Australian Nationals get underway at Perth, with Team Singapore providing an international flavour
The 2009 Australian National Championships are taking place at the Royal Perth Yacht Club in Western Australia. The practice race took place today (with the usual non-finishers!), so all looks set fair for a week’s sailing from Monday. It seems that we can expect coverage of the latest results etc. on the 420 Class Western Australia website.
An indication of current form in the Australian Class came up at the recent SIRS Sail Sydney International Regatta, see SIRS 420 Results. Byron White & Jay Griffin (CYCA) won the 17 boat regatta, with Karl Bromfield & Marcus Conway (RCAYC) 2nd. Aurora Paterson & Hannah Kluckow led the Women, with Lauren Thredgold & Megan Soulsby (Adelaide SC), the leading Australian team at the Athens Worlds, just one place behind. David Gilmour, the 2008 Youth Champion helm and 2nd at the 2008 Nationals, must be another hopeful, with his new crew James Omay.
But the wild card could be from the Singapore Team. Reigning Asian and SEA Games Champions, Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng, who won the Junior Europeans at Medemblik in 2007, before concentrating on their 2008 ISAF Youth Champs campaign, are certainly ‘ones to watch’. Are they back on their cracking 2007 form? Cecilia Low Rui Qi, who also crewed with her sister at Medemblik in 2007, has also been 29ering at the ISAF Youths with her current helm, Griselda Khng this year, but is back in the right boat for their 2009 campaign. Luke Tan & Russell Kan, who were 2007 IODA Asia hot shots (well, Luke was the hottest – he won!), should be seeking their first international experience in the 420 at Perth.
