| Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy - Sydney Harbour. |
| By Frank Quealey, the Australian 18 Footers League. |
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Photos by the Australian
18 Footers League
Page edited By Peter Andrews. |
| October 10, 2010. |
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| The Australian 18 Footers League opened its 2010-2011 Season with the traditional Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy race on Sydney Harbour today. The race, which was sailed over the club’s Easterly wind 3-buoys course, resulted in a win for the boat, Project Racing, skippered by Andy Budgen. |
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The start of the Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy race, Sunday, October 10, 2010.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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Budgen, along with crewmen Cameron McDonald and Dan Wilsdon, sailed faultlessly in the 15-18 knot wind to defeat TF Collect, sailed by Mark Kennedy, Tom Anderson and Ryan Houston, by 1 minute and 13 seconds.
Third placing went to the brand new Yandoo skiff sailed by John Winning, Andrew Hay and Dave Gibson, which finished a further 3 minutes and 25 seconds back. |
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Asko Appliances.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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It was a timely win for the team which is currently self funded by Andy Budgen, who is looking for a sponsor to help support the campaign. And with some teams still waiting for their skiffs to return from international competition and others still waiting for their new skiffs, there were four teams sailing in borrowed boats or with borrowed sails.
TF Collect grabbed the early lead at the Rose Bay windward mark when the team went to the red buoy, while Project Racing had to go to the further blue buoy. Red Claw (Matthew Searle) went into second place, through also going to the red buoy. |
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Mark Kennedy, Tom Anderson and Ryan Houston on TF Collect.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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Several teams were showing that the rust was still present after the winter layoff and capsized at various stages along the downwind legs. TF continued to hold the lead over the first triangle, but a poor mark rounding at the bottom mark saw the Project Racing and Yandoo teams move ahead.
The 3-buoys placement allowed TF Collect to move back ahead of Yandoo at the second set of windward buoys, but Project Racing’s crew were handling their big gear to perfection as they increased their lead. Positions remained unchanged over the final lap of the course but further down the fleet there were still some thrills and spills. |
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De'Longhi.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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Three boats capsized just before or just after the finishing line but generally it was a good start to what promises to be a competitive season.
More information and photographs can be found at www.flying18s.com and www.18footers.com.au.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
www.flying18s.com. |
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| Outimage and the Australian 18 Footers Leaguea © 2010 |
