Vaikobi leads the 18ft Skiff Sixt Spring Series
by Frank Quealey 30 Oct 06:09 UTC
Since the beginning of last season's (2023-24) 18 footer campaign, the Vaikobi team of Kirk Mitchell (skipper), Andrew Stephenson (sheet hand) and Daniel Barnett (bow) have been one of the most consistent teams in the fleet and their form continues now as the team leads the Sixt Spring Championship after the first two races of the six-race series.
Going into next Sunday's third race on Sydney Harbour, which will be held in conjunction with Race 2 of the Club Championship, Vaikobi (4 points) holds a two-point lead over Rag & Famish Hotel (Harry Price) on six points. Balmain (Henry Larkings) is next on 8 points, followed by Burrawang-Young Henrys (Simon Nearn) on 10, Sixt (Jacob Marks) 14 and The Kitchen Maker (Lachlan Steel) on 16 points.
Vaikobi's success is the result of the team members' understanding of what is required to win major championships and are looking forward to being in line to win the Australian and Giltinan titles once the first half of the season is completed at the end of 2024.
Mitchell and Stephenson teamed to win the Australian Cherub Championship while Barnett comes from a world and Australian championship-winning family. His father, Phil won both world and Australian championships in the 1980s and 1990s; grand-father Don did the same in the 1960s.
According to Kirk, "Andrew and I have put boats together before coming into the 18s, so we knew what was required when the League gave us such a great opportunity with a brand new boat last season."
"When we got the boat we were prepared to put in the necessary hours, even after work each day, to prepare the boat to the standard we wanted."
Commenting on the team's consistency, "When we go racing our aim is to minimise losses due to crew work. This is our third season together and I believe we are getting better each season."
The crew's attitude and level of preparation/management is obvious and certainly a big part of the consistency they have enjoyed since the beginning of the 2023-24 season. It will also go a long way to help the team reach their target at the 2024-25 Australian Championship, at Brisbane in January.
Kirk added, "We are really looking forward to the regatta, which I believe is the first major championship in Brisbane for 30 years or more, and a great boost for both the class and Brisbane."
"We also like the concept of the series where we will have six races over three consecutive days."
"Our original plan was to take our boat to Brisbane before the start of the Sydney season and contest the Queensland Championship as part of preparation for the nationals. Unfortunately, the regatta had to be cancelled when Queensland's leading boats were delayed on their return home from Europe."
That thinking is the type of attitude that is showing up when the Vaikobi team takes to the water each week on Sydney Harbour, and will go a long way to help them achieve their target.
Sunday's race is a scratch start for Race 2 of the Club Championship and, according to an early forecast, is expected to be raced in a 20-knot north east wind.
Vaikobi is one of six strong challengers for a race win. Others are Race 1 winner Rag & Famish Hotel, Yandoo (John Winning), Lazarus (Tom Cunich), Finport Finance (Keagan York) and Balmain.
A strong chance in Race 3 of the Sixt Spring Championship is Smeg (Nathan McNamara), which has been racing without much luck so far. Their big challenges could come from Burrawang-Young Henrys, Sixt and The Kitchen Maker.
With such brilliant conditions expected, supporters can take the opportunity to go out onto the race track and watch the action aboard the club's spectator ferry, which leaves Double Bay Public Wharf at 2pm.