Nick Press and Andrew Hay (Sail Inc., NSW) secured the triSearch 12ft Skiff Interdominion Championship on Sydney Harbour, finishing the competition with a day to spare. The final day’s race determined the remaining podium positions under challenging conditions.
Competitors faced extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees. The shifting breeze that began from the north-west eventually changed to the west, leading to a shortened course. The initially planned three-lap windward/leeward race was reduced to one lap, complicating the final results.
As the final race commenced, Alex Vallings and Fraser Brown (C-Tech, NZL) led the standings by a margin of three points against Brett Hobson and Peter Nicholson (Geotherm, NSW). Vallings’ team finished second in the final race, clinching second overall, while Geotherm dropped to sixth, settling for third overall.
Vallings, a seasoned competitor with multiple Interdominion titles, reflected, “We’re very happy with our second place – we put together a good campaign.” Brown elaborated on the race dynamics, noting the challenging conditions on the left side of the course and a significant wind shift during the race.
Despite a commendable performance with Robbie Polec stepping in for the ailing Pete Nicholson, Hobson described his experience as difficult, stating, “I hated every minute of today, the whole race, one lap. But I am happy with third (overall)… considering the loss of Pete for the last two days and today’s messy race.”
Josh Tasker and Brendan Jenkins from Sydney Sailmakers finished fourth overall, closing the gap on Geotherm. Their performance improved remarkable throughout the regatta, showcasing their potential for future competitions.
Terms & Conditions (Brad Phillips/Oscar Williams, NSW) won the final race and finished fifth overall, just behind Sydney Sailmakers. The competition intensified with multiple teams vying closely for top positions, highlighting the unpredictability of the final race.
Stay Connected Electrical (Jakub Ronowicz/Ben Faulkner, NSW) took home the overall handicap win with the Jack Winning Trophy. Andrew Hay, sailing with Press, secured the Veteran trophy for competitors aged 55 and over.
First overall for Kiwi competitors went to C-Tech, while first-time skipper honours went to Huon Saul, skipper of Hit & Run (NSW), marking them as a team to watch. Australia emerged victorious in the Teams event for the John Brooke Team Trophy, consisting of eight members, which included the top seven from the recent NSW Championship.
Reflecting on the competition, John Williams of Slippery When Wet expressed enthusiasm for the event, praising the reconnecting with competitors from Queensland and New Zealand. Matt Hix from The Darkside noted his enjoyment of the varied conditions during the competition.
The 63rd Interdominion, hosted by the Australian 18 Footers League at Double Bay, continues to celebrate the longstanding sailing rivalry between Australia and New Zealand for the prestigious Silasec Trophy. The 12ft Skiff Association extends gratitude to all participants, especially those who travelled from afar, and looks forward to the next competition.
Special thanks were also given to the Australian 18 Footers League and Double Bay Sailing Club, alongside all the volunteers who supported the event. Full results and further information about the 12ft Skiff class can be found at https://www.skiff.org.au/.
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