Race Day 1 at Australian Youth Nationals
Fresh off the back of the Australian 420 National Championships, held at Fremantle Sailing Club from 27 December to 3 January 2015, today the Australian Youth National Championships kicked off in perfect style with the "Fremantle Doctor".
All sailors are under 19 years old with racing for the 420 Class, 29er, Hobie 16, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial and Bic Techno 293.
Hot favourites in the 420 class are local sailors and 2014 Australian Sailing Youth Team members Emerson Carlberg/Lachy Gilmour. The pair won the 420 National title last week-end with a net score of just 22 points, a ten point buffer over the second placed crew of Calum Gregor/Hugo Christensson of Hong Kong, and are aiming to defend their 2014 Youth Championships title at Fremantle Sailing club this week.
Two races on Wednesday's opening day, and a similar opening day to the Australian 420 Nationals, with Hong Kong's Gregor/Christensson heading up the leaderboard from a 2,3 scoreline. No surprise to see the race 2 win going to Carlberg/Gilmour which, added to their 8th place finish in race 1, positions them in 4th overall.
Western Australians and 2014 Australian Sailing Youth Team’s Nia Jerwood/Lisa Smith were the female champions at the 420 Nationals, finishing a creditable sixth overall, and should feature strongly at the Youth Nationals. The pair started strong, winning today's opening race and following up with a 7th place to sit in third overall.
Thirty-three 420 teams are competing at the Championship, with sailors from Hong Kong and New Zealand joining the Australian sailors.
CLICK HERE for the latest results.