Welcome to the 85th 12 Foot Skiff Australian Championship!
Abbotsford 12ft Sailing Club is excited and relieved to host the 12ft Skiff Australian Championships this year, after the false start in 2020. The 12 foot skiff class has long history at Abbotsford and we are therefore keen to support the 12 foot skiff association. This page will contain links to daily results as well as management announcements. Please stay tuned for updates.
Abbotsford 12ft Sailing Club would like to thank the all the generous sponsors of the championship:
See the Abbotsford 12 Foot Sailing club Facebook page for photos and articles here
See photo album here
More Photos of Friday from Paul and Delma Fowler here
Drone footage of Day 1 and 2 here
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Dempsey Family (Dewane and Hill) |  |
| Cameron M'Donald |  |
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Evans family (Karl Evans Memorial) |
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Cameron Fucile |
Race Reports
Saturday
Race 2 - Course 5
The Race Officer set an even line just off the Cabarita Marina. The fleet had a clear start in a light NE breeze but shortly after the star the breeze shifted north and competitors had to adjust theyr course in the challenging conditions.
On the leg back from Five Dock Point, the northwesterly fought agains the incoming sea breeze and some skiffs found a way through with Sails Inc followed by Lincoln Crowne and Geotherm roundung the France Bay mark ahead of the rest of the fleet. The rest of the fleet enjoyed a slight freshening of the breeze as they rounded France Baya short while later.
On the second leg the fleet spread out looking for solid breeze...
More to follow!
Race 3
The close packed fleet jostled for prime position on the well-set start line in readiness for the light ENE breeze. As the countdown continued, Red Energy inched closer to the line and just pulled away within seconds of the horn for a clear start by the entire fleet.
The race commitee then settled back for a well-earned drink and some of Robyn's decade-old chocolate (fresh snacks would be appreciated...). With the finish like set, the committee waited with anticipation for the leaders to return to France Bay. France bay roundings were close with Sail Inc first followed by Geotherm and Terms and Conditions 3rd.
The rest of the the fleet had a good tussel on the downwind leg using the full width of the river to find every shift.
The light breeze settled across the course and all competitors looked like they were enjoying the close racing that was the third heat of the 12 Foot Skiff National Championships at Abbotsford.
The race committee was wonderfully supported throughout the day by all the rescue craft and crews. Special thanks to Jim Sinclair and Lee Dewane who moved the pin-end mark several times under the close scrutiny of the RO.
Sunday
Race 4 - Course 5
After the hoisting of the AP flag on shore, the breeze finally arrived for the start of race 4.
The fleet jostled behind the start line during the countdown. Several boats were very close to the start line bore away just in time for a clear start. Suddenly the race comittee were almost knocked off their feet by the sudden impactof a bow sprit into the starboard midships of the beloved Scout II. After apologising and completing the obligatory turns, the competitor set off for the Five Dock mark.
On the first downwind leg, the first three leaders were well ahead of of the fleet. The order around France Bay was Stiff, Sails Inc, and Terms and Conditions. The rest of the fleet were closely bunched coming out of France Bay for the second lap. As the last two competitors came around France mark, there was an entanglement between Son of Wally and Engineered for Failure but both boats soon sorted it out and resumed their sailing.
After a softening of the breeze there were some close tussles mid fleet to the final mark of the course. Still prevailed taking the horn finishing 1 minute ahead of Sails Inc and 4 minutes ahead of Terms and Conditions.
Race 5 - Course 5
Race 5 of the nationals saw a competitive fleet approach the line. The star start of the regatta went to Engineered for Failure who managed to avoid Scoutand managed to cross most of the fleet in front of the Sydney Rowers. The entire fleet was Around Abbotsford point within five minutes of the start.
As the fleet rounded Five Dock Mark, the Race committee made the decision to shorten the course at France.
Sails Inc prevailed with Terms and Conditions second and Stiff third. With the shortened course, all starters finished and were grateful for the ROs decision to shorten.
Monday
Race 6 - Course 3
A light SSE breeze greeted the fleet today (the heaviest breeze of the regatta!). The fleet where again close to the line however a couple of issues were encountered by some boats immediately after crossing the start line.
The first rounding saw Sails Inc closely followed by CHPS. The fleet began to spread out and all crews needed to keep an eye out for the gusts and pick the right shore.
The breeze lifted and became more solid across the bat. There were some good kite sets with both crew out on the wire.
More to follow...
Race Results
See links to daily results here
Regatta Administration
Change to Sailing Instructions #1
23. Abbotsford 12 Foot Sailing Club reserves the right to deny a boat entry to the championship
Change to Sailing Instructions #2
Racing on Saturday 3rd April will be not-before 2pm.
Robyn Tames - Race Officer