12ft Skiff Interdoms: Uglystick leads after Day 1
by RAYC Auckland Skiff League 7 Jan 2018 23:44 NZDT
7 January 2018
Day 1, 58th 12ft Skiff Interdominions, January 7, 2018 © Suellen Davies / Auckland Skiff League
It was a near perfect day on the water for the first two races of the 58th 12' Skiff Interdominions hosted by Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
The fleet was met with a 12-17 knot westerly with clear blue skies and plenty of debris to dodge as a result of the recent pounding storm.
Race 1 was taken out by Alex Vallings and Andrew Clarke (NZL) sailing C-Tech, however they were lucky to take the win after tearing the luff on their number 2 chute.
“Definitely lucky to come away with that win, but it definitely was champagne sailing,” said Vallings after returning to shore after Race 1 to repair the damaged sail.
Unfortunately for C-Tech they were late to the start for Race 2. The breeze had increased slightly with an outgoing tide. Uglystick (NZL), Simon Ganley and Oliver Scott-Mackie took the win and after two races now lead the 23 strong fleet.
“It was an awesome day out there and we probably got a little bit lucky with the first beat of the second race but managed to find a little gap and snuck our way into the lead,” said Ganley.
Sydney Sailmakers (AUS) team Nick Press and Andrew Hay had a good day finishing 4th in Race 1 and 2nd in Race 2 to put them second overall. C-Tech is currently in third overall.