Wobbly Boot wins Charter Yachts Australia trophy series on Pioneer Bay

6:35 AM Mon 12 Jan 2009 GMT

'Wobbly Boot' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Craig Piccinelli easily claimed the 2008 Whitsunday Sailing Club short course championship after steering Wobbly Boot to a four point win in the Charter Yachts Australia trophy series on Pioneer Bay.

Piccinelli and crew of good mates have successfully created a champion out of the Jim Young designed sloop completing a unique story when they bought the yacht after a client - builder dispute.

They had no intention of leaving her on the 'Scrap Heap' combining some dedicated care with a fun filled sailing attitude to convincingly win six of the monthly trophies to become the undisputed Short Course champion for 2008.
Wobbly Boot expressed her consistency over the complete range of wind and sea conditions to cap off a great year with a 6-2-1 score to dominate the 12 month program.

A measure of her consistency was reflected in the last race of the year when the Wobbly Boot crew became involved in yet another tactical struggle to match the handicap rated speed of arch rival John Galloway's Queensland Marine Services.

Skipper Piccinelli held the edge narrowly winning the battle for line honours by 7 seconds while John Galloway and crew reversed the result on corrected handicap clinching a 5 second win with Tim Osbourne's Rising Farrst filling third another 5 seconds astern.

The results from the past year will force carpenter Craig Piccinelli to add an extension to his trophy room or share the Airlie Sails, Hog's Breath. Abel Point Yacht Sales, Emultihulls, Whitsunday Escape and Charter Yachts of Australia trophies with his crew.

This would be a fitting reward as the crew including 'Old Salt' Roger Vickery have collectively contributed the same time and effort to allow Wobbly Boot to become the star performer for 2008.

They will be back onboard when she commences the defence of the Airlie Sails trophy this month in what could prove to be challenging conditions presented by the highly active monsoon season.

There is a strong possibility that the fleet will face wet and windy conditions which will suit Wobbly Boot.

However Craig Piccinelli and the Wobbly Boot crew are well aware that there will be no chance to rest on their laurels because his major rivals have selected Wobbly Boot as the tactical target when the Airlie Sails trophy final is decided on Pioneer Bay later this month.

Whitsunday Sailing Club Life Member Jim Hayes claimed another career milestone during 2008 when Australian Sabot Class officials recognised his services to junior sailing by naming National Sabot Week in his honour.

This completed another successful year for the dedicated Whitsunday Sailing Club Flag Officerand volunteer who combined with Bruce Carter and Klaus Lorenz to win the Silver Medal with The Thong during the Australian Corsair championships on Brisbane's Bramble Bay 'Torture Track' in September.

The Thong combination have continued to show their class on the North Queensland interclub racing circuit and have stepped up their training and racing to 'Go For Gold' in 2009.

by Ian Grant

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