A long tough summer for Oz!

After coming so very close in 2003, Rob Greenhalgh's RMW Team took this year's JJ Giltinan Trophy in the 18-Foot Skiffs, marking yet another win for the invaders. Andy Rice talked to this year's winners

Rob Greenhalgh and his RMW Marine team have finally won the 18ft Skiffs' unofficial world championship on Sydney Harbour: the JJ Giltinan International Trophy. The yellow skiff from Great Britain achieved victory in dominant style, taking the regatta with a race to spare.

The RMW team have finally put to rest the ghost of past Giltinans, when their clear speed and boathandling edge marked them out as favourites for the past three seasons, but bad luck or poor judgment put them out of the running.

And even at the start of the penultimate race of the 2004 edition it looked as though history might be about to repeat itself, when Greenhalgh was squeezed out at the start. RMW gybed round on to port as the fleet set out towards Bradley's Head in a noreaster. Greenhalgh wanted the left side of the course too, but would have to play catch up. He did that in fine style, coming back from virtual last in a good-quality 22-boat fleet after an intense effort. Winner in 2000, John Winning aboard Yandoo, was impressed: 'They were back in it before you knew it. We crossed their bow when they went into Bradley's and they crossed ours coming out.'

To read the remainder of this article please go to the February 2004 edition of Seahorse, available at selected newsstands or by calling: + 44 (0) 1590 671899 or by email at: info@seahorse.co.uk

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