Hugh Stodart’s Asko Appliances has tightened her grip on the SP Systems Australian 18ft Skiff Championship following a third win from the four races sailed so far on Sydney Harbour today.

Asko took out race 4 by 39secs from Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) to extend her lead to three points with just two more races to be sailed.

Asko’s overall score is 6 points from threee wins and one third placing with Rag & Famish in second place on nine points.

Third in Race 4 and third overall is defending champion Casio Seapathfinder (Michael Coxon). Casio finished 1min45secs behind Rag & Famish and has an overall total of 15 points.

Club Marine held second placing overall going into Race 4 but will have to wait for confirmation of her correct pointscore. Her result (non finish) is provisional at this stage as skipper Euan Mc Nicol has lodged a protest against Omega Smeg (Daniel Phillips) follwing a collision of the first lap of the course.

Race 4 was sailed in an 8-15 knot north-east wind and Asko’s team continued their impressive form leading up to next month’s Giltinan Championship.

Race 5 of the 6-race Australian Championship will be sailed next Sunday with the final heat on Sunday 5 February.

Results

1 Asko Appliances

2 Rag & Famish Hotel

3 Casio Seapathfinder

4 Fisher & Paykel

5 Maytag

6 Ssangyong Yandoo

7 AAPT

8 CST Composites

9 Appliances Online

10 De Longhi

11 Omega Smeg

12 Belle Property

13 Toshiba

14 Active Air

15 Panasonic

16 Rosemount

17 Southern Cross Constructions

18 Noakes Youth

19 Wentworth Courier

20 Aristocrat

21 Club Marine

22 SX Projects