by: Rod Carter

The recent Australian 16ft Skiff Championships delivered exactly what the class is famous for: high speed, brutal competition, and a week of racing that separated the merely good from the truly great. A stacked fleet of 75 boats lined up, featuring an all-star cast of Olympic medallists and world champions, turning every start into a clash of titans.

Against that backdrop on Lake Macquarie, our crew’s 10th-place finish stands as a credible and hard-earned result. The series unfolded across a wide range of conditions, from light-air puzzles to full-throttle skiff sailing that pushed boats and sailors to their limits. Every race was tightly fought, with positions changing by the leg and no room for mistakes.

Unfortunately, we were never quite able to unlock our pre-regatta pace when it mattered most. Add in some untimely gear failures, and our hopes of cracking the top 5 slowly slipped away. In a fleet this deep, even the smallest setback carried a heavy price.

                                                                                                                                                       Pictures by: Michael Chittenden

Still, finishing inside the top ten in such elite company is something to take pride in. The championships were a reminder of just how high the bar is in the 16ft Skiff class and how unforgiving it can be. With lessons learned, the focus now turns to the upcoming  Australian Sprint Championships  in early February which we hope to retain the championship trophy after success in 2024 & 2025.

photos Bronny Daniels