The Australian Nationals planned for Woollahra Sailing Club have been cancelled, due to the uncertainty surrounding the event caused by COVID-19. Potential last minute lockdown and travel restrictions make it too hard for participants and organisers to plan. However, some B14ers are looking at some informal sailing during the week of January 3-7 with whomever can make it to Sydney.

At this stage we would be looking at returning to Sydney in January 2022 for the Nationals. The Worlds in Lake Garda are still scheduled for 4th – 14th July 2022 at Circolo Torbole.

The final leg of the B14 NSW State Titles was held at Woollahra Sailing Club on 15th March, just before COVID-19 started shutting down pubs and clubs in Australia.

Heading for shelter!!

Electrifying performances at the Australian Nationals at Illawarra Yacht Club

When you only have to drop seconds, you know you’ve had a great regatta.

Craig Garmston and Paul Flemming in Snatch won 6 out of 10 races at the B14 Australian Titles at Illawarra Yacht Club in January.

But that wasn’t the only electrifying performance of the regatta.

A massive thunder storm, much needed given the devastating bushfires this summer, sent the fleet scurrying for shore on Day 4. Everyone got home safely, despite some really weird wind on the way back, including huge gusts then nothing. Great pics from Jasmine Young capture the moment!

Garmo and Paul Flemming sailed incredibly consistently to win, but they were kept honest by Brent Frankcombe and Leigh Dunstan in Where’s My Box. The guys racked up three wins, one cracked head (Leigh’s) and a broken mast and did enough to stay ahead of multiple world and Nats title holders Guy Bancroft and David Grace in Bonewerk. Full results are attached.

Winning style on Snatch

Handicap winners were Ewan and Tori Campbell sailing in Bluey, who improved throughout the series and did better when it blew.

Other notable performances were from Glenn Cardwell and 16-year-old Audrey Schue from the host club Illawarra Yacht Club and returnees to the class Sophie Hunt and Andy Payne, who have still “got it” after a spot of Parental Leave. Audrey was one of 12 sailors aged under 25 boosting the fleet. It was great to have such an injection of young talent into the class.

And of course the 7 women in the fleet rounded out the regatta with the traditional champagne in the showers. For some the first step in preparing for the regatta was to buy a bottle of bubbly.

Smoky conditions due to bushfires
Attachments:
Download this file (Screenshot_2020-01-17 Sailwave results for B14 Australian Championships 2019 20 at IYC 2020.png)B14 Australian Championships 2019-20 at IYC[Final results]72 kB
Attachments:
Download this file (Day 1 Sailwave results for B14 Australian Championships 2019 20 at IYC 2020.png)Day 1 Results[Day 1 Race Results ]52 kB
Download this file (Day 4 Sailwave results for B14 Australian Championships 2019 20 at IYC 2020.png)Day 4 Results [Day 4 Results]67 kB
Download this file (Day 5 Sailwave results for B14 Australian Championships 2019 20 at IYC 2020.png)Day 5 Results[Day 5 Results]72 kB
Download this file (Results Day 3.png)Day 3 Results [Day 3 Race Results ]67 kB
Download this file (Screenshot_2020-01-14 Sailwave results for B14 Australian Championships 2019 20 at IYC 2020(1).png)Day 2 Results[Day 2 Results]64 kB