Lost in the Pacific

Concern over 18ft skiff champions' boats

Four of Australia's leading 18ft Skiffs are still missing "at sea" following their competition on the international circuit in UK, Europe and USA.

The Australian champion Total Recall (Tony Hannan) and Omega Smeg (Trevor Barnabas - five times world champion) along with Fisher & Paykel (Grant Rollerson) and Panasonic (John Winning Jnr) were due to return to Sydney at the beginning of October.

One month later and the skiffs have still not arrived from the USA and there is serious doubt about their arrival in time for Sunday's first heat of the Australian selection series.

The six-race regatta, due to start on Sunday, is designed to select the Australian team for the JJ Giltinan (world) Championship to be sailed on Sydney Harbour 2-11 January.

If these skiffs miss selection it will be a tremendous blow to the Australian chances of regaining the title from the American team headed by Howie Hamlin.