Noakes Blue matches downwind speed against the experienced Smeg team ©Frank QuealeyNoakes Blue team makes a spinnaker run look easy in a North-East wind ©Frank QuealeyThe Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone skippered by Stevphen Quigley ©Frank QuealeySteve Quigley with the young The Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone team ©Frank QuealeyDavid Witt drives Applikancesonline hard off the wind ©Frank QuealeyAnother young team in 2019-20 was Birkenhead Point Marina ©Frank QuealeyNew Zealand's 18ft Skiff Racing Record: C-Tech skipper Alex Vallings has been a leading Kiwi contender for the past decade ©Frank QuealeyNew Zealand's 18ft Skiff Racing Record: Honda Marine on a two-sail reach across Sydney Harbour in 2019 ©Frank QuealeyNew Zealand's 18ft Skiff Racing Record: Honda Marine, spinnaker action in 2019 ©Frank QuealeyStephen Quigley's AEI-Pace Express gave Patrick Corrigan his outright JJ Giltinan World Championship victory in 1996 ©Frank QuealeyPace Express, skippered by David Witt in the early 1990s ©Frank QuealeySouthern Cross, joint champion in 1988 ©Frank QuealeyEmery Worldwide, skippered by twice world champion Howie Hamlin of the USA ©Frank Quealey1996 World Champion Stephen Quigley, seen here with his son Tom, is still heavily involved in the sport as an administrator, coach and parent ©Frank QuealeyThe Kulmar Family - Miles Furniture's spinnaker style ©Frank QuealeyThe Kulmar Family - Miles Furniture wins the start of a championship race in the 1974-75 Season ©Frank QuealeyThe Kulmar Family - Stephen Kulmar with the Giltinan Trophy after Miles Furniture victory in 1976 ©Frank QuealeyThe Kulmar Family - Miles Furniture, 1976 Giltinan champion, upwind on Sydney Harbour ©Frank QuealeyThe Kulmar Family - The winning Miles Furniture after the 1976 JJ victory ©Frank QuealeyThe Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone ©Frank Quealeytech2 ©Frank QuealeyTravelodge New Zealand won the 1974 JJ Giltinan championship ©Frank QuealeyVintec ©Frank QuealeyURM and The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines ©Frank QuealeyBirkenhead Point Marina ©Frank QuealeyRag and Famish Hotel ©Frank QuealeyBird and Bear ©Frank QuealeyShaw and Partners Financial Services ©Frank QuealeyIlve ©Frank QuealeySmeg ©Frank QuealeyFinport Finance ©Frank QuealeyDal Zotto ©Frank QuealeyNoake sailing ©Frank Quealeyappliancesonline.com.au ©Frank QuealeyAeroMedia team get as close to the action as possible to catch Winning Group on a flying spinnaker run ©Frank QuealeySmeg and tech2 are two of the top teams in the League fleet - JJ Giltinan Championship ©Frank QuealeyLee Knapton's 2016 JJ Giltinan Championship champion Smeg on a southerly spinnaker run ©Frank QuealeyNew sponsor URM's skiff in battle with The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines on Sydney Harbour during the JJ Giltinan Championship ©Frank QuealeyShaw and Partners Financial Services skiff improved over the season under the former Australian champion skipper James Dorron - JJ Giltinan Championship ©Frank QuealeySteve Quigley's 1996 JJ Giltinan World Champion AEI-Pace Express ©Frank QuealeyClose fleet racing during the 2019- Season - JJ Giltinan Championship ©Frank QuealeyLeague club President John Winning's 2000 JJ Giltinan Championship-winning AMP Centrepoint ©Frank QuealeyNew sponsor Bird and Bear scored a race win at the JJ Giltinan Championship ©Frank QuealeyBirkenhead Point Marina, one of the new sponsors attracted to the League 18s - JJ Giltinan Championship ©Frank QuealeyAeroMedia Live Broadcast video team during the JJ Giltinan Championship ©Frank QuealeyLegendry USA skipper Howie Hamlin won two JJ Giltinan Championships with this skiff in 2002 and 2003 ©Frank QuealeyNew Zealand's Honda Marine is the current Giltinan world champion ©Frank QuealeyDe'Longhi-Rabbitohs crew with sponsors wearing the famous South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League jersey ©Frank QuealeyFamous 'rabbit' logo of the South Sydney Rugby League team was well represented in the 18s just a few years ago ©Frank QuealeySouth Sydney Rabbitohs Squad with the JJ Giltinan Trophy ©Frank QuealeyNew Zealand's C-Tech on the spinnaker run into Rose Bay ©Frank Quealey
The Australian 18 Footers League has long had a policy of introducing new and young teams into its fleet to ensure the continued growth and quality of the club’s 85-year-old tradition of 18ft Skiff Racing on Sydney Harbour.
It comes as no surprise that the League’s administrators have launched an initiative to entice a new group into the class as it moves into the new decade, and they are taking applications now for the 2020 season.
Over the past 20 years, the club’s racing has produced numerous world, Olympic and several international champions as well as crew members for winning America’s Cup teams.
The experience gained from sailing the high-performance 18ft Skiffs has also given many sailors the opportunity of competing on the best international ocean racing yachts.
Australian 18 Footers League Director Stephen Quigley, is the 1996 Giltinan world 18ft Skiff champion, a crew member of the Sydney-Hobart super yacht Wild Oats XI team, and recently one of the most successful junior sailing coaches for young sailors joining the 18s fleet.
Steve says: “we see our 2020 program as one that will be beneficial to the ongoing strength of the League as well as being a wonderful opportunity for many new individuals and teams to enjoy the thrills of sailing the flying 18s.”
“Where else can you get the keys to a F1 boat to sail every Sunday on Sydney Harbour for FREE.”
“We are specifically looking for two, or possibly even three, new teams for our 2020 fleet and are calling for expressions of interest from three-person teams to take on a fully sponsored boat.”
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for 29er or 13ft skiff youth teams or 49er Olympic aspirants, to develop their skills as they experience the unbridled thrill of racing an 18 on Sydney Harbour, and become a part of the sport’s rich history.”
David Witt, who has competed in multiple Volvo Ocean Races, sailed in the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Race, appeared in over 20 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Races, skippered the 100ft super maxi Scallywag, and is the skipper of Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, is a huge supporter.
According to David, “no matter what size or class of boat I sail, I will always be an 18ft skiff sailor. It’s the best class, best yacht club, and best harbour racing in the world.”
One of the most recent newcomers to the 18s is Yvette Heritage, who joined the Australian 18 Footers League fleet in the 2018-2019 Season and showed her ability with some excellent results in the 2019-2020 Season. She has also fitted perfectly into the competitor group, and is enjoying her experience in the 18s.
“For me, the 18s community has been a very welcoming and supportive experience. From the day I asked Woody (John Winning) for a boat to see if we could do it, to boat setup and coaching assistance, to competing in Lake Garda, our first season in the 18s was an amazing experience.”
“With the continued support of the 18s club, and sponsor Noakes, my second season with a new boat and crew was an even greater learning experience, where we finished with a couple of top 10s in the JJs.”
“The 18s has been an amazing opportunity to sail with, and learn from, some of the best sailors around. I highly recommend anyone thinking about joining the 18s to grab this opportunity, because they only exist if you take them.”
The club’s racing is covered through the various areas of yachting media. Live video streaming to the world, also offers individuals or teams the potential to promote their talents.
All prospective teams should apply to Lisa Gilbert, lisa@18footers.com, with a sailing resume, details of the team, and why the club should choose the team.
The club will favourably view video entries, so anyone wanting to join the glamour and excitement of 18ft Skiff Racing on Sydney Harbour should contact Lisa now.
by Frank Quealey
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