Nick Press and Andrew Hay from Sail Inc., NSW, have secured the triSearch 12ft Skiff Interdominion Championship on Sydney Harbour with a day to spare by winning both races on the final day of competition.
The first race of the day, Race 8, was decisive. Once Press and Hay clinched that victory, they went on to also take the second race, marking Press’s remarkable 10th Interdominion title and his fourth with Hay. Press’s earlier titles were won with different crew, including Brad Yabsley, who was present during this achievement.
“We’d won it after winning the first race today,” Press noted, expressing both relief and joy given the windy conditions and challenging seaway. The day was described as one where equipment failures were a looming danger.
Press, a descendant of a long line of 12ft skiff sailors from Lane Cove, shared his pride in reaching this milestone, remarking, “I never dreamed I’d win one, let alone 10. I’ve been lucky with the crews I’ve had over the years, and there’s none better than Noddy (Hay).” Hay added, “It feels like a relief, but also a reward, as our scorecard looked nice with five wins out of nine races, plus a second and three thirds.”
The conditions on the water were regarded as the toughest yet in the competition. A strong nor’easter caused numerous spills, with Sail Inc. experiencing their own mishap. Press recounted a capsize during the first work of the second race, while Vallings’ crew reported their own tactical difficulties involving a capsize hidden from competitors.
Press and Hay’s earlier frustrations were evident after they lost a race to C-Tech when Hay’s trapeze wire broke, leading to a capsize. In the second race, the top New Zealand crew of Alex Vallings and Fraser Brown on C-Tech faced their own challenges, losing their lead 200 meters from the finish after a spinnaker mishap.
With only one race left, the standings for second and third places remain competitive. C-Tech leads Geotherm by three points, with Sydney Sailmakers trailing by a further four points.
Amid the excitement, some crews faced retirements due to damage, including Minerva, whose rig failed during a crucial moment of the race, leaving skipper Adam Forbes and crew Peter Bevis frustrated after a series of harrowing days on the water.
The final race of the 63rd Interdominion, hosted by the Australian 18 Footers League, is scheduled for Saturday at 2pm. This prestigious competition, first held in 1957, is an annual highlight for sailors from Australia and New Zealand, vying for the Silasec Trophy. The triSearch sponsorship signifies ongoing support for the event.
https://events.humanitix.com/10-january-12ft-skiff-interdominion-ferry-final-day
Otherwise, take out your own boat or view from land.
For more information on the 12ft Skiff class and events, visit https://www.skiff.org.au/.
Di Pearson/12ft Skiff media
Hashtags: #12ftSkiff #SailingAustralia #SydneyHarbour #InterdominionChampionship #TriSearch
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