Competition was especially intense on the junior course, with 37 International Optimists and 21 Sabots vying for the top place. After some close racing Queenslanders led both junior fleets with Joel Turner and Klaus Lorenz leading in the Sabot and Optimist fleets respectively.
In other classes, Western Australian Matthew Wearn led the Laser 4.7 class with two convincing wins. George Jones (Tas) led the Laser Radial fleet by the days end with Queenslander Ben Franklin hot on his heels just a point behind.
After a late night protest hearing that saw half the fleet disqualified in the International 420 class, local sailors Angus Galloway and Andrew Gough were tied for first place, each winning a race each throughout the day. In the 29er class, James Sly (Vic) and Adam Lahey (Qld) were also tied for first both winning a race each.
The regatta this year has attracted entries from all states bar one of Australia and even six entries from New Zealand. The regatta's draw card is Queensland's relatively warm winter, with interstate and New Zealand competitors enjoying the chance for some strong competition in winter.
Volunteer Coordinator Dugald Henderson stated that the first day was a success due to a fantastic effort from his 36 strong volunteer army.
“They give it their all,” said Dugald, “everything from feeding the troops to marshalling on the ramp to pulling masts out of the famous Moreton Bay mud!”
Queensland Youth Week concludes on Tuesday, allowing the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron three days to prepare for their next regatta, the 2009 Australian School Team Racing Championships.
