The Yachtsman 2017-2018 The Yachtsman 2017-2018 | Page 21

C L U B YA C H T I N G
C L U B YA C H T I N G
5.5M AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
S

Close win for
Skagerak at 2018
Int. 5.5m Australian
Championship
Race Results
1. AUS32 Skagerak (Bob
Stoddard) 16.0
2. AUS026 Baragoola
(Antill Macey Spithill)
16.0
3. AUS29 Antares (Martin
/ Anna Cross) 20.0
4. AUS55 Tangalooma
(Pete McNamara) 23.0
5. 5 KA16 Pam (Peter
McDonald) 40.0
6. AUS60 Plan B Redux
(Robert Fielding) 53.0
7. AUS59 Marotte
(Robert Hart) 63.0
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YA C H T S M A N R PAY C
kagerak, a Luders designed 5.5
Metre built by Lars Halvorsen
in Sydney in 1974, took out the
2018 Int. 5.5m Class Australian
Championship, which was hosted
by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
(RPAYC) in Pittwater from 25-27 February.
Skippered by Bob Stoddard, Skagerak ended
up tied on equal point with Baragoola, a
Briton Chance design, built by Hall and
Johansen in 1968.
Concerns about wind and rain at the
beginning of the regatta were forgotten when
racing started on Sunday 25. Antares had a
great first day in 15-20 knots of wind with
two seconds and a win to take the early lead,
though there were many boats heading home
with breakages. A Fay/Luders design, and
built by Ian Perdrieau in 1973, Antares has
a distinctive ‘canoe’ bow and is a previous
winner of the Australian Championship.
Baragoola ended the first day in second
place. She was one of the first 5.5 Metres to
have the modern raised floor and separate
rudder and was one of two Classic 5.5s racing
the championship.
An inconsistent start for Skagerak was
rectified on the second day with an excellent
1-1-2 to take the overall lead, after all the
crews spent the morning doing repairs. The
day started with 17-20 knots but eased through
to 12 knots for the third race. Baragoola was
never far away and ended the day just one
point back, with Antares dropping to third.
In the fresh southerly winds Plan B and
Marotte both sustained some damage and
called it a day.
On the final day, in a more subdued 7-10
knots, Baragoola was the best boat of the day
with a 1-2-3 clawing back one point to finish
on equal points with Skagerak. But, having
won the last race, it was enough for Skagerak
to win the title on count back. Antares took
third, four points adrift.
Club Coach at the RPAYC, Thomas
Spithill, was sailing on Baragoola, the 2017
defending Australian Champion and the boat
he part owns. “The boats are very enjoyable
to sail and good to admire racing on
Pittwater. Each boat has its own unique story
and history. The boats ages range from 1960
- 2010, yet are still very competitive against
each other. The Class has a huge following in
Europe and we are hoping to see the Worlds
hosted at RPAYC in 2020, fingers crossed.”
Stoddard commented, “The racing was
nerve-racking and any of the top four boats
could have won on the final day. [Each of the
top four had won at least one race by the end
of day two.] Despite the design differences
between the boats, they are very similar in
speed so the starts and mark roundings were
very important to get right. It was great to have
Pam and crew come up from the harbour and
join what would have otherwise an RPAYC
fleet. The race committee did a fantastic job
as the rain squalls and normal Pittwater wind
fluctuations tried to put them off.”
“It was a great three days of racing and
I am very grateful to the competitors, the
volunteers and the club for making it happen.
I am very grateful to have Phil Smidmore
and Mark Griffiths on my team. Thank you
also to North Sails for their contribution to
the prizes.”
“We are hoping to host the 2020 5.5
Metre World Championships here and that
this event has generated more local and
international interest in the class.”
R PAY C YA C H T S M A N
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