CLUB CHAMPION – SUTECH BUILDING CONSULTANTS

In its first year racing, Sutech Building Consultants managed to pull off the unattainable winning the Wild Oats/Hamilton Island Club Championship. However it was no surprise considering the experience of the crew onboard.

Skippered by Daniel Turner, who came up through the ranks of our junior division, he returned to the Club eager to get back into skiffs after a spell on the yacht racing scene. Steve Bowen who was no stranger to the podium having crewed on the successful, Fluid Building Services brought a depth of knowledge crucial to the performance of the team. Newcomer to Manly, Keagan York had to overcome the travelling hurdle but fit in well with the Sutech team to add the final compliment to their sailing skills. Having set a rigorous training program and after changes to their sail configuration, they proved themselves vying for the title against the 16ft Australian and NSW State Champion to secure victory.

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION – FLUID BUILDING SERVICES

Fluid Building Services has an impressive success rate. They have dominated 16ft Skiff Sailing over the years twice winning the Australian Championship (2006 & 2010) and for seven consecutive years won the Club Championship prior to the 2009-2010 racing season.

Skippered by Clint Bowen and crewed by Anthony King and Brent Dennis, Fluid Building Services consistency is the envy of other skiffs. This year they claimed the Australian Championship in light winds on Lake Macquarie, securing the title after Heat 6 with one race to spare.

NSW STATE CHAMPION – FIRE STOPPING

The Fire Stopping team first competed at Manly in the 2002 season with a put together team. After a long awaited return to the class in 2004, Jacob Christian, Rob Napper and James Bury (owner) won the Australian title on handicap and also the Club Overall Point Score in a brand new boat. James Dorron was promoted to the helm for the 2007-2008 sailing season after two seasons in the 13ft Skiff Division.

Under the watchful eye of James Bury and Rob Napper this new team won the Australian title on scratch. This was no easy feat with James Dorron the first to win the title, first season out and was the youngest to achieve this result. The crew backed up this performance with a State title win.

The most memorable moment for the team was the back to back Australian title wins, and the State titles at Georges River with one of the quickest white knuckle rides of all times. The Rat (James Dorron), The Panda (Jimmy Bury) and the Monkey (Rob Napper) are teaming up again next season on Fire Stopping with a whole brand new bag of tricks.

DIVISION SKIFF – TYPHOON

The new Typhoon launched into the fleet two weeks into the 2009-2010 racing season, with the skipper and crew having to adapt to their new boat.  As with any new boat there was a settling in period that proved to be frustrating as the new equipment and crew struggled to gel.

One highlight of the season for the crew was winning the win CA Boyle & Textiles Co trophy, a fortunate win considering they are the boats sponsor.  "Even though you think you can do it in a year and everything's going to go perfectly, it just doesn’t work that way.  We're pretty pleased with where we're at but we can get even better" said skipper Craig Nicholls obviously already looking forward to next season.