VIC Junior and Youth Championships – O’pen BIC’s invited to compete

Ryan_Spring_The moment sailors completed the race and capsized to applaud the final competitors. Ryan Spring

Ryan_Spring_Clean start. © Ryan Spring

The O’pen BIC was invited to join the championships as a guest class for the first time in history, in light of the 2015 O’pen BIC Worlds being held this December at Safety Beach Sailing Club. 32 avid O’pen BIC sailors turned up to join several other youth classes including; 420, 29er, Int Cadet, Minnow, Viper, Opti, Laser Radial, and Laser 4.7.

Day one got off to a slow start with competitors floating around, admiring the deathly flat water for at least an hour before a nice trickle of wind filled the bay. O’pen BIC’s had the pleasure of joining the Laser radial / 4.7 course and were first to start. Three races were completed in the first day and some newcomers from the Opti Class were mixing things up in the front of the fleet, and fluffing a few feathers.

With the championships wide open in the BIC fleet everything was to play for on the second and final day. The wind fluctuated an awful lot and saw a range of 7-18kts, and with it came a nasty chop. As impressive as the majority of the fleet was it was yet again young Kristen Wadley who ran away with the title, sailing a faultless second day. For full results of all class click here.

Ryan_Spring_Group shot of the competitors © Ryan Spring

As always with O’pen BIC’s, the eye-catching moment isn’t at the front of the fleet. In actual fact, at this regatta, there was an occasion of sheer magic. During the final race, as every competitor crossed the line, they sailed to the side of the course, capsized and applauded every other competitor across the line. Once every O’pen BIC had finished the championships they all sailed in together. This was a decision the juniors made off their own back and one that stands far higher than any results on the race course.

The whole regatta was a huge success and a special thank you must go to Yachting Victoria, Mornington Yacht Club and the Race committee for hosting such a high-class event.