65 Sabres come to Perth for the inaugural Nationals

by Andrew Graham on 14 Jan 2014 The Sabre class held its national championships in WA for the first time and saw a good fleet of 65 boats assemble at Perth Dinghy Sailing Club over the Xmas New Year period. Racing was held in Matilda Bay on the Swan River; and competitors came from all six states.

The Perth fleet has grown rapidly to over 50 boats in the space of just six years, and brings the Sabre up to a genuine national class with state associations and fleets in all states.

Afternoon racing each day saw the fleet enjoying reliable and consistent 20kt breezes in almost all races courtesy of the 'Fremantle Doctor'. It made for exciting sailing that delighted the fleet - Sabres retain triangular courses to provide the reaching conditions in which the boat excels.

In a feat that will go into the record books, local PDSC sailor Scott Olsen won every one of the nine heats as well as both invitation races. Superb boat control, knowledge of the area, and an ability to work up through the fleet even after conservative starts were all contributors to his emphatic win. Scott though received great completion from the next three competitors who were separated by just one point between them - Mark Soulsby from Adelaide and Gary McClennan and Nick Mouat from Black Rock in Victoria.

The Sabres move to Adelaide sailing club next year for their nationals in what should be a big year for the class. Two new fiberglass builders are entering the class bringing numbers to five - and the 2000th Sabre is expected to hit the water in 2014.