(Sydney, Australia)- This year’s 2017 New South Wales State Championship
was hosted by the Royal Prince Edward YC and sponsored by Doyle
MacDiarmid Sails. The racing took place on the scenic Felix Bay, just
off Point Piper on the southern shoreline of Sydney Harbour.Keeping the fleet in check and also on their toes to keep up with their feverish pace of running races were the RPEYC PRO duo of Terry Matthews and Adrian Broadbent and the race committee team. Two cold, wet days and tricky weather conditions with shifty breezes was not the easiest for racing, but their herculean efforts were greatly appreciated by the thirteen crews that participated.
In
Australia, they long ago pioneered “handicapping” to their race
results, a bit like golf handicaps where performance is rated and top
boats are “scratch teams” while those in the mid-fleet get a higher
handicap applied to their scores. As a result, the weekend warriors get
their chance to collect some silverware over teams that have pros
aboard. Winning the “Open” division was none other than a long-time stalwart of the Sydney J/24 class, the duo of Sean Kirkjian & Arthur Crothers on the infamous KAOTIC. Taking second was David West’s ACE. And, rounding out the podium in the bronze position was the truly infamous CONVICTS REVENGE, skippered by Stephen Girdis.
As one might expect, none of the top “open” boats are ever a factor in the handicap division, in most cases. Yet, there have been some where boats have won both, but rarely. This years handicap division winners were Janette Syme’s WILDFIRE, she also took the crown as Top Woman Skipper. Second was the trio of Brendan Lee and the Tromps on WATERBORNE AGAIN. Then, taking third was Clinton Hood’s VERTIGO.
This year, the “Women on Water Trophy” (WOW, for short) was awarded to Amanda Williams for her efforts skippering JAGGED EDGE in club races, twilights and regattas, showing determination and relentless enthusiasm during her learning curve. For more Australian J/24 Class sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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