This Week In Sailing - 19th January 2023

2023 RL24 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Congratulations to all and the winners of the 2023 RL24 National Championships 50th Anniversary

National Championship

RL24 Drop Keel – OAHU-RUA/Simon Walsh

RL24 Swing Keel -WHATEVER | Mitch Dyer

Invitation Series Winner

RL24 Drop Keel – Lowana 5 | Simon Vaughan

RL25 Swing Keel – Costalot | Damien Van Deudekom

The 50th anniversary of the RL24 national Australian championships, held at the renowned Southport Yacht Club in Hollywell, was a week of spectacular sailing and celebration for the entire sailing community. Skippers and their crews from all over the country came together to contend for the coveted title of National Champion and honour the legacy of the RL24 class.

The racing was intense and exhilarating, with sailors pushing their vessels to the limit in pursuit of victory. The sailors displayed their tactical brilliance and technical proficiency as they navigated the challenging conditions of the racecourse. Despite the competitive nature of the event, the atmosphere remained congenial and sportsmanlike, with sailors encouraging and supporting each other.

The Southport Yacht Club did an outstanding job in organizing the event, ensuring that every aspect of the event was meticulously planned and executed, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. The 50th anniversary of the RL24 class was a true celebration of the enduring legacy of the RL24 and the passion that sailors have for this iconic design.

Results link: http://files.southportyachtclub.com.au/results/2022/specevents/2023RL50th/SGrp49.htm?ty=46411

O’PEN SKIFF AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2023

Congratulations to Addison Newlan who travelled all the way to Western Australia to compete in the O’pen Skiff Australian Championships at the South of Perth Yacht Club. Addy came an impressive 2^nd out of 38 Skiffs in the Gold Fleet.

Results link: https://www.topyacht.net.au/results/2023/sailparadise/

Photo Courtesy: South of Perth Yacht Club

SUMMER RACING WONDERS

By: Addy Newlan

A few weeks in and it’s already a busy year! After three back-to-back events over the last three weeks, I have unlocked more skills and developed my sailing even further than before. Starting with my first trip down to Tasmania where I competed onboard Maritimo 11 for the King of the Derwent river race. With light breezes calling for the number 2 jib and short course strategy playing a massive part to get ahead of fellow competitors, including local Tasmanian boat ‘Alive’, the crew on board Maritimo had their work cut out for them. But with an amazing crew and a glamour boat, we came away 1st overall defending Maritimo’s title!

After this great achievement, myself and Michael Spies then travelled north to compete in the NS14 2022/2023 Nationals, located in Port Dalrymple. With some last-minute boat repairs taking place just before the regatta I was a little bit nervous when we hit the water on day one. After placing 13th and 11th we left day one feeling sore but more comfortable in the boat after some heavy winds tested our boat skills and fitness. Day two was again heavier winds that involved a big learning curve for me crewing and trimming the jib. Day three showed some lighter conditions which were perfect for us on Maritimo coming away at the end of the day top boat! Unfortunately following this glamour day we snapped our rudder box in the second race and even though Michael did some repairs with the materials available we, unfortunately, timed out of the race. Day five was a day of playing catch-up, trying to claw back places we lost the day before and with some hard work in 12 to 15 knots of breeze we managed to come away lead boat out of the classic boats competing, and 2nd in the handicap division.

After a quick pack up it was then time to drive to the airport for my late-night flight from Launceston, to be ready for the O’pen skiff Nationals in Perth the next morning. After swapping the tracksuit pants and hoodie from Tasmania to shorts and t-shirts in Perth, it was time to get racing. Day one was a challenging day trying to get used to the new environment and boat, but with local weather reports from a member of the crew on Maritimo 11, I came away with a 15th and 18th. I was a bit disappointed with these results so pushed myself even more the following day, with a postponed start due to no wind and then a rapid increase in pressure, I came away from day two weary from 15 to 18 knots and with a 1st, 13th, 9th, 4th and 1st. Day three started off with glass out winds of 2 to 5 knots and managing to get in one race, I came out 10th, overtaking two boat metres before the finish line. The afternoon session saw much steadier pressure, winning me a 3rd and 7th. The last day of racing was the tiebreaker for me as I was losing 3rd place on a count back – the last two races really counted! With my most consistent day yet – two 2nd places, I was crossing my fingers hoping I had done enough. The presentation showed I had not only achieved enough for 3rd but 2nd overall finishing three points ahead of 3rd place. Going from 16th to 2nd in just 13 races was a big win for me!

So to sum it all up (before this article gets longer than a salty sailor’s story!) this has been a crazy, busy, amazing, wonderful experience and we’re only just getting started!

50th HOBIE NATIONALS

Congratulations to our SYC Hobie 16 sailors who travelled in the New Year to Jervis Bay to compete in the 50^th Hobie Nationals (celebrating 50 years of Hobie sailing in Australia).

7^th Phil & James Kellond-Knight (Bob)

32^nd Dave & Brianna Vincent (Waka Taua)

Full results here:

https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/bmc7ekc0nizesxhn.pdf

Photo Courtesy: Australian Hobie Class Association

2023 MUSTO AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Final results are in for the 2023 Musto Australian Optimist Championship held at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Sydney from 9th to 14th of January. Our amazing Junior sailors have done us proud!

Intermediate Fleet

4^th Calvin Ciganek (Torpedo)

5^th Nathaniel McCarthy (Splash)

25^th Lucas Dickson (Sonic)

34^th Teegan Mitchell (Tally-ho Tiger)

36^th Mila Gan (Glitter Bomb)

Green Fleet

6^th Addison Greenwood (Wizz Fizz)

8^th Jack McGuire (The Jackal)

16^th Evie McGuire (Ocean Spirit)

20^th Lyla Greenwood (Zig Zag)

25^thTiffany Ciganekova (Tiffany)

Results link: https://sailingresults.net/?ID=81511&fbclid=IwAR3lnH59BKgQM2NuL81cDBf28lcCYEMvfi0CSVBthALnN4GIcBxW7LrXrc4

Photos Courtesy: Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

JULIAN ROCKS 2023 (SSSA)

Congratulations to all the WINNERS and all participants of the 2023 Julian Rocks which was held offshore from the Gold Coast to Julian Rocks off Byron Bay last 14th January 2023.

THIS WEEK @ OXENFORD WATERSPORT CENTRE AND SQUAD UPDATE

Sailor of the Week

This weeks Sailor of the week is Mila Gan!

Mila has been sailing at SYC from Tackers 1 and has rapidly progressed to the Sailing Team at Hollywell. She has been participating at various regattas in QLD with a notable result of first female in the Opti Intermediate fleet at Sail Brisbane. At the 2023 Opti Nationals held in early January this year Mila received the sportsmanship award out of 178 sailors for towing her friend back into shore with her boat. We are all very proud of your achievements Mila keep up the good work!