Strong fleet entered for the 2016-17 Cherub Nationals

by Rolf Lunsmann on 8 Dec 2016 With early entries now in, the fleet for the 2016-17 Cherub National Championships looks like topping 40 boats. The regatta, sponsored by Thurlow Fisher Lawyers and Ronstan, will be sailed Drummoyne Sailing Club between 27 December and 4 January. For the first time in the 54 year history of the event it will be contested on Sydney’s Upper Harbour.

Favorites for the Open Championship will include Nicole Barnes and Ollie Jones sailing “Enough Rope”, who currently lead the NSW State Championship, Alison Chapman and Andrew Stephenson in “Action”, who have each won previous Nationals with different crew pairings, and 2013-14 Champion Kirk Mitchell who will sail with 18ft Skiff sailor Ash Rooklyn. Brett Lancaster from Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, who currently sits third in the NSW States will sail his boat “Causin’ Haavik” with Jen Pagett on the wire.

Included in the early entries are a record number of 17 female skippers. While Nicole Barnes is the defending Woman’s Champion, she will face strong competition, not only from Alison Chapman but also from Virginia Horn from Western Australia and Claire Lunsmann, Emily Ward and Emma Harrison who are all currently placed in the top 10 in the NSW States.

There are strong family links across the fleet with seven father and son or father and daughter entries and eight sets of siblings sailing against each other. Only two sets of sibling have been brave enough to sail together.

The fresh appeal of the Cherub class is demonstrated by the 12 boats entered for the Cadet Championship for skippers under 18 years of age. One of the early favorites for the Cadet trophy is Adele Phillips from Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club who will be sailing with her father, Sydney 2000 Olympian and 18ft Skiff heavy Dan Phillips, on the wire. There are also eight boats eligible for the Junior Championship for skippers under 21. The overall age range of competitors is from 13 to 61.

The series will be like no other Cherub Nationals regatta in recent times. Sydney's Upper Harbour is a venue that will challenge even the most experienced sailor, a venue that requires total concentration and quick thinking to cope with all the variables. In the heart of Australia's largest city, Drummoyne Sailing Club is minutes by car or public transport from the nightlife of the city, with fantastic views of the harbour available while visitors enjoy the Club's bars, cafes and restaurants.

Entries for the series remain open with online registration available here.