13ft Skiff Botany Bay Championship
From Little Things Big Things Grow
The 13ft division of the Botany Bay Championships is only its infancy, but it’s impact on young sailors is plainly obvious.
While the 16ft class celebrated the 116th running of the prestigious event on Saturday, the 13s’ title has only been around since 2011/12 and staged sporadically over the past 14 years.
But from little things, big things grow and the BBC 13s is fast building a heritage of its own after again becoming a regular part of the skiff circuit.
A record 21 boats entered this year’s race and it was Manly’s Botany Access (Harrison Thomas/Ben Milham) continuing its great late season form to take out the title.
Just 17 seconds separated Botany Access from second-placed Manly clubmate Red Pumps Manly (Jemma Hopkins/Harvey Windust) with Buck & Simple (Lachlan Jansen/Max Barrett) close behind in third.
Manly boats filled the top six places and 10 of the first 11, with St George’s Infinity Rigging (Tom Hughes) breaking up the monopoly in seventh.
For 14-year-old Harrison Thomas, the enormity of his team’s victory dawned on him when the silverware was placed in his hands.
“I didn’t realise before how big it was and how long it’s been going on, but now I do,” he said of the whole Botany Bay Championships history.
“It’s a hard race and a good one to win.
“We didn’t have the best start but we gained a lot on our first upwind when we went right and most boats went left.
“We got back to second and then we caught them on the last downwind.
“We seem to be getting better as the season goes on and are looking forward to getting a few more races in before it’s over.”
Hopkins was disappointed not to have hung on for the win but still came away smiling.
She said: “It was a very good race and very tight towards the end. We led almost the whole way around but it was very hard to find the next mark, especially when we split from the 16s (fleet) as they went for their second lap.
“We were still very happy with our result and well done to Harry and Ben on their win.
“It’s good to see the 13 fleet as a whole progressing this quickly, both in size and competition.”
There was more joy for Manly in the handicap division, with Levi Windust and Cooper Lowe claiming the win aboard Botany Scaffold.
“It was a long hard race but it was light wind which suited us. Big thanks to my crew Cooper for pointing out all the lifts and gusts which made a huge difference,” Levi said.
“Cooper and I have come a long way since the start of the season and it’s great to see all the hard work pay off by taking out the handicap. Next year we’ll be looking to take out the win on scratch!”
Botany Access/Scaffold managing director Justin Brownbill, whose association with the club stretches back 25 years, was one happy sponsor after hearing of his boats’ one-two finish.
He said: “We’re so happy for Harry and Jemma and so happy to back them and the club.
“We’ve seen all the hard work that has gone in to getting this far and we’re very excited for them and happy to be a part of it for a long time to come.”
