#historical18 – Ireland features in this week's Historical 18's Australian Championship in Sydney Harbour thanks to Royal Cork Yacht Club yachting legend Harold Cudmore at the helm of Yendys, one of 11 of the fantastic craft photographed here by Christophe Favreau. Carrying a crew of seven or more these early skiff designs date back as far as 1892.

In a replay of last year's final race, defending Historical 18ft Skiffs Australian champion John Winning steered Aberdare to victory on the first day of the 2015 Championship, after engaging in a race-long battle with Cudmore.

Born and raised in Cork, Cudmore became an internationally famous yacht racing skipper and match racer. Cudmore had success in classes from the International 505, where he placed second in the World and fourth in Europe, through classes like the Half-ton and One-Ton classes where he won the Worlds.

The final race for the Australian Historical championships will be held today.

More stunning photos below and on the Christophe Favreau site HERE