Open Bic State Championships - An awesome regatta

by Simon Dubbin on 23 Apr 2013 On a fantastic Autumn weekend, Parkdale Yacht Club on Port Philip Bay, put on a fantastic event. There was plenty of sun and wind greeting the thirty young competitors. Racing on Saturday consisted of two sessions of three races in a 10-18 kt SE breeze.

Showing great form in the morning/afternoon sessions was the current U13 Girls World Champ, Kristen Wadley (Qld) having six bullets closely followed By locals Jack Challands and Ethan O' Brien with Jazz Agius-Jones (Qld) making the top four. With the occasional 20+ kt wind gusts coming through the race course in the afternoon the Bics were flying over the course in balls of spray giving the spectators a great view of the planning abilities of the Open Bic,there were plenty of smiles on shore at the conclusion of the days sailing....

With the sun out and waiting for the expected Northerly wind, a unique event with the Open Bic, the freestyle event took place where the sailors pair up and try to mast climb,boom walk ,etc through a short knock out event.

With the wind arriving the last three races took place in 8-12kts. Kristen was challenged again but showed great form to win from the chasing pack, completing a clean sweep of the series.

Final Results:

Kristen Wadley Tinaroo YC first
Jazz Agius-Jones Tinaroo YC second
Jack Challands Sandringhan/Parkdale YC third
Ethan O'Brien Parkdale YC fourth