|
 |
Yachting Australia Corporate Partner
|
|
Yachting Australia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Youth Sailors Confirm Their Intentions
Thursday 9th January 2003
Last year’s Australian representatives at the ISAF Youth Worlds have today confirmed their intentions of representing Australia for their second year in a row. With the 420 Boys, 420 Girls and Laser Radial fleets being highly dominated by last year’s representatives, the 2003 Youth Team looks fairly decided with still one day of racing left to complete.
Day three of racing in the Australian Youth Championship began in calmer conditions than previously encountered, with a light onshore breeze greeting competitors. With three back to back races scheduled to account for some of the time that was lost yesterday when strong winds halted racing, competitors prepared themselves for a long day on the water.
The Cadet fleet started first, with a black flag start following two general recalls. The fleet was having trouble starting cleanly due to constant 30degree wind shifts, which caused some difficulty for the Race Committee trying to lay the start line. Only two boats out of the fleet of 66 broke the black flag start and were disqualified.
The Optimists sailed one race, and were then brought ashore for a break. When they left the beach again for their second race the breeze had swung to the south and built considerably. Most sailors handled the conditions well with few capsizes.
The Youth fleets were postponed for an hour and fifteen minutes before their first start sequence was underway, leaving sailors frustrated with the swinging breeze. Eventually the 420s, 29ers and Mistral were away and racing. The Lasers however, were having trouble with the outgoing tide pushing them over the line prematurely. After two general recalls the Race Committee went to a black flag start, getting the race away just in time to finish the 29ers.
By the time the second race started the sea-breeze had kicked in at about 15 knots. With only one individual recall in the Girls 420 fleet, and one general recall in the Lasers, all fleets sailed a fast race in the strengthening breeze.
Capsizes in the 29er fleet were becoming more frequent, with one boat retiring from the second race, and another returning to the beach before the start of the third. “It was a bit strong for us. We finished the first two races but came in before the third as the breeze had picked up too much. We put a small crack in the hull during a capsize as well.” said Steven Bradford, crewing for Luke Hookings from Port Lincoln Yacht Club.
The 420 Boys and Girls fleets finished without any incidents. The 2002 ISAF Youth World Gold Medallists Nathan Outteridge and Ayden Menzies won three out of three races, confirming their intentions of representing Australia for their second year at the World Championship.
The 420 Girls division was also lead by Elise Rechichi and Rayshele Martin – 2002 ISAF Youth World Silver Medallists, who also have won all five heats so far.
The Laser Radial was dominated by Krystal Weir, last year’s representative in the Radial, again having not placed worse than first all series.
The Laser fleet has been dominated by Richard Ironmonger from Victoria, who has won four out of the five races, after having a slow start with his fourth placing in the first race.
The 29er fleet is still open to interpretation, with a battle ensuing between NSW crews Tom Clout and crew Sam Newton, against Clint and Ty Marshall, both equally eligible for the title.
The final three races will be conducted tomorrow, with the presentation scheduled for 7.30pm tomorrow night at Adelaide Sailing Club. The Optimist Presentation will be held at the club tonight, while the Australian Cadet Championship concludes on Saturday.
Erin Cameron
