US champion joins Sydney 18 footers fleet

J.J. Giltinan champion (2002 and 2003) Howie Hamlin and U.S. 100ft Maxi Yacht Comanche were on Sydney Harbour last Sunday despite the horrendous storms which battered most sailing classes. 

The ever-professional attitude of Howie Hamlin brought him to Sydney where he recently had brand new North Sails built, apparently, to an Iain Murray design.

This was the first stage of preparations for the 2015 J.J. Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, which will be sailed on Sydney Harbour from 14-22 February.

Howie competed in the Australian 18 Footer League’s Club Championship race by invitation, but the bad weather shortened the hit out when the storms hit midway through the race.

The 100ft Comanche, in Sydney for the Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race, was in the vicinity of the start of the 18 Footer race and showed the enormity of its size alongside the 18ft Skiffs.

– Frank Quealey

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