2015 SB20 Australian Championship - A Masterclass on the Water

by Jane Austin on 9 Mar 2015 A stand out performance in the SB20 2015 Australian Championships has been the skipper and crew of Masterclass. Skippered by former Australian Sailing Team member James Burman (NSW), the boat boasts a crew of Hugh Tait (NSW) and young Tasmanian and National dinghy champion Sam King.

Burman is a well-credentialed international and national sailor and has enjoyed sailing F24s with Tait in his University days. Burman has more recently taken to coaching and is delighted to be sailing with Tait (who he describes as his secret weapon) and alongside his student and rising star Sam King in the SB20 2015 Australian Championships in Hobart.

It’s the first time on an SB20 for Burman and Tait. 'Hugh has sailed a lot on sports boats but not an SB20 while Sam has sailed them a lot on the River with his Dad,' said Burman.

'Our plan has always been to try to get around the course as cleanly as we can - our boat and crew work isn’t probably as good as some of the other boats out here but we are having a good time,' said Burman.

But the leader board suggests otherwise with Masterclass currently in fourth position at the start of the final day.

Burman credits King with much of this positive result. 'Sam knows this particular bit of water as well as most of the guys here if not better having sailed on it since a very young age – this local knowledge is great for Hugh and I,' said Burman.

'Also I’ve done a lot of coaching here – I’ve looked at the water a lot and sailed on it a little bit, which I guess is helping us,' said Burman.

Burman sailed with the Australian Sailing Team for eight years in the Laser Class, campaigning heavily overseas, and since then has moved to other keel boats, Taser class and other dinghies, but coaching is now his calling.

'One of the first gigs I got was the Sabot Squad in Tasmania. I was lucky enough to work with Sam and a bunch of very talented young kids who probably hadn’t really been coached extensively before. Sam was a stand out amongst that group which culminated in a national sailing win up on my home water at Drummoyne Sailing Club,' said Burman.

King’s national win in the Sabot dinghy class last year was the first win in a decade for a state other than Queensland and New South Wales.

So how does Burman describe his young charge’s approach to sailing?

'It’s great to have talent but that can only take you so far. Sam impresses me with his drive and his work ethic. I can say all I like to him but at the end of the day, it is Sam who has to go out onto the water and make it happen,' said Burman.

Clearly a focused, enthusiastic crew with a sense of humour, Sam has found himself in a different position in this regatta.

'I’m usually the one steering with Dad but in this regatta, James is steering and I am up the front which I am finding is really good. Also, I have been really happy with our team work on the water – we are having a really good time', said King.

'Our focus for today’s racing is on more consistent sailing, race by race, and hopefully we can edge gently up the leader board,' said Burman.