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2:44 AM Thu 27 Nov 2008 GMT
 | | 'Riley Marine Fittings - Jack Andrew(skipper) and his crew of Keagan York (for'and) and Aaron Morgan (sheethand)'
Manly 16ft Skiff Club |
A crew which sailed just two warm-up races and competes for fun more than silverware became the 'accidental' state champions after a crazy end to the NSW 16ft Skiff Championships last weekend.
Manly-based Riley Marine Fittings (Jack Andrew) produced a 'Steven Bradbury' to finish the last skiff standing in a series shortened by unpredictable weather. Riley headed to Georges River on Saturday with no expectation of victory after sailing just two club races in the lead-up.
But in a testing 30-plus knot wind, the heavyweight crew was one of just two boats to complete the course, taking first place. Heat three was due to be sailed in the afternoon but was abandoned until the next day when the wind increased.
The fleet was again buffetted by strong winds on Sunday morning, with Belmont duo Aristocrat (Rob Flannagan) and OAS (Danny Anderson) handling the conditions best to finish one-two.
Riley's fourth gave it the pointscore lead with one race remaining.
But when the wind again got out of control - forcing the cancellation of heat four - Andrew and his crew of Keagan York (for'and) and Aaron Morgan (sheethand) were declared state champions after being one of only two skiffs to complete three heats.
And no-one was more stunned than the winners. 'I won the States two seasons ago, however we were having a laidback season this year and threw together a crew,' Andrew explained.
'We'd talk for years and years about sailing together - just a regatta here and there - so we went in the states for a bit of fun.'
'If the weather had been a bit lighter then Danny Anderson on OAS probably would have won it but it was kind to us.'
'We didn't expect this at all.'
It was Manly's first victory at state 16ft level since the 2001/2 season with this trophy now adding to the already bulging trophy cabinet having won 4 National Titles and now 4 NSW State Titles in the last 9 months.
And in a nice piece of family symmetry, Andrew's grandfather's cousin - Eric Andrew - is on the Manly honour board as a six-time club champion early last century.
But any hope Manly had of convincing Andrew to shoot for the national crown and add it to the state title appears futile.
'We're probably not even going to sail them,' the skipper declared.
'We'll take the runabout out with an Esky of drinks and watch them.'
However, club Sailing Manager Brad Andrew who is also Jack's brother laughed 'I think I will need to discuss this over drinks and turkey on Christmas day'
www.manlyskiff.com.au
by Event media
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Cape Byron, NSW
