Crunchie -Winners of the 2008 NSW F11 Sprint Champ

'Flying Eleven 1363 CRUNCHIE Olivia Price & Maddie Clancy M16’SSC' Click Here to view large photo

The Nick Scali Furniture Sprint Series for youth classes incorporating the 2008 NSW Flying Eleven Sprint Championships always seem to leave an indelible memory for those crews and classes who manage to venture away from their home clubs early in the season. They were rewarded with a feast of quick exhilarating races amongst a multitude of classes with marks scattered seemingly all over the course in a what looks initially to be an obstacle course more than a sailing course.

Only Col Chidgey, the PRO of this ever evolving regatta, run by Hunters Hill Sailing Club could manage to calmly and succinctly succeed in relaying concise instruction to all crews ranging from 8 years old to 20+ years, resulting in a perfect roundings in the 8-12kts NEer for all three divisions, on three interwoven courses on the day.

There was even an 'ancient' (one child's comment) sailor out on the track, probably 45ish who even managed to get it right, despite the waters off Hunters Hill being inundated with 12fters, 16fters, lasers, yachts and TS16s all racing their usual Saturday club competitions. What a spectacle!!!

This year, Div 1 consisted of the Sabot and Manly Juniors, Div 2 were the Flying Elevens and Div 3 was made up of mostly Cherubs with a couple of 29ers. There were 19 races spread amongst the fleets with Div 1 managing to squeeze in a seventh race after a number of general recalls from the Flying Elevens, contesting their State Sprint Championships, reduced the time available to run a seventh start for Div 2 and 3. By then, after 5 hours on the water, all crews looked like they had had their fill anyway.

Newly selected Australian Sailing Development Squad member Olivia Price together with awesome crew work from young Maddie Clancy in 1363 Crunchie M16'SSC took out the series in a convincing manner from club mates Declan Reilly and James Lawira-Fernandez 1366 Protagonist M16'SSC, with Tim Forbes-Smith and Mat Bell 1355 Eugene ASC in third place. Olivia and Maddie also won the All Girl Crew Trophy and Avalon Sailing Club claimed the Teams Trophy.