Round three to Stodart

A report from the latest 18ft skiff racing in Sydney Harbour

Hugh Stodart's Asko Appliances became the third winner from as many heats when she took out Heat 3 of the Asko NSW 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today.

Asko Appliances took the honours by 37secs from Club Marine (Euan Mc Nicol) with Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) a further 41secs back in third place. Despite finishing only fourth today Casio Seapathfinder leads the pointscore on 6.75 points, followed by Omega Smeg on 10.75 and Rag & Famish on 12.

Today's race began dramatically with several boats involved in near collisions at the start. Club Marine came out worst of all and capsized only seconds after crossing the start line.

In a light, patchy SE breeze to the windward mark Rag & Famish grabbed a narrow lead over Casio with Asko third then Maytag and Computer Associates. Downwind The Rag increased her lead but now Club Marine had remarkably moved into second place after the earler capsize.

Rag & Famish continued to lead for the next two legs of the course before losing her advantage to Asko at the Rose Bay mark. Once in front Asko's lead pointed to a certain victory as she approached the final rounding mark. Inexplicably, Stodart and his crew went around the mark in the wrong direction allowing both Rag & Famish and Club Marine to get within striking distance.

The three skiffs staged a tight tacking duel to the finish with the Asko team again showing their superior boat speed and tactics.

Results:

Pos	Boat	Elapsed Time	Handicap Place	NSW Points
1	Asko Appliances	1:58;46	1st	12.75
2	Club Marine	1:59;23	2nd	18
3	Rag & Famish Hotel	2:00;04	4th	12 (3rd)
4	Casio Seapathfinder		8th	6.75 (1st)
5	Team Morrison		3rd	47
6	Yandoo		6th=	21
7	Omega Smeg		11th	10.75 (2nd)
8	Maytag		12th	20
9	Churchills Sports Bar		5th	34
10	AAPT		15th	70
11	SX Projects		6th=	29
12	Computer Associates		13th	23
13	Fisher & Paykel		9th	33
14	CST Composites		10th	35
15	Team Pomfret		14th	39
16	Belle Property		17th	41
17	Panasonic		16th	42
18	Aristocrat		18th	60
19	Rosemount	Non-starter		62
20	Adtec	Non-starter		90