Entries were down this year with just seven skiffs able to compete in all races.
The skiffs enjoyed a variety of conditions for the three races along with the usual challenge in managing the harbour courses, fortunately with no capsizes during this event. Reigning champion Yendys sailed by a very experienced crew had a very consistent series, excelling on the upwind legs, particularly in the last race under full size big rig in an erratic and puffy westerly.
Yendys finished the series on 4 pts (2 wins, 1 second) from The Mistake on 6 pts (1 win, 1 second and 1 third) then Alruth on 9 pts (1 second, 1 third and 1 fourth).
Race 1 was sailed in a fresh 17 – 20 kt NE breeze and run-out tide under no.3 rigs, where Yendys led for the first lap with The Mistake taking the lead at the bottom mark spinnaker drop where they sailed away in the freshening breeze on the final lap for a comfortable win from Yendys and Alruth. Race 2 was sailed in a moderate easterly breeze and run-in tide with Alruth the early leader for the first lap with Yendys moving into first place for the second lap to score the win from Alruth and The Mistake. Race 3 was sailed in a very challenging and at times erratic westerly and run-out tide where Yendys pulled-off a port hand start and was never headed, working the wind shifts to good effect to pull away on the upwind legs for a comfortable win from The Mistake and Britannia.
The Yendys team recruited Barry Watson to take the helm for this event ably supported by regular crew Russell Debney, Don Buckley, Andrew Buckland, Michael Van Stom, with the addition of Andrew Hay, while Diana Bridgford, Ann Prosser and Jack Tang each sailed one race.
The Sydney Flying Squadron is based at Careening Cove and conducts Historic 18 Footer skiff racing on Saturday afternoons from October to March. SFS Website, www.sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Skiff | Skipper | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yendys | Barry Watson | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | The Mistake | John Winning | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Alruth | Alan Robertson | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | Britannia | Ian Smith | 5 | 6 | 3 | 14 |
| 5 | Australia IV | Terry Stewart | 6 | 4 | 5 | 15 |
| 6 | Tangalooma | Neville Turbit | 4 | 7 | 6 | 17 |
| 7 | Australia | Marshall Flanagan | 7 | 5 | 7 | 19 |
| 8 | Top Weight | John Tierney | 10 | 9 | 10 | 29 |
| 9 | Scot | Jamie Watt | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
by Bob Chapman
The Yachting Malta Coastal Race got under way on schedule on Wednesday 14 October, with…
The first Cape 31 Gold Cup got under way in Saint-Tropez today, with Marcus Brennecke's…
Harm Müller Spreer and the crew of his German flagged Platoon Aviation lifted the 2026…
Furio Benussi's Arca has won the Barcolana in Trieste for the fourth consecutive year, with…
While summer's finale is never a great feeling, the season's swan song featured a special…
The Rolex Middle Sea Race offers a rare combination: an extraordinary setting and a challenge…