Yandoo takes the lead

After US team win the latest round of the Asko NSW State 18ft Skiff Championship

John Winning's Yandoo became the fourth different winner from the four heats of the Asko NSW State 18ft Skiff Championship sailed so far on Sydney Harbour.

Today, Yandoo defeated series leader Michael Coxon's Casio Seapathfinder by 18secs to win the race official although it was the American team led by Howie Hamlin (sailing by invitation in West Marine) which took line honours.

Third placing went to John Harris' Rag & Famish Hotel which came home 5secs behind Casio and just two seconds ahead of Anthony Young and his crew on Computer Associates.

With the final heat to be sailed next Sunday, Casio heads the pointscore on 8.75 points followed by Rag & Famish on 15, Omega Smeg (Daniel Phillips) 17.75, Yandoo 21.75, Asko Appliances (Hugh Stodart) 22.75 and Club Marine (Euan Mc Nicol) 23.

In a 10-12 knot northeasterly breeze, Club Marine led the fleet around the windward mark and down the first spinnaker run ahead of West Marine. By the second windward mark the Americans had opened up a 30 seconds head over Casio, with Yandoo third. They doubled this to more than one minute under spinnaker in an awesome display of power sailing.

While the West Marine crew retained a solid lead the battle for the official lead was intense with very little separating five boats.

Yandoo was challenged by Casio, Rag & Famish and Computer Associates on the final dash to the finish but Winning, Andrew Hay and Geoff Bauchop were up to the task in a great finish.

Results:

Pos	Boat	Elapsed Time	Handicap Place	NSW Points
1	Yandoo	01:22:15	4th	21.75
2	Casio Seapathfinder	01:22:33	12th	8.75 (1st)
3	Rag & Famish Hotel	01:22:38	6th	15 (2nd)
4	Computer Associates		5th	27
5	Club Marine		11th	23
6	SX Projects		2nd	35
7	Omega Smeg		8th	17.75 (3rd)
8	Team Morrison		3rd	55
9	Maytag		9th	29
10	Asko Appliances		15th	22.75
11	Churchills Sports Bar		1st	45
12	CST Composites		7th	47
13	Fisher & Paykel		10th	46
14	Belle Property		13th	55
15	Aristocrat		14th	75
16	Team Pomfret		16th	55
17	Panasonic	Non-Finisher		67
18	Rosemount	Non-Finisher		87
19	AAPT	Disqualified		95