Last Saturday marked a successful kickoff for the Manly 13 and 16ft skiff club fleets with a traditional rust-clearing non-pointscore race. A dozen 13-foot skiffs and sixteen 16-foot skiffs took to the water, providing an opportunity for sailors to shake off winter and prepare for this Saturday’s opening short course pointscore race.
In the 16s, Daniel Turner, Gus Williams, and Matt Stenta aimed to impress new sponsors Buckingham Marine, finishing first but receiving an OCS for an early start. This allowed Joel Beashel on IMEI to secure the win, followed by Nathan McNamara’s Geochemical Assessment and Alex Hart’s Typhoon.
Beashel, the youngest skipper at 16 to win the national 16s title last January, continues to rise in prominence. The all-women crew on Queens of Buckingham did not finish but displayed potential for the upcoming season, with skipper Fiona Harris returning from maternity leave alongside Emily Fewster and Annika Mountstephens.
In the 13s, Ash Napper and Theo Franklin resumed their strong performance from last season, leading aboard Buckingham Marine. Lachlan Jansen’s Buck & Simple followed closely in second, with Oliver Ross on IMEI taking third. Newcomers Dive Co, helmed by Hamish and Iain Cameron, also showed promise in their first outing.
Dive Co joins a list of new sponsors supporting the 13s/16s fleet, including Buckingham Marine, Big Foot Sailing, and Geotechnical Assessments, with sponsorship opportunities still available.
Club commodore Michael Childs expressed enthusiasm for the season, noting strong participation with 24 x 16s and 20 x 13ft skiffs expected for Saturday racing. He highlighted the significant growth of the 13ft skiff class, stating, “We boast world-class competitors, coaches, facilities, and location – there’s simply no better place for skiff sailing.”
Manly’s boats are set to feature prominently in upcoming major regattas, including state titles at St George and Middle Harbour in November, followed by nationals at Belmont in January.
Words: Adam Lucius
Photos: Michael Chittenden
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