Gotta Love It 7 in the chocolates again

As the Beko 3-Buoys Challenge Series gets underway for the Sydney Harbour 18s

The current Giltinan champion Gotta Love It 7 team of Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage claimed race 1 of the Beko 3-Buoys Challenge Series sailed in a 10-knot southeast wind on Sydney Harbour today.

Gotta Love It 7 was near the lead throughout the race and had to overcome her backmarker status in the 3-buoys handicapping system to score a 1m 40s victory. Second placing went to new Lumix skiff with Jonathan Whitty, Greg Dixon and James Hozak on board.

Asko Appliances, sailed by Marcus Ashley-Jones, Keiran Cowan and Stewart Wells, finished a further 1m17s behind Lumix, with Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) fourth, Fisher & Paykel (Andrew Chapman) fifth and Pure Blonde (Tom Clout) sixth.

Gotta Love It 7 led the fleet to the first set of windward marks but lost the lead when she had to go to the white buoy.

Suddenly Asko Appliances (red buoy) became the new leader ahead of Lumix (blue) as spinnakers were set for the long spinnaker run from Rose Bay to Robertson Point.

Collect (Dave Haseldine) was in the next group with Pure Blonde, Gotta Love It 7, Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney), Mojo Wine (Archie Massey) and Fisher & Paykel.

At the end of the run Asko retained her lead over Lumix while Pure Blonde had moved into third place ahead of Mojo Wine, Gotta Love It 7, Fisher & Paykel and Yandoo (John Winning).

Gotta Love It 7 grabbed the lead at the Clarke Island windward mark from a closely bunched fleet headed by Lumix, Asko, Mojo, Yandoo and Thurlow Fisher. Once in front, the Gotta Love It 7 team managed to increase their lead over the remainder of the course. Even the penalty of two more 3-boys mark roundings couldn’t stop 7 as she powered away from the fleet for a convincing win.

Conditions played a big part through the fleet with many positions fluctuating for several of the top teams. Most affected were Yandoo, Smeg (Nick Press) and Mojo Wine.

Several teams are also still waiting for new sails and masts so the racing will be eve closer in the series as the fleet becomes more settled.

Gotta Love It 7’s win will also come at a price as the skiff will receive a further 3-minutes penalty for her win today.

Full results here