Aussie sailor survives lightning strike at A-Cat Worlds

First race in thge 2008 Australian A-Cat Nationals Steve Yarrington

David Brewer, A-Cat Nationals 2008 - Belmont 16 foot Sailing Club (AUS) © Sail-World.com /AUS http://www.sail-world.com

The race had started at 13:00 but with a severe electrical storm sweeping in from the south east, race organisers had hurriedly shortened the first race and the A-Cat fleet headed shorewards.

The crews were busy pegging down their lightweight catamarans in the grass covered boat park next to the Belmont 16 foot Sailing Club, when grey green skies opened. The storm hit, with driving rain and forked lightning and thunder.

At 14:15, Brewer had his hand on the carbon mast of his catamaran when lightning stuck the water directly in front of the boat park. In the driving rain, there was electrical current spread across the area and the 36 year old sailor was thrown to the ground.

He was rushed to the major regional hospital, John Hunter in Newcastle, by ambulance. Event organisers were told he was stable shortly afterwards by the medics.

Brewer is expected to be released from hospital around 11am AEST and is planning to be on the start line for Race 2 in the series at 13:00 today.

Glenn Ashby ahead of storm - A Cat 2008 Nationals, Belmont (AUS) © Sail-World.com /AUS http://www.sail-world.com

Five times World Champion Glenn Ashby won the first race of the Australian Nationals event ahead of Dave McKenzie and Steve Brewin, Andrew Landerberger was fourth.

America’s Cup Match Racer James Spithill was eighth and dual Laser World Champion Tom Slingsby was ninth, all Australian.

Highest placed Europeans were Manuel Calavia from Spain in fifth place, Sergio Vela of Switzerland in 17 and Don Beike of Germany in 21 place. Britain's Nigel Lovell finished in 37 position of the 59 finishers.

The A-Cat World Championships start on Friday 2 January 2009.



A-Cat Australian National Championship