Garde wins NSW Garde 12ft skiff sprint series

10:32 PM Tue 2 Mar 2010 GMT

'Garde wins at last' David Sanderson Click Here to view large photo

Garde broke a five year hoodoo in their sponsors name sake event, winning the sprint series regatta on a count back after a tie for first place with Lincoln Crowne.

Lane Cove Framing had a stellar day out, winning the handicap.

The day had all the makings of a great event, a sold out ferry, with plenty of food and drinks, a nice big rig breeze and 21 top class skiffs. There were some teething problems with rounding marks drifting which caused a delayed of start and only two races run instead of the scheduled three. The race committee did a fantastic job under the testing circumstances, and also had to deal with a shifting East South East breeze.

In Race One Garde (Brett Hobson) bolt out of the blocks to lead Panadol Rapid (Andrew O'Brian) and Maersk Line (Jakub Ronowicz) to the short top mark.

Garde extended their lead down the first kite run in fresh air, and went on to record a victory in the Zhik sponsored race. Lincoln Crowne (Jonathan Temple) came through the fleet to pick up second and Gemmell Sails (Murray Press) third. Lane Cove Framing (Dave Winning) won the handicap, with Garde Geotherm second.

Race 2 got underway after the breeze came and went a few times. This time it was Andrew Short Marine's (Michael Spies) turn to bolt from the start, Lincoln Crown didn't have to fight their way through the fleet on this occasion, pulling into second place right away. The leading two boats increased their gap away from the rest of the fleet, which was crowded at the mark roundings.

The breeze died right out down the spinnaker run, ASM showing great poise to stay ahead of Lincoln, and go on to win the Deckhardware/Allwood sails heat. Garde picked up third.

This meant that Garde and Lincoln finished equal first on four points. Garde having won heat 1 takes the victory on a count back.

The results at this stage are provisional, pending a protest involving ASM.

Thistle Hill Wines won the handicap for Race 2, with Datacall second.
Lane Cove Framing picked up fourth in the racet, enough to seal them the handicap victory.

Special thanks to the event sponsor, Garde and the heat sponsors, Zhik, Gemmell Sails, Deckhardware and Allwood Sails. Also to the race committee David and Leasa Speck, Garry and Christine Hobson. Thanks to the helpers of the ferry organization and food preparation.

by Skiff-Ed

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Garde wins NSW Garde 12ft skiff sprint series

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