Laser Open Nationals are hotting up!
by Rick Steuart on 11 Nov 2014
Tristan Brown pre start Sail Freo 2014 - The 2015 Open Australian Laser Championships Rick Steuart
The 2015 Laser Open Nationals in Perth Western Australia - Less than two months out and already there is firm interest in the Laser Nationals to be sailed at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club in sunny Perth. With easy access to some of the best sailing waters in WA, the MOFSC also has one of the finest club facilities on the west coast. The sea breeze promises great action every afternoon with two races on the Indian Ocean scheduled each day, just ten minutes from the club on Comet Bay. Close to two hundred sailors are expected on the water with a large number of volunteers who will keep them sailing.
Some of Perth's best sailors have already signed up with Radial world champion Tristan Brown staking his claim on the national title. Facing him are Conor Nicholas and Richard Maher with no doubt the addition of Alastair Young, James Stewart and others of the same ilk. New Zealander Alastair Gifford has made his bid and it's pleasing to see that Queensland's Ashley Stoddart and Darwin's Hamish Wiltshire have booked in already, with more to come from the East coast over the next few weeks.
In the Standard rigs, the Masters are already showing their hands and I'm sure that there will be many more with such scintillating conditions on offer. But the truth will arrive in the Open section with all of WA's big four putting their hats in the ring; Matthew Wearn, Luke Elliott, Ben Walkemeyer and Mark Spearman. It would be expected that several more premium WA sailors will come on board as well and we can look forward to see who will join them from interstate.
Most pleasing is the strength that is building in the 4.7's underneath the Radial and Standard rigs with a great representation from other states already booking in. With both Caeilin Winchcombe and Zoe Thomson expected to book in and Jonathon Pang already booked, they have the threat of former national O'pen Bic sailor and now 4.7 whizz kid Zac Littlewood joining in and he will put the older sailors on their mettle as the days progress.
Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club event director Mikael Lundh has been working hard to get this event on track and he has been ably supported by both the West Australian Laser Association and the club in getting the event under way.
I'm looking forward to the 2015 Laser Open Nationals at Mandurah from the 27th of December. I hope you'll be there Event website
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