14th Novmeber 2008
By Peter Campbell
An extended countback today has resulted in Fifteen (David Clarke & Andrew Smith) being awarded the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s Milson Silver Goblets, one of the most prestigious regattas on the calendar for the International Etchells Sydney Fleet.
Fifteen and Fathom (Rupert Henry) ended up equal points at the end of the five race Spring Twilight Regatta sailed on the Harbour last week, each boat scoring two wins, a second, a fourth and a discard fifth place.
The countback was then decided by which boat beat the other in the final heat, with Fifteen winning that race from Fathom by just 46 seconds to be declared the winner.
During the week, Fathom got the early results on the board with a 1-1-4 score, while Fifteen improved with a 5-4-1. Race four narrowed the contest with Fifteen placing second, Fathom fifth, and going into the final race Fathom was on 10 points, Fifteen on 11. At this stage, the discard for both boats was a fifth.
The final race was virtually a match race between the two, with Fifteen holding on to win from Fathom, sailing in the freshest breeze of the week, a 15-20 knot nor’easter, gusting at times to 25 knots. Third place (and third in the series) in the final heat went to the Pittwater fleet boat Steampacket VI (Bruce Wookey & Rob Brown).
Steampacket VI finished with 12 points followed by another Pittwater fleet entrant, Just a Dash (Julian Plante) on 15 points, Bald Eagle (John Dunn & Glen Nattrass) 19 points, North Sydney Station (Ed & Will McCarthy & Michael Coxon) 20 points and dot (Matt Whitnall) 21 points.
Fifteen’s Milson Silver Goblets win continues an outstanding season with the Sydney Fleet, with boat’s boatspeed significantly lifted by the efforts of Bruce Hollis of Ullman Sails in Sydney.
Next Saturday will be a Squadron Mini Regatta comprising the final three heats in the 12-heat World Qualifying Series to determine the 10 boats from the Sydney fleet eligible to contest the World Championship in Melbourne in March 2009.
After nine heats in the World Qualifying Series, Fifteen and its crew of David Clarke (helm), Andrew (‘Spot’) Smith (mainsheet) and Sean Leonard (bow) have a commanding pointscore lead, having notched up four wins, two seconds and a third place.
The following weekend will be the NSW State Championship for the Etchells, hosted by Gosford Sailing Club on Brisbane Waters.
Further information:
Peter Campbell – 0419 385 028 or peter_campbell@bigpond.com
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