WASS sailors impress at Victorian Youth State Titles

Over Easter, a large cohort from the WASS squad travelled to Williamstown, Melbourne to compete at the Victorian Youth State Titles. This event doubled as the Australian Sailing Youth Team selection event for the Youth World Championships in The Hauge, The

Netherlands in July. With our Youth National Championships being cancelled over the summer due to COVID-19 and border restrictions, this event became our peak domestic event for the year and signifies the end of an extended season for WASS.

In total, 25 sailors from WA competed in the event across the 29er, ILCA 6 (Laser Radial), ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7), IQ Youth Windfoil and Nacra 15s. These sailors were supported by WA coaches Hayley Clark (29er), Denis Jones (29ers), Ben Walkemeyer (ILCAs), Mikael Lundh (Nacra 15) and myself (IQ Youth Windfoil). It was fantastic to see the sailors and coaches working together as part of a united team WA.

Most of the team arrived early in the week and were greeted with some beautiful Port Phillip Bay wind and waves allowing for some fun and productive training. The event itself was spread across four days with conditions taking a turn creating a challenge for all competitors.

Day one was very light (0 – 4 knots) with some random shifts on the 29er course leading to much of the fleet timing out. The Lasers got one race in light but steady wind and the Windfoilers stayed onshore unable to foil. WA sailors showed some skills in the lighter airs with strong placing at the top mark and at the finish. A condition we would not get racing in again throughout the week.

The second day brought a strong Northerly wind to the bay, 23 – 30 knots but relatively flat water. Five races were completed for the Windfoilers where WAIS sailor and WASS graduate Harry Joyner from FSC put on a masterclass winning every race by some margin in properly gnarly conditions for foiling. Aiden Duthie and Ben Robinson did well to finish all the races and grit it out over the day, improving against the fleet as the day went on. The 29ers had four races and the Lases three. Zac Sprunt and Vassilis Katsaitis from RFBYC in the 29ers had a strong day with three top fives. Harry Wright and Mitch McLeod from FSC and Sam Williams and Jamie Randall from SoPYC also a had solid day including a top three and top six result.

Day three was a cloud effected day that meant very little wind and a lot of waiting. The Nacra fleet managed one race, but all other fleets go no racing.

A strong southerly change on day four brought 20-25 knots and big waves to the race area making for very challenging conditions. Everyone was determined to finish with their best efforts when it counted, and it brought about some great performances. Notably the Cameron brothers in the 29er weighing in around 100kg combined beating many competitors who were older, more experienced and 20 – 40 kg heavier. Their best result a 14th in a fleet of 36.

IQ Youth Windfoil

At the end of a massive day, it concluded our first domestic regatta in over two years. Harry Joyner won the IQ Youth Windfoil, winning all eight races in the process. We aren’t sure the last time a sailor has done that at a Youth Selection trials in Australia. WASS sailors Aiden and Ben finished sixth and eighth respectively in a competitive fleet of 15 boards. Kai and Jaiya Marns Morris from RPYC finished up fifth and 11th.

29er

Zac and Vassilis finished up in third place in the open 29er division. These two have been extremely dedicated over the past two years training out of RFBYC, FSC and with the WASS squad, some reward for their hard work. They will be heading to the 29er World Titles in Barcelona in July. Annabelle Jones and Jenna Everett finished up as second all female crew and 19th overall, earning a spot at the National Youth Camp that followed.

Ona and Pol Rafart from RFBYC paced 13th, with the top females in 12th and the second female sailor overall. These two will also be heading off to the Worlds in July. Harry and Mitch finished strongly in sixth, Sam and Jamie in 11th and the Cameron brothers 25th, all out of 36 boats.

ILCA

In a regatta dominated by strong wind, it was no surprise to see the bigger sailors near the front of the ILCA 6 fleet. Stewie Gifford toiled hard but could not keep up with the stronger bigger three boys in the lead pack. He did though put a consistent regatta together finishing fifth overall and fourth male youth. Another season of hiking and training required for him to bridge the gap.

It has been exciting to see Lili McAullay make some significant gains in the past few months leading up to Easter through some hard work on water. She finished up 13th overall and third youth female, also earning her a pace at the National Youth Camp.

For Amy Moore from RFBYC in the ILCA 4, it was her first domestic regatta. She was our only ILCA 4 to make the trip, however she sailed fantastically and we can’t wait to see what she can do with some more experience come Jan. Dominic Beer from RFBYC &FSC, Liam Cox from FSC and Issac Bisco from RPYC all had strong moments in the regatta and were valuable members of the WA team. More work required for our young Laser sailors to break into the front pack come Jan. They have some great mentors in the fleet to look up to once they come home and I’m looking forward to seeing them putting in the work and making gains this winter.

Full Results can be found here,