Just about everyone is saying it’s “anyone’s guess” when it comes to predicting a clear favourite for the 2024-25 The Boat Club Australian 16ft Skiff Championships, set to be sailed at Queensland’s Hervey Bay from January 4-11.
Rarely has the pre-regatta form line been so blurred between the top crews, or the tote board so jam-packed with dark horses. Boat speed and boat handling differentials are negligible, which means a simple mistake can quickly cost five to 10 places in the field of 56 starters.
Heidi Batest helming Harken © Promocean Media
East Coast Marine © Promocean Media
The Sunshine State’s weather, while generally living up to its ‘beautiful one day’ billing, has also been unsettled prior to Christmas. Event organisers from the Queensland Skiff Sailing Association (QSSA) are now hoping that clear skies and south-east tradewinds will prevail during the regatta window. Northerly breezes are more fickle and make launching and retrieval at host club Maryborough Sailing Club (MSC) a challenge in itself. Tidal variations of up to 3m will also come into play.
One consistent is that MSC has successfully staged the national title five times since 1986-87, most recently in 2015-16. Club President Rollo Nicholson approached the QSSA two years ago to seek another shot, while also taking on three heats of the recent Queensland State Titles in concert with Brisbane Sailing Squadron and Darling Point Squadron.
The state series drew 10 skiffs, however only seven will line up for the nationals and QSSA Secretary Anthony Parnwell believes local knowledge won’t be a decisive factor, given the pedigree of the interstate raiders.
“Our top six or seven crews were regularly finishing within 2 to 5 minutes of each other, so the fleet is definitely compressing as we upgrade gear and push each other harder. We had 4 different heat winners across our 6 state title races” Parnwell says. “But it’s a similar story at the leading NSW clubs – the standard is just so high that anyone can win on their day.
“Damen, skippered by Carlton Smith with Kye Hawgood and Mark Newton, has been the dominant boat up here for the past few years and they again took out the recent series. Kye is unavailable for the nationals but his replacement, Josh Mortensen, is very capable.”
Defending champion Sarah Lee on Bosker Build © Promocean Media
Nathan Wilmot steering Imagine Signage © Promocean Media
Coates QLD is another local to watch as it has VX One champion Ben Franklin as stand-in skipper, joining Angus Morrison and Adrian Manning. Franklin’s sports-boat crewman, Max Yoshida, is steering Pipes to Pavements and, as a former Sabot national titleholder, will be comfortable in big fleets. Ex-Belmont skiff SKE Electrical is now in the hands of Aidan Geck, Zane Hawgood and David McKay and should have good pace.
South of the border, the 2024-25 NSW 16ft Skiff Titles saw the cream rise to the top but also curdle in some cases. Notably, Bosker Build (Sarah Lee) and Imagine Signage (Nathan Wilmot) were on the wrong side of protest decisions. Both skippers have claimed the national gong before, Lee defending her ground-breaking win at St George last January and again looking formidable.
Wilmot, an Olympic gold medallist and multiple 470 world champion, won in 2021-22 and invariably finds an extra gear at major regattas. He brings a talented crew in Ricky Bridge and Simon Hoffman.
Manly’s Red Pumps (Tyler Dransfield) was the NSW victor despite not winning any of the four heats, with clubmates Modern Concept Constructions (Kurt Hansen) and Moonen Yachts (Daniel Turner) second and third respectively. All could snare the Australian silverware, although leading Belmont skiffs Contender Sailcloth (Will Howard), East Coast (Banjo Nicholson), Insight NAVS (Rod Carter) and Skelcon (Henry Makin) will fancy their chances too.
Damen © Promocean Media
The 13ft Skiff national title being staged in conjunction with the 16s has attracted 21 entries – 15 of whom are making the trek from Manly on Sydney Harbour. Last year’s winner, CyberTechGroup, will mount a defence against runner-up Jemma Hopkins aboard EBIX. The form performer, though, is current NSW titleholder Harken helmed by Heidi Bates.
“One thing for sure is that Hervey Bay is a fantastic place to sail and also enjoy family holiday,” Anthony Parnwell adds. “It has the tropical blue water, a laid-back clubhouse and the off-the-beach aspect adds to the welcoming feel.”
The nine-race series commences on Sunday, January 5, and concludes on Saturday, 11 January. Key regatta sponsors are The Boat Club Hervey Bay, Fraser Coast Regional Council and Fraser Island Boat Charters. More details at the event website.
