Australian Laser Championships - Tough racing ahead
by Jane Moffat on 25 Dec 2013
McCrae local Tom Vincent will be looking for a podium finish at the 2014 Laser Nationals Dane Lojek
With the 9er and Pacer Nationals a distant memory McCrae Yacht Club is once again hosting a major National Championships; the 2014 Australian Laser Championships from 27 December to 4 January.
With over 170 sailors registered the championships will see some tough competition across all three fleets. Many sailors have spent the last week at the club honing their skills and familiarising themselves with the local conditions.
There are some ‘names’ within the entry list. Olympian Krystal Weir VIC and Australian Sailing Team member Matthew Wearn WA to name but two along with a smattering of Australian Sailing Squad members.
Weir in the Radial will face some stiff competition from Queenslanders Madison Kennedy and Ashley Stoddart to take the Women’s title. McCrae local Simon Merritt will be out to take the open title and if it’s windy he will certainly be the one to beat.
In the Standard fleet Wearn won’t have an easy ride with Mark Spearman WA and Tom Vincent VIC on his heels. Vincent is a McCrae local, which could provide him with the edge if the conditions are tricky. With Mitchell Kennedy QLD and Jeremy O’Connell VIC also in the fleet Wearn will have to work hard to take the title.
The Laser 4.7 fleet sees the first three place getters at the recent ISAF Sailing World Cup Sail Melbourne Regatta are competing will there be an opportunity to Brody Riley to use his local knowledge and claim the top spot on the podium.
McCrae is renowned as a Laser club, the question on the members lips is ‘how many titles can the club take?’
Registration and measurement kick off on Friday 27 December with the practice at 1400 on Saturday 28 December and race one 1400 on Sunday 29
Event website
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/117847
