Wentworth Courier rediscovers winning ways

All the action from heat three of the Sydney Flying Squadron 18 Foot Skiffs series

Ian Pretty and his team of Tony Bailey and Matt Hodgson returned to the winners circle on the 18 footer Wentworth Courier Sydney Weekly on the weekend.

The Sydney Flying Squadron ran a handicap event which saw Wentworth starting from well behind the bulk of the fleet, with other front runners Sydney Star Accommodation and Synergy. But it was fortunate for Pretty and these others that a few of these earlier starters squandered their opportunity.

Other 18 footers from the Sydney Flying Squadron, Avaya and Sign-a-Rama were immediately in trouble. A late start for Avaya put them in the immediate reach of the faster skiffs in the fleet. Similarly a late start, plus an early capsize near the starting line pretty much put Sign-a-Rama out of contention in the opening minutes.

In fairness to Avaya they were without their regular skipper Michael Rynan and had sheet hand Martin Barry as acting helmsman. Barry had difficulty handling the fast and high powered 18 and with after several capsizes Avaya eventually retired.

In the early parts of the race Chris Kameen on Austar got clear ahead and looked to be having a great race however a couple of mistakes allowed the others to catch him. A prawning exercise with the 18’s massive spinnaker resulted in capsize, and then soon after they lost sheet hand David Rogers over the front of their wing, only to drag him astern as they struggled to regain control.

With the slower skiffs unable to assert the benefit of a head start of a handicap race, Wentworth Courier managed to claw its way back through the fleet. Michael Carter’s Synergy was the only skiff looking to threaten Pretty’s claim for the lead, once they had settled into a conservative but proven race strategy.

In a dramatic incident however Carter was caught in a collision with Sprit, the ex-America’s Cup yacht operated by Kookaburra Challenge. Whilst no one was hurt, Synergy suffered significant damage and had to retire to the Sydney Flying Squadron with virtually no centerboard left and shattered port wing.

With Synergy out of the race, Pretty went on to win with Wentworth Courier by several minutes, which was a welcome return to how he started the season.

Another competitor to flaunt the busy harbour traffic was Kameen, who came close to repeating Country Comfort’s famous crash with the Manly Ferry. Kameen from the UK learned a very valuable lesson in simply steering well clear of the massive vessels.

This coming weekend sees the last race for the year before pausing over Christmas. Carter expects to have Synergy back on the water with a few late nights affecting repairs. Spectators on the Squaddy’s ferry will be treated to a race which will see all the GP 18s cracking out of the start line as one. It will be interesting to see if Pretty can repeat his performance, given he’s had a hot and cold season to date. Kameen may be hesitant given his close call on the weekend past.

Results:

1-Wentworth Courier Sydney Weekly (I Pretty)
2-Intercall (M Dubreucq)
3-Austar (C Kameen)
4-Sydney Star Accommodation (M Boyd)
5-Synergy! (M Carter,did not finish)
6-Avaya (M Rynan, did not finish)
7-Sign-a-Rama (S Merrington, did not finish)