Canberra sailors dominate International 2.4 metre Nationals in Hobart

by Peter Campbell on 4 Apr 2010 Longtime champions in the International 2.4 metre class from Canberra filled the top three placings in the Australian championship sailed on the River Derwent over the Easter weekend.

Michael Leydon won his fifth national title over the past 12 years by just one point from two-times Paralympic sailor Peter Thompson and another former class champion, Peter Russell. All are members of Canberra’s YMCA Sailing Club.

However, Tasmanians Lisa Blackwood and paraplegic Matthew Bugg sailed exceptionally well to place fourth and fifth overall, despite being relative newcomers to the class, a miniature version of the America’s Cup 12-metres of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Leydon, a 57-year-old Canberra sailor, won the final race today to take the championship by just one point from Peter Thompson, with three points back to Peter Russell.

Lisa Blackwood, who is also a national champion in radio controlled yachting, finished just one point behind Russell, despite having sailed a 2.4 metre class yacht for only the past six months. She ended the regatta with a fifth and fourth place today, having not placed worse than sixth over the eight race regatta.

Matthew Bugg, considered a strong contender to represent Australia at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the 2.4 metre class, finished the regatta with a third and a sixth. Matthew became a paraplegic after a snow-boarding accident at St Moritz, Switzerland, five years ago and has returned to competive sailing over the past couple of years.

'I’m a very proud Dad to see Matt back into the sport he grew up with,' said Ron Bugg, vice-commodore of Derwent Sailing Squadron, who also sailed in the national championship.

Leydon finished on 12 points, Thompson 13, Russell 16, Blackwood 17 and Matthew Bugg 30 points.