SYDNEY 18 FOOTERS
PHOTOGRAPHS NIGEL SHARP
On the first weekend in February, the historical Sydney Harbour 18 Footers held the third and final race of its Australian Championships. While there are no original boats still in commission, 11 replicas of boats originally built between 1906 and 1950 were produced between 1993 and 2013, and these are based at the having had a second and a first, a first and third, and a third and second. With a forecast of “a horrible westerly 10 to 15kts, meaning 0 to 20 with big shifts,” according to Ian Smith – builder, owner and skipper – most boats opted for a number 2 or even a number 3 rig, while set her biggest mainsail and number 2 jib. Furthermore, with three-times Contender word champion Barry Watson on the helm, established an early significant lead after making a bold but perfect start on port tack. She then stayed comfortably in front all the way to the finish, thus clinching the championships and the Galloping Ghost trophy.
