Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 TOP

18ft Skiffs- Smeg's second Red-Line run down Sydney harbour in 40kts

by Michael Chittenden on 19 Nov 2014
1 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts Michael Chittenden
In a sport which generally lacks characters, the 18ft skiffs have an over-supply.

David Witt is one of those, underlined by taking his boat and crew out last Sunday daring the rest of the Sydney fleet to race in a breeze of 30-40kts, on an otherwise ideal day on Sydney Harbour.

The crew made two runs down the harbour - here is a photo sequence from Michael Chittenden of the second.

An amazing piece of seamanship - but that is part of 18ft sailing - it's not the frigging Olympics!

Apologies for some camera shake - the chase boat was struggling to keep up at 27kts!

2 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
2 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


3 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
3 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


4 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
4 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


5 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
5 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


6- Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
6- Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


7 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
7 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


8 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
8 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


9 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
9 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden


10 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden
10 - Smeg on her second downwind flight on Sydney Harbour in 35-40kts © Michael Chittenden

North Sails Loft 57 PodcastHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

Clapcich & Harris deploy Météo France weather buoy
From the 11th Hour Racing IMOCA during the Transat Café L'OR Since 2015, the IMOCA Class has been working closely with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to make sailors key contributors to oceanographic research.
Posted today at 5:23 pm Keep them warm, keep them sailing
For junior sailors, the right kit isn't just about staying warm - it's about building confidence For junior sailors, the right kit isn't just about staying warm — it's about building confidence. When kids feel comfortable, they sail better, smile more, and stay out longer. That's why Rooster put together a simple Junior Winter Kit Guide.
Posted today at 4:00 pm Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series day 1
'Spicy' conditions for the series opener Arriving at RNIYC for the start of the 19th edition of the Winter Series, you were greeted by familiar faces and a few new ones. A look out to sea seemed to confirm conditions that Race Officer Gerry described as being 'spicy'.
Posted today at 3:07 pm X-Yachts In-House Boat Show 2025 this weekend
Featuring a full line-up of both cruising and performance yachts The X-Yachts yard in Haderslev opens its doors for a special edition of the In-House Boat Show 2025 — larger and more inspiring than ever.
Posted today at 12:00 pm America's Cup: Kiwis sail in seabreeze - Video
Emirates Team NZ sailed for a fourth successive day on the Hauraki Gulf, in their AC40. Emirates Team New Zealand sailed for a fourth successive day on the Hauraki Gulf, in their AC40. Today, they had a nice seabreeze, typical Takapuna conditions, which freshened during the day into a breeze averaging 15kts and gusting to 20kts.
Posted today at 10:07 am GWA Wingfoil World Cup Abu Dhabi overall
Spain's Nia Suardiaz lands third successive title while France's Bastien Escofet grabs first crown Spain's Nia Suardiaz landed her third successive FreeFly-Slalom world title in light conditions in Abu Dhabi, while the French veteran, Bastien Escofet, grabbed his first crown.
Posted today at 7:54 am Global Solo Challenge 2023 Prize Giving
And 2027 Skippers' Presentation The Global Solo Challenge will hold a special event in Vigo on Saturday 28 February 2026, celebrating the conclusion of the 2023-2024 edition and officially presenting the skippers entered in the 2027-2028 event.
Posted on 2 Nov Pivot on this
I despise the way ‘pivot' got used as many times as those wretched QR codes... Yes indeed. As much as I would hate to take people back to the COVID era, that's exactly what I've just done. Making that problematic trip back in time look good, is how much I despise the way ‘pivot' got used as many times as those wretched QR codes.
Posted on 2 Nov A Night Round the Mull
When Preparation Meets the Unexpected When the weather turns and the sea tests every decision, preparation becomes more than a plan, it becomes an instinct.
Posted on 2 Nov 17th Transat Café L'or Day 8
Not getting any easier - Nothing is clear for any of the four classes The ambition to have all four racing classes on the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR finish in Martinique is very much under threat because of the unusually complicated weather patterns on the Atlantic.
Posted on 2 Nov
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2025 Sail-World Sail-World Europe and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy