6 Seconds

The Southern Cross Constructions crew, of Euan McNicol, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas, became the 2009 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff champions on Sunday after what onlookers described as “one of the craziest races ever seen on Sydney Harbour.” Going into the last leg of the final race, three boats could have been champion – Active Air-2UE, Southern Cross or Gotta Love It 7– depending on the final placings.It didn’t look like Southern Cross Constructions had a hope when the lads made a terrible start and trailed by over four minutes at the first windward mark, whilst their main opponents were vying for the lead. Macquarie Real Estate grabbed the lead on the spinnaker run, but Gotta Love It 7 took over on the following windward leg and established a comfortable lead until the end of the third lap and looked like winning the title. Yandoo, Active Air-2UE and Panasonic made gains on Gotta Love It 7 and Southern Cross started to move closer. The finish was an incredible sight, with skiffs approaching from all directions. Yandoo hung on to win, but it looked as though Active Air-2UE would take second place to clinch the championship. It was not to be; the young Panasonic crew was sailing beautifully and relegated Active Air-2UE to third place and, suddenly, Southern Cross was in amongst them. Just 6 seconds separated five skiffs and the championship belonged to Mc Nicol and his team as they finished in fourth place. Pic from Christophe Favreau and a ton more here.