This Week In Sailing - 20th April 2023

CATS PASSAGE RACING

By: Hudson McKee

I was lucky enough to step out of the Office on Saturday to get on the water for the Cats Passage racing. As this was the last day of the series, I am sure that all sailors were eager to get out and put one last effort into the Passage races. I was sent out on a boat with Volunteer, Lindsay Kaynes, who explained the process of ensuring the safety of the boats, and keeping an eye on those at the front and the back of the fleet. Always keeping a lookout for any oncoming traffic that might affect or interfere with the course. It was sunny, with blue skies and for the two races, all boats had clear starts, beginning the race with a competitive edge as they cross the line under the perfect weather. Congratulations to the Series Winners:

Div 1 : Steve Marlow and Jonathan Simms in Loco

Div 2 : Nigel Lawrence in Bellella

Div 3 : Jian Chew in Tonic.

THIS WEEK @ OXENFORD WATERSPORT CENTRE AND SQUAD UPDATE

By: Michaela Hanson

Fun in the Sun

This week at SYC Oxenford the sun was shining and the variable wind conditions tested the sailing skills of past and new school holiday program participants. We also kicked off our adult social sailing sessions on Sunday with 9 adults from our Adult Learn to Sail and She Sails programs returning. Adult social sailing has been introduced as a way to help and support adults to sail on a regular basis to maintain their skills and knowledge.

ILCA Youth Easter Meet, Italy

Over the Easter break one of our club instructors and sailors, Myles Wilson, competed at the ILCA Easter Meet at Lake Garda in Italy. Sailing a Laser, Myles was placed 18th out of 179 competitors from across Europe and was the only Australian sailor. Congratulations Myles!

SAILOR of the WEEK

Congratulations to Addison Newlan who is our Sailor of the Week! Addison started sailing at 6 years old in a learn to sail class and hasn’t stopped sailing since. She has experience sailing a scow moth and lasers, currently sailing an O’pen skiff, a Paper Tiger Catamaran and regular crewing on an NS14. Most recently she skippered a 29er for the first time in the Belmont Combined Secondary high school regatta.

In addition, she crews on board Maritimo 11 racing yacht competing in the Hamilton Island race week, King of the Derwent, Geelong race week and recently was the youngest competitor in the Brisbane to Gladstone Easter offshore race. In July 2022 Addison had the amazing opportunity to compete in the O’pen skiff world championships and in January 2023 placed 2nd in the O’pen skiff nationals in Perth. Addison is currently training to reach her goal of racing in the 2032 Olympics in the 49erFx class and to join a SailGP racing team. Sailing is her absolute passion, not just racing but learning all aspects, including splicing, boat repairs and instructing.

“photo courtesy of Red Hotz shots”

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Over the coming months, we will be slowly introducing our band of fabulous sailing and windsurfing instructors. We begin this week with Angus Wheatley.