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A LONG TIME BETWEEN DRINKS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE
Like a football team facing a winless year, the crew aboard Animal Welfare League was desperate not to finish Manly's 16ft skiff season with a duck egg in the victory column.
But, with the campaign fast draining away, it wasn't looking good.
AWL had become pros at butchering promising positions so when skipper Tim Aitken cleared out to a comfortable lead, on handicap, in Saturday's spring pointscore race, the spectator fleet held its breath.
Surely, nothing could go wrong this time for Aitken and hard working crew Andrew St John (the boat's owner) and Bjorn Shakespeare.
It didn’t. Animal Welfare League sailed a faultless race in an 8-14 knot nor easter to clear away to a 3min 24sec win from Integratos (Clare Hozack) and JLE Electrical (John De Montfort).
Fluid (Clint Bowen) took scratch honours with a fast-finishing Sutech (Daniel Turner) and Fire Stopping (James Dorron) filling the minor places.
"It's been a long time between drinks. Our last win was towards the end of last season," Aitken said after the race.
"It was in the back of our minds that we might go through the whole season without a win so this is a bit of relief.
"It's been very frustrating because we have sailed okay on occasions but always managed to go for a swim.
"This time everything went right for us."
The skiffies face a busy weekend ahead with a club championship heat on Saturday followed by another club race on Sunday.
 New Sailing Manager, Jackie Damiani, settles in...
Far from being daunted at joining such a successful outfit, new Manly 16ft Skiff's sailing manager Jackie Damiani is relishing the challenge of keeping the club at the summit.
Her predecessor Brad Andrew oversaw an unprecedented run of success during his six-year reign, with wins at national level in the 16s (three), 13s (three), Manly Juniors (four) and Flying 11s (three).
There were also state crowns in 16s (one), 13s (three), Manly Juniors (two) Flying 11s (two).
But the modest Damiani, who prefers to keep a low profile and let results speak for themselves, believes the Manly trophy cabinet can continue to overflow.
"It’s great to be a part of such a successful club with people who are deeply passionate about their racing," she said.
"I'm looking forward to continuing the good work set in place by Brad and the dedicated volunteers at the club."
Damiani certainly has the credentials to ensure the good times keep rolling at Manly.
Coming from a keel boat background, she has more than 10 years' experience in the marine industry and worked her way into race management via the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
She worked with Farr 40s, Sydney 38s and International Etchells before turning her attention to communications work with some of Australia's leading boat builders.
She's now loving being back at the sailing coalface after her time in the office.
"You could say I’m on a skiff learning curve but everyone has been very welcoming, which is nice and much appreciated," she said.
"I'm enjoying being back on the water."
Unfortunately, Damiani didn’t get out on the water on Saturday as the wind refused to co-operate ahead of Manly's summer pointscore race.
Organisers delayed the start in the hope a breeze would materialise but eventually had to accept defeat and abandoned the race
While most of the crews headed straight home, Typhoon duo Craig Nicholls and Rolf Cohen were seen deep in discussion on the skiff club deck plotting their campaign for the remainder of the season.
REFLECTIONS ON WINNING THE 16ft AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009-2010
by Clint Bowen
Competing in such a strong fleet of sailors including World Champions, Olympic Gold medalists, multiple National Champion skippers and crews, winning the Championship was not going to be easy. Notwithstanding the two time winner ‘Fire Stopping’ and the other competitive skiffs from our Club (Sutech, Netkiosk, Aero Sails and Typhoon).
We believed that we would have to tick all the boxes at Belmont, including remaining consistent. Our belief that top 5 finishes would win the regatta came to fruition, with us winning in 6 heats of a seven heat series.
The boat was built two years ago with the goal of winning at Belmont. We concentrated on factors that would affect our performance in flat water, that being crew weight, fitness, sail shape and the mode of sailing.
Anthony and I previously won the Nationals at Manly with my brother Steve. This was a different feeling from last time. More so, a confirmation of our abilities to mix it with the top skiffs in country and remain consistently competitive.
For Brent, who stepped on after Steve decided to have some time off.....well you couldn't wipe the smile off his face. Full credit to him, he did everything we asked of him and brought some youthful exuberance to our skiff.
Like any victory of this sort, we didn’t do this alone. Thanks to Baz Atkins and Dolly for their tireless efforts in ensuring we had the right package. As well as the wishes and great support from our friends, family and the Skiff club. A special thanks to our wives, for giving us the time to do what we love and shape who we are.
 CONGRATULATIONS
2010 16ft SKIFF AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION
FLUID BUILDING SERVICES
Skipper: Clint Bowenn
Crew: Anthony King & Brent Dennis
Image (Annette Brennan)
CONGRATULATIONS
2009/10 16FT SKIFF NSW STATE CHAMPIONS
FIRE STOPPING
Skipper: James Dorron
Crew: James Bury & Rob Napper
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