Manly Junior National Championships

by Mark Willson on 10 Jan 2008 On Tuesday 8th of January the seventh heat of the Manly Junior National Championships was held in a light 4 to 8 knots South East breeze after a two hour delay due to a lack of stable wind. The race was important to all but critical for the three boats and crews who were fighting out for overall honours.

In the Open Fleet Spiked (11 points), Too Hot to Hoot (12 points) and Another Dark & Stormy (13 points) all had a very good chance of winning the overall regatta. These young sailors needed to keep their cool while waiting to hear if there would be a race and then after a two hour delay focus their attention on achieving a winning performance. To the credit of all the sailors the professional race management team advised that the spirit of competition and fair play displayed through the whole regatta was outstanding. This is a great reflection not only of the sailors but also the parents, clubs and coaches.

Given the closeness of the points it was no surprise to see the top three boats fighting out the last race with only metres and at times centimetres separating all three. After and hour and a half of tight racing they finished race seven 1, 2 and 3 with the winner of the race becoming the winner of the regatta. But in the Manly Junior class many winners are celebrated. This great little training boat has produced many world and national champions who have come through from junior and novice ranks. It is great credit to the MJ Association that they focus the recognition not only on the Open Scratch winners but on many others as well.

The winners of each top prize in the 2008 Manly Junior National Championships are:

Open Fleet Scratch Winner:  Too Hot to Hoot - Robert Wojck & Grace Triglone of Manly 16ft SSC
Open Fleet Handicap Winner: Dog Eat Dog - Ira Dubery & Joshua Curnoe of Manly 16ft SSC
Junior Champion (skipper & crew under 12 years): Wet & Wild - Nicholas & Shaun Connor of Middle Harbour 16' SSC
Best All Girl Boat: Rad Rat - Kasha Wojck & Madeleine Clancy of Manly 16ft SSC
Best Girl Skipper: Hot Briez - Brie Whitton & Brodie Crossman of Royal Prince Alfred YC
Novice Fleet Scratch Winner: Black Cat - Joh & Francis MacDonald of Vaucluse 12ft SC
Novice Fleet Handicap Winner: Bahari - Annie Wilmot & Demi Gilbert of Manly 16ft SSC
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Note: The Novice fleet is for first season skippers

The award ceremony held on the beach at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club was a great closure to a very successful event. All competitors and parents were impressed with the excellent race management and overall smooth organisation. Every detail was well run; from boat measurement and registration, boat storage, fresh fruit provided daily, free sausage sizzle after many races, safety procedures and social functions. This was achieved via the leadership of the Middle Harbour 16' SSC with great cooperation of the MHYC, Manly 16ft SSC and the MJ Association.

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