Twelve Foot Skiff Association

• Home
• About
• History
• Technical
• Interdominions
• Nationals
• States
• Photos
• Calendar
• Links
• Contact
• Chatroom

GA Electrical Co. Parramatta River Championship

Abbotsford 12ft Flying Squadron 5th November 2006

Media - Inner West Weekly Article

Sunday's Upper Harbour Championships had promised a lot. The forecasters had promised a 25 knot peach of a Southerly breeze. Early indications on Sunday  (the trees outside my window) had told me that they had got it right. Sailors arrived at Abbotsford with a look of expectation in their eyes and an extra tight hat on their heads, to find ... ... about 8 knots of rain. The mobile phones were out; Airport 28 knots; Port Jackson 25 knots; Abbotsford: Not a lot of wind followed by an awesome afternoon tea.

Ok, so not a lot of wind is a bit harsh. The breeze would have it’s moments throughout the day but it was never really third sail. If it hadn’t been for the threat of breeze, big sail may have been the call; in fact, Ed Cox in Road Kill did put their hot-looking big rig in. The vast majority ended up with second and in hindsight, this was the right rig on the day.

The fleet was missing a few of the big guns including both Presses, who would have been among the favourites. Nick was off doing some 18 thing, which I gather means standing about in a park and saying “it’s a bit fresh for us today, let’s go enjoy a Latte” while his Dad Murray (always the tougher of the two) was mourning the fact that he’d blown his rudder apart on a cranking 3rd sail kite ride the week before.

The start was in Bedlam Bay, which saw some very odd starts at last years Nationals and again on Sunday. It’s something to do with the angles but from the shore it looks as though the gun goes and everyone heads off in the wrong direction. Jono and Rich in O won the start by a tragically long way. Hot favorite Garde was buried with most of the other challenges. Mention must be made to Jacob Ronowicz and Pete Hill who bolted out of the blocks with Breaking Wind and 24/7 Pest Control respectively occupying second and third (ish) for a slab of the first leg.

Former Abbotsford Club Champion, Peter “Wolfie” Polec, has told skiff.org.au on many occasions that “Abbotsford is a speed course, the fastest boat wins.” I always met this statement with a fair amount of skepticism thinking that the huge changes in wind angle and velocity and the boat handling skills needed on a tight course could see a clever sailor and good crew in a slower boat take the race.

I, in no way want to take anything away from Brett and AJ in Garde but there is no question that Garde was the fastest boat on the course on Sunday. They have got their 2nd rig trucking and the way that Garde caught and then passed Jono and Richard in O sent a tremor through the fleet.

Garde went on to record a two-minute victory on a day that otherwise might have seen a close finish. Jono and Rich were themselves fairly comfortable holding second place, Jono declaring over a post-race savoloy that he was fairly lost as to how he would bridge the gap in pace.

What was interesting was the boats that were fighting it out for third, forth and fifth. Andrew and Brad in Datacall and Spies and Damien in Sirromet have been consistently fast this season and look as if they might have found the speed that would take them from mid-fleet battles to winning races. Both teams have put work into their boats in the off-season and both are sporting some new sails. Datacall earned their third place and win on handicap with a reasonable start and a solid race. Sirromet was forth and second on handicap.

As always, the Abbotsford army was out in force to take care of the skiffies. A special thank you to the lady who provides the teacake year in, year out, the staff of www.skiff.org.au are massive fans of your work. Thanks also to the sponsors, especially G A Electrical Co, those who donated the prizes and starters, without whom the race would not have been possible.

See you all at Sara!

Skiff-Ed