Ants fly at 18 knots at Illawarra Nationals

by Christine Hunt on 15 Jan 2015 Illawarra Yacht Club introduced a new level of junior sailing at the 2014/15 Flying Ant Nationals with GPS trackers provided on all boats and speeds of 18+ knots recorded by the top teams in the class's first trial of this technology.

Light breezes were ushered in by the warm weather on the New South Wales central coast for the majority of the racing, with the conversion to Asymmetric rig embraced by all participants at Nationals this year.

However a change to 30 knot Westerly's on Day two saw National Champions Lachlan and Mitchell Nardone reach an exhilarating 18.5 knots on their skiff Misguided Missile before racing was abandoned. Short bursts of higher velocities were recorded by the top half of the fleet with the sailors returning to shore with their adrenalin pumping and exclamations of 'That was awesome - can we go back out?'

The regatta saw close competition within the top half of the fleet with multiple position changes throughout the heats and great camaraderie and banter between the sailors.

Nationals in 2015/16 will be held in WA with a view to continued use of the GPS trackers to provide sailors with opportunity for self-assessment before heading back onto the water next day.

With the 50th Anniversary of Ants in WA in 2014, and the National 50th Regatta in 2016, celebrations have generated interest from past sailors in the whereabouts of their old boats. The Association are asking all clubs and individuals to forward any boat and location details to FlyingantsWA@gmail.com for updating of the register.

Congratulations to Lachlan and Mitchell Nardone from Illawarra Yacht Club on Misguided Missile for holding their title for a second year.