Yandoo. Image copyright Frank Quealey.
by Frank Quealey
John ‘Woody’ Winning is regarded in Australian 18 Footer Sailing circles as the ‘modern day Mark Foy’ due to his achievements in prospering the present fleet and the introduction of the 3-Buoys handicap system which has revolutionized the ‘handicap’ racing on Sydney Harbour.
How appropriate that ‘Woody’, who has won every major international championship over a period of 35 years, has now added the ‘2011 Mark Foy Trophy’ to his long list of victories.
Race Day 1
Race Day 2
Race Day 3
Race Day 4
Race Day 5
Along with his team of Andrew Hay and David Gibson, ‘Woody’ took the YANDOO skiff to victory against a 20-boat fleet at Sonderborg, Denmark last week.
Final placings were:
1 Yandoo, Australia
2 Pica, UK
3 CT Sailbattens, New Zealand
4 Mounts Bay, Australia
5 Panasonic, Australia
6 CST Composites, USA
Next on-the-water challenge for ‘Woody’ and his YANDOO team will be the San Francisco International Championship (21-26 August) before returning to Australia for the Australian 18 Footers League’s season, which begins on Sydney Harbour on Sunday, 9 October.
In the meantime, the unstoppable Winning will be at the forefront of the League’s planning for the 2011-2012 Australian season.
As Club President, he has a very ‘hands-on’ involvement in producing a quality, competitive fleet on behalf of competitors, sponsors and supporters of the Sydney Racing, and has been instrumental in the revival of the Western Australian and Queensland fleets.
John, Andrew and David are great representatives of the sport and worthy winners of the 2011 Mark Foy Trophy.
18 Footers League
