Lone star makes right rig choice for 18 foot skiff win

Mid-fleet skiff Sydney Star Accommodation breaks free from the group. Photo courtesy of Natasha Doran

Sydney Star Accommodation skipper Michael Boyd was feeling lonely and a little worried in the Sydney Flying Squadron’s rigging park on Saturday afternoon.

Every single other competitor chose the smaller rig expecting a stiff north easterly breeze, all except Boyd.

The crew & skipper of Sydney were wondering if they’d made a good choice and would be winners, or if they would be left overpowered and unable to control their skiff, as the others would be able to if the wind came in. Regardless of the nervous discussions, it was agreed that it was too late to change anything, and there was no turning back now.

In a handicap start event where the slower rated skiffs take a head start, and the gun boats have to chase them to take the lead, Boyd powered through the course steadily pulling back the early starters. It took only two of the three laps for Boyd to hunt down the top four boats.

As the fleet converged on the last windward mark, it was between Matt Dubreucq (Intercall), Chris Kameen (Austar), Michael McKensey (Frame Group) and Boyd.

Dubreucq and fellow Canadian Geoff Gales had teamed up with local 49er supremo David Maiden on Intercall and forced Boyd into an early tack before the mark. Kameen on Austar slipped through a group of yachts to follow leader Frame Group around the mark.

The sheer power of Sydney Star Accommodation’s huge rig proved the difference, cutting past the underpowered Intercall into third and challenging Austar for second. Kameen’s team buckled under the pressure applied by Sydney Star and let Kameen down.

Forward hand Sam Jackson and sheet had David Rogers fouled the spinnaker on the hoist and lost parts of it overboard resulting in an unfortunate capsize which not only allowed Boyd to slip through into second, but the young Canadians into third. Kameen didn’t lose any further places, but was well out of the race for a podium finish.

As the last downwind leg took place the powered up Sydney Star was slowly but surely pulling Frame Group back. Regardless of rigs and boat speed, it was a fun display of gamesmanship and sledging that won the day for Boyd’s team.

Sheet hand Steve Face observed that Frame Group’s skipper McKensey, hadn’t checked over his shoulder for some time and probably didn’t know Boyd has caught up as much as he did. The crew on Sydney Star knew the McKensey should gybe, cross their bow clear ahead on port tack, then gybe again to take the finish – but only if it was done assertively and with confidence.

McKensey went into the gybe and the crew on Boyd’s 18 footer started screaming for right of way, calling Starboard loudly and aggressively even though deep down they knew McKensey was clear. McKensey however was clearly startled; he hesitated, and started reversing his decision to gybe. In doing so it was all over. Boyd took the opportunity that should never have come, and scored a clear win.

Other usual top performers continued their bad run of form. Michael Carter’s Synergy was the best rated skiff but was underpowered in the conditions, and was unable to catch the early starters. Wentworth Courier skippered by Ian Pretty was also well back in the fleet experiencing an unprecedented poor run of form on what is a fast skiff. Previous week’s third place getter Michael Rynan on Avaya also joined the back of the fleet.

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