Seve Jarvin closing in on 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship title

Sydney, Australia (March 6, 2014) – Seve Jarvin moved a step closer to equaling the legendary Iain Murray’s record when he steered Gotta Love It 7 to victory in today’s Race 5 of the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour.

Iain Murray won six championships between 1977 and 1982, inclusive, and Jarvin is set to equal that achievement as a skipper if Gotta Love It 7 can close out this regatta on the weekend.

The superb crew work of Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage was on show again today as the trio gave another faultless exhibition.

Once again the team had to come from behind in the early stages of the race before going on to score a 2m1s win from Appliancesonline.com.au (Micah Lane, Paul Montague, Tom Anderson), with De’Longhi-Rabbitohs (Simon Nearn, Kieryn Cowan, Keagan York) a further12s back in third place.

While the Gotta Love It 7 victory was comprehensive, the race for the next six placings was separated by only 30s.

Yamaha (David McDiarmid, NZ) finished fourth, followed by Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon), Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) and Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson).

Following today’s race, Gotta Love It 7 leads the regatta on 16 points, followed by Thurlow Fisher Lawyers on 22, C-Tech (Alex Vallings, NZ) on 31, Mojo Wine 33, Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel (Jack Macartney) 39 and The Kitchen Maker (Will Phillips) on 48.

Today’s race was sailed in a moderate south wind with most teams electing to go with their smaller #2 rigs.

Appliancesonline.com.au led Gotta Love It 7 narrowly at the windward mark, but a great ride on the long spinnaker run from Clarke Island to Obelisk saw De’Longhi-Rabbitohs take over from Mojo Wine, Asko Appliances, Gotta Love It 7, Yamaha, Appliancesonline.com.au and Sydney City Marine (David Witt).

Mojo Wine and Gotta Love It 7 applied the pressure on the work back into Rose Bay but De’Longhi-Rabbitohs’ crew were up to the task and retained a narrow lead.

De’Longhi-Rabbitohs retained the lead on the next spinnaker run back to the bottom mark before Gotta Love It 7 took over on the beat back to Clarke Island.

As the spinnakers were set for the final spinnaker run, Gotta Love It 7 had increased the lead to 1m10s over De’Longhi-Rabbitohs, with Mojo Wine and Appliancesonline only a few secs. back.

In the fading breeze on the work home there was little between the six teams which filled the placings behind the winners.

Results: Race 5 – Overall

Source: Information provided by Frank Quealey

Background:
The 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on March 1-9 is the 75th anniversary of the world’s greatest 18 Footer event which began on Sydney Harbour in 1938. Notable designers such as Ben Lexcen, Bruce Farr, Iain Murray and Julian Bethwaite have all been successful as winners, with Murray leading the charge claiming six consecutive wins from 1977-1982. In 2014, 5-time winning skipper Seve Jarvin will seek to match the master as Jarvin leads the Gotta Love It 7 team with Sam Newton and Scott Babbage. Murray is now the Gotta Love It 7 team manager.

2014 JJ GILTINAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP – Race Schedule
March 1 – Race 1 (abandoned)
March 2 – Race 2
March 3 – Race 1 (re-sail)
March 4 – Race 3
March 5 – Race 4
March 6 – Race 5
March 8 – Race 6
March 9 – Race 7

List of Entries: 2014 JJ GILTINAN 18ft SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Gotta Love It 7 – Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton, Scott Babbage – Australia
2. Thurlow Fisher Lawyers – Michael Coxon, Dave O’Connor, Trent Barnabas – Australia
3. Mojo Wine – Chris Nicholson, Mike McKensey, Ricky Bridge – Australia
4. C-Tech – Alex Vallings, Chris Kitchen, Joshua McCormack – New Zealand
5. Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel – Jack Macartney, Mark Kennedy, Peter Harris – Australia
6. Sydney City Marine – David Witt, Tom Clout, Matt Wark – Australia
7. Smeg – Nick Press, Dan Phillips, Dave Ewings – Australia
8. Yamaha – David McDiarmid, Andrew Archibald, Mark Overington – New Zealand
9. Fisher & Paykel – Grant Rollerson, Peter Nicholson, Geoff Bauchop – Australia
10. Asko Appliances – Marcus Ashley-Jones, James Dorron, Jeronimo Harrison – Australia
11. Lumix – Jonathan Whitty, James Hozack, Aron Everett – Australia
12. Pica – Jamie Mears, Stewart Mears,Matt Searle – UK
13. CST Composites – Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin, Nick Catley – USA
14. Winning Appliances – Shane Smith, Shane Dickson, Jake Restall – Australia
15. Yandoo – John Winning, Andrew Hay, Jim Beck – Australia
16. Appliancesonline.com.au – Micah Lane, Paul Montague, Tom Anderson – Australia
17. Haier Appliances – Rick Peacock, Tristan Hutt, Nick Murray – UK
18. Rabbitohs-Kenwood – Brett Van Munster, Joel Castle, Kurt Fatouris – Australia
19. The Kitchen Maker – Will Phillips, Malcolm Page, Cameron McDonald – Australia
20. Knight Frank – Riley Dean, Matt Coutts, John Little – New Zealand
21. Original Chia – Flemming Clausen, Soren Clausen, tba – Denmark
22. De’Longhi-Rabbitohs – Simon Nearn, Kieryn Cowan, Keagan York – Australia
23. Pure Blonde – Nick Daly, John Walton, James Smithers – Australia
24. Black Dog – Jarrod Simpson, tba, tba – UK
25. Maersk Line – Graham Catley, Matt Randell, Brad Collins – New Zealand
26. Hyde Sails – Jack Grogan, Sam Caslin, Michael Banks – UK
27. Magic Marine – Norbetr Peter, Finn Mrugalla, Eike Dietrich – Germany
28. Compassforex.com.au – Pedro Vozone, Jakub Jankowski, Daniel Watson – Australia
29. EuroLink – Friedrich Renner, Christian Meissner, Thomas Eggersdorfer – Germany
30. PB Towage – Josh Franklin, Tristan Hamilton, Barry Flanagan – Australia
31. Viagogo – Alexandra South, Locky Pryer, James Slee – Australia
32. Ilve – Oliver Hartas, Josh Marks, Tim Lake – Australia
33. Brisbane 18 Footers – Laurie Williamson, Daniel Smith, Nathan Smittmann – Australia
34. CT Sailbattens – Skip McCormack, Jody McCormack, Joe Penrod – USA