Zhik '9er National Championships - final day at McCrae Yacht Club

by John Curnow on 2 Jan 2013 Zhik '9er National Championships being staged by the McCrae Yacht Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Alex McKinnon was there to capture the last day's action, which may not have been as scintillating as earlier days, but none the less, winners have certainly emerged.

Will Phillips and Iain Jensen are the new 49er National Champions, after a pretty emphatic win. Phillips and Jensen were 21 points clear of second placed Jasper 'Fang' Warren and Luke Parkinson and also collected seven race wins from their 16 starts. In third were Sail Melbourne Bronze Medallists, Steve Thomas and Rhys Mara, who were nine points further astern.

In the FX Women's fleet, Beijing 2008 Gold Medallist (470) Tessa Parkinson with crew Kate Lathouras had a nine point win from Haylee Outteridge and Alison Dale, despite the former not finishing Race Six and the latter not starting Race Five. London 2012 hero, Olivia Price with Alanna Clancy on board took third, three points behind them.

Jumping the start and Black Flag problems are evident in the 29er results, but it did not stop New Zealand's Markus Somerville and Jack Simpson holding an 18 point win over Australia's Harry Price and Angus Williams. Charlie Wyatt and Lewis Brake from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in delightful Manly probably rue being black flagged in Race Fifteen, but can share that sort of issue with the winners, who were OCS in Race Two.

Special mentions go to the ever-cheerful James McLennan, sailing with Tommy Hafey's grandson Thomas Trotman, who were seventh, along with the inspirational and determined Tess Lloyd, sailing with crew Eliza Solly, who finished tenth.

Well done to the newly crowned Champions, the remaining crews and all the volunteers. Go to www.mccraeyc.com.au for more information.