Britannia is a replica of the oldest design in the fleet,
designed and built in 1919 by George (“Wee Georgie”)
Robinson, which is now on display at the Australian
National Maritime Museum.
Smith built an exact replica of Britannia using plans
and information prepared by the museum during the
restoration process and from closely examining the
original boat using the traditional methods and materials
of the original.
The newest replica in the fleet, of My r a To o, Bill
Barnett’s 1951 international championship winner,
skippered by Phil Barnett whose father Don was a cousin
of Bill, still lacks a number one rig but showed good speed
to finish third over the line in race one, sixth in race two
and fourth in race three.
But the authenticity rating system does not treat her
kindly and she finished tenth overall.
Her crew members included Adam South who crewed
with Barnett for Trevor Barnabas aboard Chesty Bond in
his first JJ Giltinan Championship win on the Swan in
Perth in 1987 and again in 1988 when Chesty Bond was
joint winner with Rob Brown’s Southern Cross on Sydney
Harbour; Barnett’s son Daniel and South’s daughter Alex.FORMULA FUN
The historicals attract a mix of age and experience,
male and female; skiff sailing veterans no longer
nimble enough to jump out on the wire, their children
intrigued by the complexity of the sail-handling system,
youngsters just looking for a sail with some wise old guys
and complete newcomers.
Gaetano Russo, the youngest in Winning’s crew by
a long way, is from Sicily. “He was wandering around
the boat park for the first race of the previous season
(2013-14) and we were short of crew so he came out
with us and has been sailing with us most of the time
since,” says Bob Chapman. “He is a bit out there; his
own man in a very Italian way.”
For all, they are hard work. “I am absolutely stuffed,”
said Lawson Abbott in the boat park after working the
mainsheet on Yendys in race one.She carried an enormouS Spread of Sail and after bliStering
downwind performanceS She became the “ the galloping ghoSt.”
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THE GALLOPING GHOSTThe starts were closely fought.