Georges River 16’ Skiff Sailing Club on Sydney’s Botany Bay will host one of the largest youth sailing regattas in the country, the Yachting NSW Youth Championships, over the October long weekend, 3-5, 2015.
The club’s proximity to Sydney’s main hub plus the vast area of land and ideal beach for launching onto the flat water off Dolls Point sees the annual event, a highlight of the participating class sailing calendars, return to the same venue at the mouth of the Georges River.
Over 200 competitors have entered so far from NSW, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. New this year is the addition of two invited classes, the Sabot one-up and Open BIC. Entries are still being accepted and Yachting NSW has waived the late entry fee.
Racing will be staged on four courses in the following classes: 29er; Optimist (Open); Optimist (Intermediate fleet); Optimist (Green fleet); 420; Flying 11; Hobie 16; Techno 293; Laser 4.7; Sabot One-Up; Laser Radial and Open BIC.
“Yachting NSW supports kids learning and enjoying the sport in a safe environment, whether they start in a grand prix class or end up in one through a pathway or invited class,” said event manager Andrew Hawkins.
So successful was the introduction of the Optimist Green fleet in 2014 that the three-tier system of Optimist, Optimist intermediate and Green fleet for beginners is on offer again.
“The NSW Youth Championship is a great regatta that teaches young sailors water safety and sailing skills, and gives them valuable racing experience. It’s also about family time and siblings competing with and against each other, plane trips from far away ports and road trips from other states, and meeting up with friends made at previous regattas,” Hawkins added.
Racing commences from 1130hrs on Saturday October 3 and 1000hrs on the Sunday and Monday. From a maximum 10 races, each competitor’s two poorest results will be excluded to produce a final series score. Best vantage points for the shore crew and general public include Dolls Point and Ramsgate beach.
Competitors, supporters and family can follow the action on social media and on the Youth Championships website. Pop to http://www.ynswyouthchamps.org.au/ for details on the host club and helpful information for those travelling to the championships from outside Sydney.
The state youth championship is run annually under the auspices of Yachting NSW, a not for profit organisation responsible for the administration, promotion and advancement of the sport of sailing at all levels throughout the state. Supporting sponsors include; the NSW Government, Nautilus Marine Boat Insurance, Gill Marine Technical Clothing, Steve Jarvin Motors, Tohatsu Outboards, Lejen Marine and Sydney Harbour Boat Storage.
– Lisa Ratcliff
