New skiffs skipper has the wind in his sails with Brydens

THE crew of Brydens Compensation Lawyers know just how vital early wins are in Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club’s championship series.

THE crew of Brydens Compensation Lawyers know just how vital early wins are in Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club’s championship series, so the loss of their two leading skippers could have been catastrophic.

Skipper Lee Knapton and regular fill-in Dave O’Connor were both unavailable for the club championship opener, leading to a call-up for rookie Ashley Rooklyn.

The transition proved seamless.

Rooklyn is more accustomed to an 18-footer but you wouldn’t have known as he guided Brydens to a come-from-behind victory in a 16-knot nor’easter.

SKIPPER TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE

“(Sheethand) Pete (Mackie) and I are fairly used to sailing with and adapting to different skippers,” bowman Ricky Bridge said.

“The boat is well set up and we have our systems and crew work well-established, which makes it accommodating for someone to step on and skipper the boat well.

Brydens Compensation Lawyers is making a big splash.

“I think this was Ash’s second time skippering a 16ft skiff and he did a superb job.”

It wasn’t looking so flash for Rooklyn early in the race as Fluid Building Services (Clint Bowen) led the fleet off the start and Botany Access (Chris Thomas) and Fluid Remedial (Matt Stenta) got the early jump in the lumpy conditions.

But shortly after rounding the top mark Fluid Remedial capsized and Bowen dropped back through the fleet, allowing Brydens to strike.

The skipper put his match racing skills in action, clearing out to a 48-second win