.
The battle for 2nd place was now a close one between Foxy Lady Too (Peter Polec & Jamie McCrudden) and Andrew Short Marine (Micheal Spies and Damien Vlotman). Foxy eventually winning out after a quick dip from ASM on the second lap.
LCC and Garde preceded to make their way back through the fleet and jump up to 2nd and 3rd at the start of the final lap. The pair exchanged places till Garde got the jump at the mark rounding and held on to finish 2nd.
Skiff-Ed
Skiff |
H'cap |
Finish |
Place |
Adjusted |
H Place |
Gemmell Sails |
6:00 |
16:04:13 |
1 |
3:58:13 |
2 |
Garde |
0:00 |
16:07:57 |
2 |
4:07:57 |
9 |
Lincoln Crowne |
6:00 |
16:08:27 |
3 |
4:02:27 |
4 |
Foxy Lady Too |
7:00 |
16:12:01 |
4 |
4:05:01 |
5 |
Andrew Short Marine |
5:00 |
16:12:39 |
5 |
4:07:39 |
8 |
Hey Charger! |
17:00 |
16:16:16 |
6 |
3:59:16 |
3 |
Panadol Rapid |
20:00 |
16:16:37 |
7 |
3:56:37 |
1 |
Maersk |
13:00 |
16:19:22 |
8 |
4:06:22 |
6 |
Geotherm |
15:00 |
16:21:35 |
9 |
4:06:35 |
7 |
D Unit |
13:00 |
16:22:18 |
10 |
4:09:18 |
10 |
Pennyliss |
15:00 |
16:51:54 |
11 |
4:36:54 |
11 |
Dimension Polyant |
3:00 |
DNF |
|
|
|
Vantage Real Estate |
13:00 |
DNF |
|
|
|
Arrogant Frog |
15:00 |
DNF |
|
|
|
CST Composites |
7:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Dipolar Software |
15:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Hood |
29:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Karoshi |
15:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
www.skiff.org.au |
21:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
At Call Powered by Bainbridge International |
0:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Barking Mad |
30:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Cunning Stunts |
10:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Gizmo |
10:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Madonna |
30:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Rip, Rack, Roar & Rumble |
29:00 |
DNS |
|
|
|
Upper Harbour Championship - 9th October 2010
Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club- East Coast Championship Heat 2
Victory for Garde at 12ft skiff Vantage Real Estate Upper Harbour Championship
In a prelude to the prestigious 12ft Skiff Interdominion Championship to be held in January, the current national champion, Garde (Brett Hobson/Alex Johnson), has taken out the Vantage Real Estate Upper Harbour Championship sailed on the Parramatta River today.
While D Unit (Adam Forbes/Richard Johns) was quickest off the start line after two general recalls due to a big tide, Garde got away reasonably well and had a blinder to establish a lead up the first work of the long easterly course on the upper part of Sydney Harbour. Hobson and Johnson were never threatened after that that and came home in fast fashion to claim the Championship.
The Lincoln Crowne crew of Jonathan Temple/Richard Jones were second overall, while Michael Spies/Damien Vlotman sailed Andrew Short Marine to third place in what Spies described as “a light and shifty race,” with a predominantly 6-7 knot north-easterly breeze testing all crews.
Reigning Interdominion champions, Nick Press and Brad Yabsley (Dimension Polyant) finished fourth overall and will be on the start line to defend their title in January.
Like a few others, Dimension Polyant see-sawed up and down the top placings, Michael Spies recalling how second to eighth places changed with monotonous regularity: “It was hard to keep track because the places changed so often, but that shows how close racing will be when the Interdominions are on,” he said.
Today’s course and course area are those that will be used at the Interdominion from 6-15 January, was shortened at the Drummoyne mark due to fading winds, but everyone got a good workout nevertheless.
“Despite the day being a long an unexciting one, but it was a good trial for race management and all crews in the lead-up to the Interdominions and we feel confident it (the Interdominions) will be a success,” Spies stated.
Today’s event was the official Australian test event for the Interdominion Championship, so Garde’s win was an important one and good training for all the Aussie crews who will contest the upcoming Interdominions, which is alternately hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club is hosting the 51st Interdominions, to be held from 6-15 January 2011, with the co-operation of Hunters Hill Sailing Club, which is generously loaning its facilities for the event.
Some famous names have won the Interdominions, including Aussies Dave Porter, John Winning and Iain Murray, and Kiwis John Chapple (three times) and Bruce Farr (the noted yacht designer).
Included in the Interdominion Championship week will be a 12ft skiff reunion to be hosted by Lane Cove 12ft SSC on Friday January7 at the Hunters Hill Sailing Club, following on from the first successful reunion hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron last year.
For further information on the reunion or to RSVP, please email: Lane Cove 12'SSC at: 12Footers@lc12ftssc.org.au
Further information on today’s race and the Interdominion Championship at: www.skiff.org.au/
Di Pearson, 12ft skiff media
| Skiff | H'cap |
Finish |
Place |
Adjusted |
H Place |
| Garde | 0:00 |
16:36:54 |
1 |
4:36:54 |
1 |
| Lincoln Crowne | 3:00 |
16:43:02 |
2 |
4:40:02 |
7 |
| Andrew Short Marine | 2:00 |
16:43:11 |
3 |
4:41:11 |
10 |
| Dimension Polyant | 0:00 |
16:43:28 |
4 |
4:43:28 |
12 |
| Foxy Lady Too | 6:00 |
16:43:30 |
5 |
4:37:30 |
2 |
| Gemmell Sails | 3:00 |
16:43:39 |
6 |
4:40:39 |
8 |
| CST Composites | 4:00 |
16:46:22 |
7 |
4:42:22 |
11 |
| Maersk | 10:00 |
16:48:00 |
8 |
4:38:00 |
4 |
| D Unit | 11:00 |
16:48:39 |
9 |
4:37:39 |
3 |
| Dipolar Software | 12:00 |
16:52:52 |
10 |
4:40:52 |
9 |
| Hey Charger! | 14:00 |
16:53:40 |
11 |
4:39:40 |
6 |
| Panadol Rapid | 17:00 |
16:55:04 |
12 |
4:38:04 |
5 |
| Karoshi | 12:00 |
DNF |
|||
| www.skiff.org.au | 18:00 |
DNF |
|||
| Hood | 26:00 |
DNF |
|||
| Pennyliss | 0:00 |
DNF |
|||
| Geotherm | 12:00 |
DNF |
|||
| Vantage Real Estate | 17:00 |
DNS |
|||
| Madonna | 30:00 |
DNS |
|||
| Rip, Rack, Roar & Rumble | 29:00 |
DNS |
|||
| Cunning Stunts | 10:00 |
DNS |
|||
| Gizmo | 10:00 |
DNS |
|||
| At Call Powered by Bainbridge International | 0:00 |
DNS |
|||
| Barking Mad | 30:00 |
DNS |
Brisbane Water Championship - 19th September 2010
Saratoga Sailing Club - East Coast Championship Heat 1
| Skiff | H'cap | Finish | Place | Adjusted |
H Place |
| Andrew Short Marine | 3:00 | 15:50:38 | 1 | 3:47:38 |
3 |
| Gemmell Sails | 3:00 | 15:53:03 | 2 | 3:50:03 |
4 |
| CST Composites | 6:00 | 15:53:08 | 3 | 3:47:08 |
2 |
| Foxy Lady Too | 9:00 | 15:53:15 | 4 | 3:44:15 |
1 |
| Garde | 0:00 | 15:55:12 | 5 | 3:55:12 |
6 |
| Dimension Polyant | 0:00 | 15:56:36 | 6 | 3:56:36 |
7 |
| Hey Charger! | 14:00 | 16:06:19 | 7 | 3:52:19 |
5 |
| Thistle Hill | 11:00 | 16:08:16 | 8 | 3:57:16 |
8 |
| Karoshi | 11:00 | 16:10:12 | 9 | 3:59:12 |
9 |
| www.skiff.org.au | 18:00 | 16:18:01 | 10 | 4:00:01 |
10 |
| Lincoln Crowne | 3:00 | DNS | |||
| Maersk | 10:00 | DNS | |||
| Panadol Rapid | 17:00 | DNS | |||
| Dipolar Software | 12:00 | DNS | |||
| Vantage Real Estate | 17:00 | DNS | |||
| Hood | 26:00 | DNS | |||
| Lane Cove Framing | 30:00 | DNS | |||
| Pennyliss | 0:00 | DNS | |||
| Rip, Rack, Roar & Rumble | 29:00 | DNS | |||
| Geotherm | 12:00 | DNS | |||
| Cunning Stunts | 10:00 | DNS | |||
| Gizmo | 10:00 | DNS | |||
| At Call Powered by Bainbridge International | 0:00 | DNS | |||
| Barking Mad | 30:00 | DNS |