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Australia’s
dinghy sailing scene has long been dominated in
speed and development by various skiff classes.
The 16 footers have underpinned
the dramatic and demanding front end of dinghy
sailing with a skiff class that has a solid platform
based on unparalleled administration and club
support, sensible design and development rules,
and a large base of talented sailors and class
stalwarts.
Unlike the 49ers with the
Olympic status, and the 18s and their media attention
around events like to recent Grand Prix and the
current JJ Giltinan titles, the 16 footers have
made their way with simple quiet achievements.
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Lachlan
Alexander and James Naylor in the 13ft
Skiff "Barli Barli".
Photo
by Rod Hozack
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Looking today at the 16 footers
shows a skiff class that is probably the strongest
of all. The class can boast over 130 boats racing
in Australia spread mainly between New South Wales
and Queensland, but with recent showings in Western
Australia and Tasmania.
130 boats is no mean feat,
and makes for dramatic mark rounding’s at
the class’s National Titles. The class’s
success can largely be attributed to an excellent
association that typically makes sound decisions
regarding rig, sail and hull developments which
encourage a balance between speed developments,
and the fairness of a strong competition.
The class is also supported
by a strong club structure. There are seven clubs
in New South Wales, and three or four in Queensland
that host the 16s. All of these clubs contribute
to the class and their future, ensuring good numbers
and great racing. At the class’s last big
peak in the mid 70’s these clubs managed
to field about 450 skiffs around Australia.
More information about the
class can be found on the National Association’s
website at http://www.skiffs.org.au/.
The strong competition the
16s offer has contributed greatly to Australia’s
sailing stocks. Big names in racing such as Iian
Murray, Trevor Barnabas and Peter Sorenson all
have spent time in the class at some point. Peter
Sorenson recently made a comeback to Skiff racing,
and the Middle Harbour 16ft Skiff Club is still
hosting Peter’s wife Marilyn Sorenson as
a regular and fast competitor in her own right.
More recently the class is
proud to have hosted Olympians such as Greg Hyde,
Chris Nicholson and Gary Boyd. Current class stalwart
Bruce Savage had represented Spain at the Barcelona
Olympics.
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16 footer
"Fluid Building Services" sailed
by Clint Bowen, Steve Bowen and Anthony
King.
Photo
by Frank Grundman
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Competitors like Bruce Savage
are expected to appear with their 16s at the Sydney
Flying Squadron’s Brass Monkey Regatta in
late August, and will give most of the other Skiffs
a good run for their money. A lot of the 16s are
crewed by highly talented sailors and boats are
in excellent condition.
Class stalwart and administrator
Michael McMahon is of the opinion that if guys
like Peter Hubble race, they will be able to beat
most of the Skiffs including the 49er and some
of the slower 18 footer crews.
Peter Hubble has spent 20
years in the class and the combination of that
much hard work, mixed with sailing talent and
a good boat is hard to beat. This is evident given
that Peter Hubble won the last 16s National Championship,
with Lee Knapton and Keagan York in his team.
The other dark horse for the
Squaddy Brass Monkey Regatta is the 13ft Skiff.
This is an exciting class for the future of Skiff
sailing and is strongly supported by the 16 footer
class and club.
A rough guess places the 13ft
Skiff as being quicker than the 29er and Cherub.
The 13s are making some modifications during the
off season with the implementation of a carbon
mast, a masthead spinnaker and slight increase
in mast height (100mm) and mainsail size.
This should give them a bit
more of an edge. The 13 footer has beaten both
29er and Cherub at the CHS Regatta at Belmont
over the past few seasons.
Parents should not be frightened
off by the carbon masts etc, as experience in
other Skiff classes shows that whilst the carbon
masts might be dearer to buy up front, they offer
a longer life span and better value for money.
Organisers of the Squaddy
Brass Monkey Regatta are looking forward to seeing
the new 13s at the regatta as it will show people
coming down a big part of the future for intermediate
sailing in Australia.
Luckily for sailors of these
classes they will have opportunity to win a Skiff
Course with Dinghy Solutions Sailing School, which
will help sailors fast track their skills.
Grown Ups in the 16s will
have opportunity to win great prizes from the
Sydney Flying Squadron and Southcorp Wines who
have also come onboard as a sponsor of the event.
For more information about
Dinghy Solution Sailing School’s skiff course,
go to http://www.dinghysolutions.com.au/.
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