International 420 Australian Championships preview
by Peter Campbell on 30 Aug 2012
Alec Bailey sailing on the broad reaches of the Derwent - Musto Australian 420 Class Championship 2012 Rob Cruse
Musto Australian Championships for the International 420s are being hosted by Derwent Sailing Squadron this summer. The double-handed dinghy class produced two gold medal winning sailors at the recent London 2012 Olympic Games.
Nathan Outteridge, who skippered the winning Australian 49er at Weymouth, won the 2003 and 2004 Australian championships in the 420s, with his gold medal-winning crew, Iain Jensen, sailing with him in 2004.
Mathew Belcher, gold medal winning crew with Malcolm Page in the 470s, won the 420 national title in 1999.
Another gold medal winner to come out of 420s is Mark Turnbull, who crewed with Tom King in winning the 479 gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The International 420 has traditionally been the stepping stone to the Olympic 470 class, both for young men and young women, and this summer’s national championship on Hobart’s River Derwent could well produce upcoming Olympians.
The DSS will conduct the Musto Australian 420 championships from 28 December through to 4 January, with a lay on 2 January when the spectacular King of the Derwent is sailed on the river.
The open championship series will also include national titles for females and youth titles for both males and females, with a strong youth entry expected as the 420 Australian championships will be followed by the OAMPS Australian Youth championships, which include the 420 class.
The fleet is expected to include a very strong West Australian contingent, including the current national champions Carrie Smith and Ella Clark, plus an emerging fleet from New South Wales.
Leading Tasmanian youth contenders are expected to be Lachie Heagraves and his crew Morgan Davies and Jonathon Cooper and crew Nelson Brown. Alec Bailey, who is currently campaigning a 470 with Doug Sheppard, is seriously considering competing in the 420 nationals.
Several young Hobart sailors are expected to change to the 420 class for the OAMPS Australian Youth championships in January after they have competed in the Australian and World championships for the International Cadet class.
Sandy Bay Sailing Club will be running the Cadet championships from December 22 through to January 4, with the Youth championships scheduled for January 6-10.
Notice of Race for the International 420 Australian Championships regatta is available online on the
event website.
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