No one crossed our bow !
A secret 6am tactics meeting on race day proved the catalyst for Sutech’s all-the-way win in the prestigious Botany Bay Championship last Saturday.
Manly 16ft Skiff Club Skipper Daniel Turner and crew member Paul McKenzie headed down to Brookvale for a dawn catch-up with renowned sailing coach Robert ‘Baz’ Atkins at his sailmaking factory.
Atkins is seen as a ‘boat whisperer’ among the skiff fraternity and suggested a few tweaks to the boat’s rigging while passing on some advice ahead of the race.
The master’s advice proved spot on, with Sutech blitzing the opposition down at St George later that afternoon.
Turner, McKenzie and Steve Bowen combined to take out the scratch and handicap events, pocketing $1000.
Atkins can expect a schooner or two the next time he sets foot in the skiff club.
“We did a morning full of boat work with Baz and the legend pulled through for us again,” Turner said.
“We were down at the loft (sailmaking factory) at 6am and we gave the boat a complete tune-up and spoke about various things.
“I guess it showed during the race. It was worth getting up early.”
Asked what Sutech did right, Turner replied: “Everything. There were no hiccups at all.
“No-one crossed our bow. We led from start to finish which is a bloody amazing feeling.
“That’s pretty rare in that company. All the good guys were there and we were still able to win by six minutes.”
Skiffs from Belmont dominated the next three placings, with fifth-placed Growthbuilt (Ryan Wilmot) the best performed boat behind Sutech.
Manly clubmate Lee Sails (Sarah Lee) finished sixth.
Sutech completed the double by also claiming handicap honours from Lee Sails.
Turner has made no secret of the fact he is chasing major silverware this season after two years of moderate success.
Sutech will be one of the boats to beat when heat two of Manly’s club championship gets underway on Saturday afternoon.
