Life Members Trophy 19th October 2008

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Sunday 19 October 2008Â

Sydney Harbour

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Active Air-2UE scored an amazing win when she took out her second consecutive victory of the 18ft Skiff season on Sydney Harbour today.

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Matthew Searle, Dan Wilsdon and Archie Massey officially crossed the finish line 51secs ahead of Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) in the Life Members Trophy but the margin doesn't reflect the chaotic nature of the win.

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Active Air-2UE and Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) raced alongside each other down the final leg of the course with each striving to gave the best angle to the line.

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Under the pressure of the situation, Searle appeared to lose site of the finish as he steered Active Air-2UE to the wrong side of the line.

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Just as everything seemed lost, Gotta Love It 7 then capsized as the team gybed to the finish line, leaving Active Air-2UE to calmly sail back and through the line.

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It was one of the most amazing finishes in 18ft Skiff history .

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Southern Cross Constructions (Euan Mc Nicol) finished a further 21secs back in third place with Gotta Love It 7 recovering to take fourth place ahead of Ssangyong Yandoo (John Winning) and Keith Piggin Estate Agents (Peter Morrison).

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The race was sailed in a north east wind which freshened throughout the race.

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Rookie 18ft Skiff skipper Bruce Savage (Thurlow Fisher) sailed well up the first windward leg to lead around the blue buoy, but lost the lead to Fisher & Paykel (Andrew Cuddihy) which gained an advantage around the nearer red buoy.

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Thurlow Fisher capsized on her gybe at the wing mark leaving Fisher & Paykel and Gotta Love It 7 to fight out the lead.

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7 was 20secs ahead of Fisher & Paykel at the end of the first lap with Active Air-2UE a further 45secs back in third place.

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The next group was led by Rag & Famish, although only 10secs separated her from Omega Smeg (Daniel Phillips) Kinder Caring Home Nursing (Brett Van Munster) and Keith Piggin Estate Agents.

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Fisher & Paykel regained the lead at the second set of windward marks but capsized shortly after rounding the red buoy.

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7 again took the lead with Active Air-2UE now in second place.

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For the next two legs of the course the race was a carbon copy of last week's race until the dramatic finish.

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Today's result sheet is attached.

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Frank Quealey

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Australian 18 Footers League