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10:59 AM Sun 16 Nov 2008 GMT
 | | 'Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Milson Silver Gobletshoto: Kylie Wilson - Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Milson Silver Goblets'
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The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Milson Silver Goblets, one of the most prestigious regattas on the calendar for the International Etchells Sydney Fleet, has resulted in an unbreakable tie between Fathom (Rupert Henry) and Fifteen (David Clarke and Andrew Smith).
The five race series was sailed as part of the Squadron's Spring Twilight Regatta sailed on the Harbour last week. The sea breezes were steady all week, freshening on Friday evening to a 15-20 knot nor'easter, gusting to 25 knots, for the deciding heats for both classes.
During the week, Fathom got the early results on the board with a 1-1-4 score, while Fifteen improved with a 5-4-1. Race four narrowed the contest with Fifteen placing second, Fathom fifth, and going into the final race Fathom was on 10 points, Fifteen on 11. At this stage, the discard for both boats was a fifth.
The final race on Friday evening came down to a virtual match race, with David Clark steering Fifteen to a 46 second win from Fathom to tie the series, third place (and third in the series) going to the Pittwater fleet boat Steampacket VI (Bruce Wookey and Rob Brown).
The end result that Fifteen and Fathom each ended with two wins, one second place and a fourth after discard their fifth places for a net score of eight points.
Steampacket VI finished with 12 points followed by another Pittwater fleet entrant, Just a Dash (Julian Plante) on 15 points, Bald Eagle (John Dunn & Glen Nattrass) 19 points, North Sydney Station (Ed and Will McCarthy and Michael Coxon) 20 points and dot (Matt Whitnall) 21 points.
Next Saturday will be a Mini Regatta comprising the final three heats in the 12-heat World Qualifying Series to determine the 10 boats from the Sydney fleet eligible to contest the World Championship in Melbourne in March 2009.
The following weekend will be the NSW State Championship for the Etchells, hosted by Gosford Sailing Club on Brisbane Waters.
by Peter Campbell
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Cape Moreton, QLD
