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JJ Giltinan 18’ Skiff International Championship Overall
Author: Peter Danby
'GENERAL ELECTRIC-US CHALLENGE' TAKES THE JJ GILTINAN TROPHY
Howard Hamlin, Mike Martin and Trevor Baylis on 'General Electric-US Challenge' sailed an excellent final heat on Sydney Harbour this afternoon (Sunday) to become the first American winners of the JJ Giltinan 18 foot Skiff International Championship, and only the second winners from the northern hemisphere since the trophy was awarded in 1938.
Coming into the final heat, 'General Electric-US Challenge' was, along with John Harris's 'Rag & Famish Hotel' and Daniel Phillips's 'Derwent Racing', one of three boats in serious contention for the championship. In fact, the American team had the hardest job of the three, as their points score was such that they would need to have two boats between themselves and their rivals if they were to succeed.
The race was sailed in a south easterly breeze of 12 to 15 knots, with a huge spectator fleet gathered in Taylor Bay for the start, including two of the traditional ferries packed with sailing enthusiasts.
Rob Greenhalgh on 'RMW Marine' got away perfectly at the favoured committee boat end of the line, and held a good lead at the Rose Bay rounding mark after the long beat to windward. Second place at that stage was held by Victor Brellisford on 'White Stuff', with 'Derwent Racing' and 'General
Electric-US Challenge' in fairly close attendance, but 'Rag & Famish Hotel' rounded in fourteenth position.
'General Electric-US Challenge' and 'Derwent Racing' battled head to head for second place, before the American team established superiority, but they also dropped a place to Hugh Stodart on 'Express Post', who then held second position right to the end of the race.
With 'Derwent Racing' falling back a little, 'The Rag' recovered sufficiently to become a real threat to 'General Electric-US Challenge', but the Americans' cause was helped by the fact that Michael Coxon on 'Sunday Telegraph' and Tony Hannan on 'Bell Partners' were also charging up through
the fleet and staying ahead of 'The Rag'.
'RMW Marine' crossed the line over a minute and a half ahead of 'Express Post', but there was tension in the air as the next four boats approached the line with the championship still at stake.
For one moment, it looked as though 'Bell Partners' was going to take third position from 'General Electric-US Challenge', but the American team just managed to retain the place by one second, and all eyes were then focused on 'Rag & Famish Hotel' to see whether she could finish ahead of 'Sunday
Telegraph', which she failed to do by a mere three seconds.
The very popular American team had managed to do what was needed for them to win this coveted championship, by finishing that one vital second ahead of 'Bell Partners'.
Racing is never more exciting than this.
Result of Heat 7:
PosBoat NameSkipperCountry
1RMW MarineRob GreenhalghGBR
2Express PostHugh StodartAUS
3General Electric-US ChallengeHoward HamlinUSA
4Bell PartnersTony HannanAUS
5Sunday TelegraphMichael CoxonAUS
6Rag & Famish HotelJohn HarrisAUS
7Terry Hogan Prestige CarsGraham TurnerAUS
8Newport Arms HotelMatt FeltonAUS
9Derwent RacingDaniel PhillipsAUS
10Omega SmegTrevor BarnabasAUS
Overall Championship, after 7 Heats (1 discard):
PosBoat NamePts
1General Electric-US Challenge33.7
2Rag & Famish Hotel35.7
3Derwent Racing39.4
4Newport Arms Hotel48.4
5Express Post59.1
6Sunday Telegraph70
7Great Britain77.9
8RMW Marine80
9Omega Smeg80.4
10d'Albora Marinas86
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