Juniors, families, and classics - plenty of stories in the MG14 fleet!

Fri, 11 Jan 2013

Day four of the Zhik MG14 National Titles, and a great ENE breeze of 12-15knots allowed all boats across the fleet to savour the conditions on beautiful Port Stephens. However, the best stories of the regatta are coming from outside the top few boats!

Young brothers, Cameron (14) and Nathan (12) Kaul, only began sailing four months ago, and first launched a spinnaker three weeks ago! Sailing their custom restored 1996 National Champ boat - 316 Stainless - the boys have shown amazing tenacity and skill to brave the conditions this week. They have been seen in amongst the bulk of the fleet in the early stages of each race, and had the wind gods been a bit kinder, might have been able to shown some clean heels to a lot of the boats.

Cameron and Nathan's brother, Braden (12), is sailing with old-salt Warren Sykes, and has done a fantastic job in the front of the boat. He is displaying skills which shadow his stature and short sailing career, and he will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Female crews are also showing that gender is no barrier to success in the class, with awesome performances on the water by last season's champion Sophie Holt, Lara Mansfield crewing for her father Brian, and Sarah Amos guiding husband Peter around the course. Rebekah Dodds is keeping Fergo in line, Emma Gearing is telling Aaron Gore which way to go, and Jan Wooley is ensuring her husband Howard is behaving and always trying his hardest.


Father and son combos are also common, and while it is a point of 'negotiation' for who is in-charge, they seem to be a good combo. Richard and Jeremy Dodds, Mark and Paddy Holt, Gavan and Bailey Pereira, and Gary Reeves and Kerry Beatty all seem to be able to make the formula work.

And the newest boat number in the fleet, is actually the oldest boat here. 413 - Stayin Alive - first launched back in the 1970's as an NS14, has just been converted to an MG, and is being piloted admirably around the course by Port Hunter stalwarts Ben and William Rigby. Great to see an old boat getting a new lease of life.

Racing concludes on Friday from 11am, with two races scheduled to wrap up the series. Places are close and up for grabs, and the competition will continue to the fall of the last flag.

Prizes for the regatta are proudly sponsored by Zhik, Harken, Barracouta Sails and Mid Coast Sails.

Overall Scratch: