 Sunday, 8 February 2009 Â
Sydney HarbourÂ
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Former Giltinan champions Euan Mc Nicol, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas showed their skills to perfection when they brought Southern Cross Constructions home the winner of Race 12 of the Australian 18 Footer League's Club Championship. The talented trio was superb in the 20-25 knot North East wind which prevailed on Sydney Harbour today.
 Southern Cross Constructions went into the lead immediately after the start and was never headed throughout the entire course to defeat the Australian champion Gotta Love It 7 team led by Seve Jarvin.
 While the final margin was just 18s there was never any likelihood of defeat as the leading margin was always more than 30s.
 Third placing today went to the British Project Racing team (Andy Budgen) which finished a further 1m26s behind Gotta Love It 7.
 The consistency of Gotta Love It 7 has enabled the team to retain a clear margin on the points table.
 Gotta Love It 7 has 33.1 points, followed by Southern Cross Constructions on 50 and Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) on 65.2 points.
 The race to the first windward mark saw a tough battle between Southern Cross and Rag & Famish, with Project Racing and Gotta Love It 7 in hot pursuit.
 Southern Cross held a 30s lead at the Beashel Buoy from Rag & Famish and Gotta Love It 7.
 Positions remained unchanged downwind for the first four placings as Southern Cross Constructions eased out to 35s at the bottom mark.
 Active Air-2UE (Matthew Searle) led the chasing group in fifth place, followed by Fisher & Paykel (Andrew Cuddihy) and Yandoo (John Winning).
 Rag & Famish Hotel's challenge ended on the second spinnaker run when she capsized midway down the course.
 Followers were treated to plenty of excitement as the skiff narrowly missed the spectator ferry and a cruising yacht before the capsize.
 The race was a good workout for all crews as they prepare for the Giltinan Championshp, which begins on Sydney Harbour next Friday.
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Frank Quealey
 Australian 18 Footers League
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