WINNING: Olympics, America’s Cup, and Queen of the Harbour

Now that the 75th anniversary of the world’s greatest 18 Footer event – 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship – was held earlier in March on Sydney Harbour, the Australian 18 Footers League can concentrate on what is really important…

Who will be Queen of the Harbour?

Annika Rose became the 2014 Queen of the Harbour when she teamed with John Winning Jr., Andrew Hay and Tom Slingsby on Yandoo, winning the annual race on March 23.

Yes, that’s Olympic Gold medalist and America’s Cup winning Tom Slingsby. But what is the Queen of the Harbour race? Frank Quealey of the Australian 18 Footers League explains…

The original concept began in the 1930s when each ‘queen’ raised funds for the club’s charity, which was the Children’s Hospital.

However, for many years there was little or no recognition given to the original event, and it wasn’t until the 1990s (I think from memory) that a race which included an additional female crew member was re-introduced.

While it is no longer a fund raiser, it does have its own uniqueness as each team chooses its own ‘queen’ for the day – usually a wife, girl friend or associated with the sponsor.

Some of the girls are sailors, some are usually followers each week on the spectator ferry and some are total novices, as was this year’s winner Annika Rose, who had never sailed previously.

Guess it’s a fun day for the girls and recognition of the support they give their male partners and the sport generally.

Nicole Douglass provides two videos from the event…

An interview with John “Herman” Winning Jr., Andrew “Noddy” Hay, Tom Slingsby, and Annika Rose – the 2014 Queen of the Harbour.

An onboard view from the 18’s Spectator Ferry, with wagering and watching the 18’s race on Sydney Harbour.

Photos by Frank Quealey