Bryden's look to seal Australian 16ft Skiff National Titles
by Megan Fitzgerald 9 Jan 2014 22:25 PST
5-11 January 2014
A win for 16ft Skiff boat 'Bryden's Lawyers' today will seal the 2014 16ft Skiff National Championship for the crew, who have won each of the five heats that have been sailed to date.
The 2014 16ft Skiff National Championships, being hosted by the Drummoyne Sailing Club, has already seen five heats sailed with the six and seventh heat to be sailed today and tomorrow.
Heat 3, sailed on Tuesday was won by Bryden's crew, followed by Sutech Building Consultants (skipped by Daniel Turner), Fire Stopping (skippered by Declan Reilly), Fluid Building (skippered by Clint Bowen) and Southern Beaches Rugby (skippered by Rod Carter).
Heat 4, also sailed later in the day on Tuesday, was won by the Bryden's crew followed by Altis Consulting (skippered by Phillip Cooke), Sutech Building Consultants (skippered by Daniel Turner), Box Rule (skippered by Daniel Watterson) and Fluid Building (skippered by Clint Bowen).
Yesterday, heat 5 saw Empty Jets, Altis and Southern Beaches Rugby lead for the first three marks before Brydens Lawyers, Fluid Building and Sutech Building Consultants closed in on the leaders.
The final placings for heat 5 were Byrden's Lawyers, Fluid Building, Sutech Building Consultants, Box Rule and Altis Consulting.
Going into heat 6, the top ten boats on scratch are Brydens Lawyers, Fluid Building, Sutech Building Consultants, Altis Consulting, Hubble Cleaning Solutions, Box Rule, Empty Jets, Fire Stopping, South Steyne and Ross Bell Electrical.
Going into heat 6, the top ten boats on handicap are RW Retail, Box Rule, Ross Bell Electrical, Eric's Removals, Shead, Waterway Constructions, Water Wisdom, Netkiosk, Lee Sails and Altis Consulting.
The crew from Bryden's Lawyers, skipped by Lee Knapton, have been sailing together for a few years now. The crew won their first 16ft Skiff National Championship together in 2010. They won their second National Championships at last year's regatta in Manly, Sydney.
Crew from Bryden's said they were looking forward to sailing today's race.
"This year the racing has been both challenging and rewarding for us. There's nothing better than getting up and sailing on Sydney Harbour each day", said Ricky Bridge.
Skipper Lee Knapton said, "It has been unexpected but very satisfying to come out each day and win each of the heats.
"It's a great feeling however it certainly does not mean we are going into today's heat feeling relaxed. We are keen to work hard and maintain our success on the water.
Crew member Peter Mackie said, "We have done a lot of work since last year's win. This year we put a new boat on the water. It's required an extensive amount of time but it has paid dividends."
drummoynesailingclub.com.au/2014-16ft-skiff-nationals.html