Adam Beatie and Jamie Leitner emerge Nacra Infusion World Champs

by Bronwen Ince on 8 Feb 2013 Australian entrant Adam Beatie with Jamie Leitner have emerged winners of the 2013 F18 Nacra Infusion World Championships with a score of 20.8. They managed to take the lead from local Brisbane sailor Mick Guinea, whom came from sixth to place second and lose the regatta by only 0.2.

Competitors joined together on the Gold Coast for the World Championships from all around World including Australia, Oman, Thailand, The Netherlands, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, and Germany.

On Sunday 3rd February, the Gold Coast saw the beginning of the 2013 F18 Nacra Infusion World Championships, hosted from Southport Yacht Club's Hollywell Sailing Squadron. With heavy winds and testing conditions only one race was held on the Sunday from the scheduled two and unfortunately due to strong winds Monday was abandoned. However even with strong winds, Tuesday's racing was underway, due to two broken masts only one race was conducted. Wednesday and Thursday races were well underway with four races each day.

'Sailing on Thursday was fantastic, although with the challenges of light wind, up and down pressure conditions, Thursday's racing was more like Champagne Sailing, with the perfect Queensland sailing weather, this last race really decided who was to be the World Champion for 2013', said Principle Race Officer, Ross Wilson.

Ross Wilson also said 'he was surprised by the tremendous sailing conducted by Musab Al-Hadi and crew member Ahmed Al-Balushi from Oman. They were one of the more very competitive entrants in the lighter breezes, sailing better in the light wind than most. Finishing fourth was an absolute credit to them as they have not sailed under these sea conditions with strong swells and big waves off the Queensland Coast'.

Another surprise was Miranda Powrie from New Zealand finishing 10th in her first Nacra Infusion World Championships. After years of sailing in a Lazer Radial, Miranda is now focusing on her Olympic Campaign to sail in a Nacra 17.

Ross Wilson would like to thank Southport Yacht Club's Sailing Administrator, Kelvin Holdt and race management team for their fantastic efforts throughout the regatta. Everyone from the Race Management, Race Officers and Entrants had a great World Championships and look forward to be back at Southport Yacht Club for another regatta.

For full results visit South Port Yacht Club