Australian Midwinter Youth Championship 2014- Racer profiles – 420s

by Miles Ruge on 10 Jul 2014 Australian Midwinter Youth Championship 2014 - Throughout the week of racing at the Australian Midwinter Youth Championship 2014 at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (Manly), we’ll be profiling the leading competitors of a select series each day.

Internationally recognised, the 420 is a stepping-stone for club and youth sailing to the larger more performance orientated 470. Designed to plane easily, the boat boasts a large sail-area to its weight-ratio. While racing was today postponed for the doublehanders and lightweight boats on the farthest racing course, it was Dana Tavener that held the series lead from day two.

'Just getting a good start, and getting ahead of the fleet at the very beginning instead of having to fight our way through the fleet,' Tavener said of her tactic on day two.

Tavener has a long history of sailing at the Australian Midwinter Youth Championships having begun in the Sabot class and progressed through to the 420s competing in that class for the past three years.

'This is probably the third biggest regatta we compete in, but this year it’s more of a training regatta leading up to the World Championships,' she said.

July will be the first appearance for the young sailor competing on the world stage, when she travels to Germany for the World Championships. She is confident of her preparation leading into that event.

'We’ve been doing a lot of training and practice regattas, and we’re pretty happy with how we’re going,' she said.
While racing was today postponed, when it resumes tomorrow she is focused on getting the best possible start into the wind.
'Having a game plan and going to the right side of the course,' Tavener said.

Tomorrow’s profile will feature the winner of the 29er Event website