Michael Coxon is a two times winner of the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, a former Australian champion and current NSW champion, and is the skipper of Thurlow Fisher Lawyers in the 2016 JJ Giltinan Championship, sponsored by appliancesonline.com.au, on Sydney Harbour from 13-21 February.
Michael’s new Thurlow Fisher Lawyers-sponsored boat was built just prior to the start of this season and his top rating team is Trent Barnabas, in the bow, and Dave O’Connor on the sheet.
Although the team didn’t win one of the races during the recent nationals, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers finished second behind Smeg, but it seems they may be ‘flying under the radar’ as some followers are talking up the JJ chances of their main rivals.
Underestimating the chances of the Thurlow Fisher team in 2016 would be a great mistake as the crew are proven winners of major championships and know how to time their run into the big regattas.
Coxon’s usual pre-championship preparation is based on meticulous work with his equipment in the local park, then time on the water to fine tune the crew work of the talented trio.
Thurlow Fisher’s forward hand Trent Barnabas is the son of five times JJ Giltinan champion Trevor Barnabas, and is also a multiple winner of the championship. Trent knows that to win a major championship it is not always the ’flashy’ competitor that takes the title, but the consistent team which is still ‘alive’ going into the final race.
Michael Coxon has shown over the years that he has the ability to tread the fine line between driving his boat to the max while still maintaining the consistency which keeps his team ‘alive’ for the entire regatta.
This team is always one to watch and will be there amongst the contenders on the critical final day.
LIST OF ENTRIES
1 Gotta Love It 7: Seve Jarvin, John Winning Jr., Nick Catley
2 Thurlow Fisher Lawyers: Michael Coxon, Trent Barnabas, Dave O’Connor
3 Smeg: Lee Knapton, Mike McKensey, Ricky Bridge
4 Yamaha: David McDiarmid, Matthew Steven, Bradley Collins
5 Appliancesonline.com.au: David Witt, Tom Anderson, Tom Clout
6 Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel: Jack Macartney, Peter Harris, Joel Castle
7 Compassmarkets.com: Keagan York, Matt Stenta, Angus Williams
8 C-Tech: Alex Vallings, Scott Barnes, Russell Wilson, (George Brassell)
9 Asko Appliances: Marcus Ashley-Jones, James Dorron, Fang Warren
10 Yandoo: John Winning, Andrew Hay, Jim Beck
11 AON: Will Tiller, David Hazard, Harry Thurston
12 Triple M: John Sweeny, Rob Bell, Paul Montague
13 Lumix: Jonathan Whitty, Aron Everett, Greg Dixon
14 Knight Frank: Riley Dean, Matt Coutts, John Little
15 Noakes Youth: Ash Rooklyn, Rhys Mara, Daniel Nixon
16 Peroni: Nick Daly, John Walton, Troy Botting
17 Maersk Line: Graham Catley, Carl Evans, Josh McCormack
18 De’Longhi: Simon Nearn, Grant Rollerson, Kieran Cowan
19 Noakesailing: Sean Langman, Peter Langman, Gerard Smith
20 The Kitchen Maker: Andrew Chapman, Ewan Duckworth, Peter Kendall
21 GBR 47 The Black Dog: Jarrod Simpson, Nick Murray, Sam Pascoe
22 Mojo Wine: James Ward, Phil Marshall, Rick Plain
23 LED (Low Energy Design): Steve McLean, Owen Bowerman, Morgan Peach
24 Alcatel One Touch: Stephen Quigley, Thomas Quigley, Sam Ellis
25 Ilve: Oliver Hartas, Mark Muirhead, Iain Wood
26 Haier Appliances: Pedro Vozone, Tim Westwood, Lorenzo Cerretelli
27 The Rutland Chandlery: Tom Hill, Scott Bonner, Mark Kudlinski
28 ASCC: Murray England, Sam Trewethey
29 Fineline Ropes: Adrian France, Ellie Aldridge, Hamish McGill
30 Chameleon Recruitment Software: Graham Bridle, Eddie Bridle, Ben Rushton
– Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
