The Australian 18 Footers League will continue its international 18ft skiff program when a strong 10-team challenge heads off for the European Championship, which will be sailed on Lake Garda, Italy from July 1-5.
Defending champion Finport Finance (Keagan York) and Yandoo, the current Giltinan world and Australian champion, head the team which also includes Queensland’s champion Big Foot Bags and Covers, skippered by Dave Hayter.
After missing the last two months of the recent 2023-24 Australian season due to hip surgery, three-times European champion John Winning returns to the helm of his champion Yandoo skiff with eyes firmly set on taking his tally in the championship to four wins.
Last year’s championship was a thriller with Finport Finport taking the title on a count back after finishing tied on points with Yandoo at the end of the 14-race regatta.
Australia’s teams for the 2024 European Championship are:
YANDOO John Winning, Fang Warren, Lewis Brake
FINPORT FINANCE Keagan York, Gus Williams, Phil Marshall
BIG FOOT BAGS & COVERS (Qld) Dave Hayter, Courtney Mahar, Elliott Mahar
SIXT Nathan Edwards, Alex Leslie, Locky Pryor
SHAW AND PARTNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES Emma Rankin, Adam Gilson, Tom Quigley
FISHER & PAYKEL Jordan Girdis, Josh Feldmann, Jacob Broome
MARINE OUTLET Brett Van Munster, Kurt Fatouros, Flynn Twomey
THE KITCHEN MAKER Lachlan Steel, Jerome Watts, Ben Kirkby
BURRAWANG-YOUNG HENRYS Simon Nearn, Grant Rollerson, Finn Rodowicz
TBA Dave Lightfoot, Jack Joiner, Peter Ivanic
