Synergy holds on for tight win
 |
Synergy finishes first in the Flying Squadron Championship race.
Photo courtesy of Erica Bailey |
18 foot skiff veteran Michael Carter won the Sydney Flying Squadron’s championship race on the weekend by
demonstrating great tenacity in demanding conditions.
The light breezes on the afternoon led to a grafting war of attrition rather than the usual explosive
action one has come to expect from the 18 footers. Each of the teams tried to get the most from the conditions
and it was a credit to Carter’s determination that he stayed with the leaders, only managing to take the lead
on the last leg of the course.
With the light winds forecasted the race committee chose to shorten the course on Sydney Harbour which
caused mixed reactions amongst the skippers. Whilst many agreed that it was a sensible decision, Carter was
initially against the call.
Synergy traded places with Avaya, Wentworth Courier / Sydney Times and Sydney Star for the most part of the
race. Avaya skippered by a young Michael Rynan struck difficulties with the spinnaker getting caught in the
rigging. Avaya lost possibly 10 minutes on the leaders in this single incident which saw Rynan drop back to
mid fleet.
Sydney Star also fell off the lead group half way through the race with an error with the spinnaker however
showed good speed in the light airs to almost catch the two leaders by the finish. Michael Boyd has had
considerable difficulties with this during the competition so far and a clean weekend free of errors should
see him seriously threaten for the winners circle.
With these two having fallen away from the lead group it was Ian Pretty’s Wentworth Courier / Sydney Times
and Synergy to battle it out for the lead. Carter just stuck to the simple principle of staying in clean air
and minimizing tacks and gybes to keep the speed up as high as possible.
Other performers included veteran Adrian Dunphy who sailed the well known Ella Bache into fourth place.
Ella Bache held off challenges from Frame Group and ING who made up the middle of the fleet.
| Placings |
| 1. | Synergy! (Michael Carter) |
| 2. | Wentworth Courier / Sydney Times (Ian Pretty) |
| 3. | Sydney Star (Michael Boyd) |
| 4. | Ella Bache (Adrian Dunphy) |
| 5. | Frame Group (Craig Doran) |
| 6. | ING (Chris Kameen) |
| 7. | Avaya (Michael Rynan) |
| 8. | Intercall (Lea Sitja) |
| 9. | Macquarie Bank (Michael McKensey) |
| 10. | Sign-a-Rama (Scott Merrington) |
| 11. | Dinghy Solutions (Richard Scarr)* |
| *Did not start |
Spanish Olympic sailing coach Lea Sitja on Intercall initially struggled with the light conditions and was
placed well back. However eventually Sitja grafted his way forward through the back markers and is showing
improvement and great promise for the upcoming weeks.
Unfortunately Richard Scarr’s Dinghy Solutions broke its forestay whilst rigging and was unable to start
the race. Minor damage was sustained but after affecting repairs in the afternoon, Scarr was able to compete
in the Australian 18 footer League’s race instead.
In other racing at the Sydney Flying Squadron, Ed Blackman’s International 14foot skiff held off champion
12 foot skiffs to take the overall win in the Garde Sprint Series held on the weekend. Nick Press and Jon
Temple are State and Interdominion champions respectively but were unable to rein in a rampant Blackman who
enjoyed the light breezes.
Related Articles:
Carter lashes out at race officials (Mon Oct 10)
Dixon’s CST Composites scores a tight 18 footer win (Mon Oct 3)
18 foot skiffs overpowered in tough race (Mon Sep 26)
Brutal gusts cancel 18 Footer’s opening race (Tues Sep 20)
• Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!
| 
