The wind finally came in here for the third day of the OAMPS Australian Youth Championships. With a steady 12 – 15 knots competitors were treated to another perfect day of racing here on Botany Bay.
In the 420 class consistent racing by Queensland mens pairing Angus Galloway and Alex Gough allowed the team to take a 1st, 2nd and a 1st in the three races today. However the boys had to fight hard in the last race after being hit by another competitor before the start. This left their boat with a large hole and cracked deck. Nonetheless it seemed like nothing could slow the team down, as they charged for their final win of the day. Galloway commented ” We had a successful day, we took some damage between races and it looks like a long night ahead” he continued to say ” We have a large lead over the Western Australian girls and we are happy with our racing so far”.
In the Laser mens class international compeititor Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini from Great Britain holds onto his lead, however Matthew Wearn and Mitchell Kennedy from Queensland are hot on his tail. Both Wearn and Kennedy have a big day ahead of them tomorrow, as they go head to head for the chance to be selected in the Australian Youth Sailing Team for 2011. In the Radial womens results, Alex South from New South Wales continues to lead Ashley Stoddard from Queensland. With six points seperating the pair, tomorrow will be a hard days racing as they battle against each other. Across in the Laser 4.7′s Japanese competitor Yuichiro Kitamura continues his winning ways with a 1st an 11th and a 2nd today. Leading the women Maddison Kennedy from queensland had a succesful day as she sits nicely in third position. ” I had a good day today, the wind was good and I raced fairly well” she said.
Hobie 16 sailors Paul Darmanin and Alek Vucic continued their dominance over the 5 strong hobie fleet with three bullets today. Darmanin and Vucic have won every race of the regatta and have offical secured their positions for the youth world championships in Croatia later this year. Upset in the 29er class today saw Queenslanders Lewis Brake and Josh Franklin slip down into second by only 1 point. Leading the way now is two time Australian Champion James Sly. The Queensland pair battled Sly all day, however couldnt hold their lead in the moderate breeze. every downwind Sly took the advantage and fought againts Franklin and Brake. However tomorrow is another day and the Queensland boys are convinced they have what it takes to dominate Sly and his crew Thomas Dwyer.
The prediction for tomorrow is stronger breeze from the south and with a mostly fine day, competitors will do battle on Botany Bay for their chance of selection in the Australian Youth Sailing Team.
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Andrew Gough