The Coasts at Gosford Sailing Club saw 64 ILCAs enjoying beautiful sunshine and some challenging breezes. On Saturday there was a westerly at 12 gusting to 18 knots varying from SW to NW so plenty to keep the sailors and RO Andrew McLachlan on their toes. On Sunday the scheduled 1100 start was delayed to 1300 waiting for the easterly sea breeze to push through. In the end it did come in at 9 knots gusting occasionally to 12 knots varying towards the top of the course by 45 degrees giving the sailors plenty to think about. All six scheduled races were completed with the third race on the last day started with 15 minutes to spare to the 1530 cut-off time.
The top sailors seemed as always to emerge in front despite the variable wind further proof if needed that skill trumps luck.
In the 31 boat ILCA 6 fleet Sunday’s 21st birthday girl Sylvie Stannage HHSC had three bullets for a comfortable win. Fellow HHSC (and DBSC) sailor Healy Ryan was a close third behind Sara Bruce DBSC. The training regimes at both HHSC and DBSC are certainly paying dividends.
Colin Beashel was the first Master and fourth overall. He is a Grand Master in ILCA parlance but also in sailing having been on Australia II winning the Americas cup in 1983 and competing in six Olympics for Australia between 1984 and 2004. Great to see him back in the class.
In the ILCA 7 Will Sargent who hails from Derwent Sailing Squadron in Tasmania and now sails from CYC and MHASC was the run away winner with six bullets and a second. Will Sargent was a nominee for Australian Sailing’s 2023 Australian Male Sailor of the Year award. Mike Leigh twice Canadian Olympic representative from Royal Victoria Yacht Club in British Colombia was second from Alexander Bijkerk from RPAYC.
It was a photo finish in the ILCA 4s with Ben Costandi DBSC/GRSC and Miles Greenwood GSC/DBSC finishing on 9 points with Ben taking the win on a count back three wins to two. Harriet McLachlan DBSC/RSYS was close behind on third.
Final results for the event are Here.
Sunday photos from Jon West which you can purchase are Here.
Thanks to GSC and the many volunteers who ran this event for us. The facilities of the club, the great grass rigging area and uncrowded waters were much appreciated. (Editor’s note – the buffet spread on saturday after sailing was the best I’ve had at a regatta here!)
Article by Kevin Phillips
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ILCA NSW & ACT https://laser.asn.au/
ILCA Nationals https://www.auslasernationals.com.au/
