Trio Of Skiffs Look Best Bets For Grand Prix

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday October 27, 1993

By STEVE OFFNER

The 18-foot skiffs AAMI, Ella Bache and Prudential remain the favourites to win the first stage of the Grand Prix Sailing National Circuit to be raced off Hayman Island this weekend.

The three boats are considered the fastest and best-prepared skiffs in the field of 12 which will take to the water in what has become one of Australia's premier sail racing events.

The managing director of Grand Prix Sailing, Mr Bill Macartney, said: "After what we have seen on the harbour so far this year you couldn't go past those three as the boats to beat.

"They've put the most work in on the water pre-season and are much better prepared than the other crews."

AAMI, skippered this year by 1989 world champion Scott Ramsden, won the circuit last year and is considered the boat most likely to take out the first regatta this weekend.

With last year's skipper, Julian Bethwaite, also on board AAMI as sheet hand crew member experience is the boat's best feature.

Eleven other northside crews will compete in the Grand Prix which incorporates regattas all around Australia and culminates in a final on Sydney Harbour on January 21-23.

Prudential, skippered by Rob Brown, has experienced two frustrating seasons in the circuit but has put in exceptional preparation this year.

In a submission to the Grand Prix Sailing, Brown said it was of utmost importance that the skiff hit the water this season with pace.

"The major emphasis has been to come up with a design that parallels the opposition but is engineered better, lighter, stronger and more user friendly," he said."I believe we have achieved that."

Brown said that pulling together crew members Dave Slennett and Peter Warner would guarantee a win.

Ella Bache, skippered by Michael Walsh, and Old Elpaso, skippered by New Zealander Kevin Nixon, are regarded as top challengers to AAMI and Prudential

Macartney said: "If you look at the machinery - designs, rigs that sort of thing - Xerox, Lucozade, Old El Paso and Tip Top Sunblest are pretty well equal. It will be how the crew performs that will count."

The only international entry in the circuit, a Swedish crew led by Anders Lewander, will sail Country Comfort.

Eighteen-foot skiffs are regarded as the fastest mono-hulls in the world reaching speeds of more than 30 knots.

According to Macartney, the Grand Prix Circuit is "the number one sail racing event in Australia with the possible exception of the Sydney to Hobart".

"Eighteen foot skiffs are the most spectacular racers in the world.

"They are very highly powered. They look very fast in the water and can crash and turn over while racing, adding to the spectator interest.

"There is nothing else like them in the world. They are way ahead ... because they are a development class and have been developed by the best sailing minds this country has produced."

After this weekend's race off Hayman Island, the next regatta will be in Brisbane on November 12-14. The race then moves to Melbourne, November 19-21, Adelaide, December 10-12, Perth, December 17-19, and the final at Sydney on January 21-23.

The series will be televised on Channel Nine in 30 half-hour programs to be shown during lunch breaks in Australia's Test cricket series against South Africa and New Zealand.