State Championships and Interclub Races 2008-09
Port Jackson Championship - 22nd March 2009
It was Gardes day, winning the Port Jackson Championship, but Gemmell sails won the East Coast Championship, finishing ahead of rivals Yabba Dabba.
Most of the fleet were neck and neck up the first work, in the comfortable 2nd rig NorEaster on Sydney Harbour.
Gemmell Sail gained an early but slim lead over Yabba dabba, Andrew Short Marine 3rd, and Garde in 4th, with Panadol Rapid in 5th with a show of blistering speed.
The lead changed twice between Gemmell and Yabba up the first work, and there were several position changes for 3rd and 4th between Garde and ASM.
Garde gained a small jump on Gemmell and Yabba nearing the top mark, and rounded first. Gemmell closely followed and the top two proceeded to pull away from the fleet.
Garde and Gemmell continued to fight it out over the next 2 laps of the course, the 2 skiffs were never troubled by the rest of the fleet. Gemmell lead for a portion of the last work before a tacking Maneuver went wrong and Garde snuck back into the lead. They were not headed again and took the win by 25 seconds.
The battle for 3rd and 4th raged on, but heading to the finish Andrew short marine seemed to have it sown up. However Shark Island would prove to be their undoing, a lull in the breeze behind the island caused a capsize and let Yabba Dabba through for a podium finish.
Foxy Lady Too won the overall East Coast Handicap, again with consistent placing's.
Skiff-Ed