Hot fleet of champions battling it out on the water at MG14 Nationals

by Rohan Nosworthy on 9 Jan 2013 The 22nd MG14 National Titles, proudly sponsored by Zhik, are currently underway on the gorgeous waters of Port Stephens. Sailing from the Port Stephens Sailing and Aquatic Club at Soldiers Point, the fleet has so far completed four of the nine scheduled races in fantastic sailing conditions.

Day one brought a healthy 15-18 knot seabreeze and some short steep chop, in which the fleet simply revelled. Chartered boat 'Einhorn', sailed by National Spiral champ Chris Eddes and newly crowned Cherub National Champion Nigel Blatchford dominated the day, using their skills and righting moment to post two straight bullets for the day.

On day two, even the statewide heat wave failed to spoil the fun.

Race 3 got underway in a hot dying westerly, and had to be shortened after the first lap as a cool and pleasant ENE seabreeze began filling (most of the way!) across the course. 2012/13 NS14 National Champ Bryce Edwards, and Drew Van Ryn sailing last season's all-conquering boat 'Aqua Pest', narrowly held out Einhorn and reigning MG National Champs Rohan Nosworthy and Sophie Holt for the win.

The fourth race was held in a light-moderate ENE'r, which was struggling to hold in against the inland heat wave. Big holes and shifts formed across the course, and it was again Eddes and Blatchford able to master the difficult conditions to hold out a fast finishing Aqua Pest, young guns Josh Tasker and Ryan Narborough in third, and fast-finishing Taree maestros Richard and Jeremy Dodds in fourth.

The National Titles are being proudly support by Zhik, Salamander Shores, McGuigan Wines, Barracouta Sails and Mid-Coast Sails.

There are also daily prizes for on/off-water antics provided by Harken Australia with the prizes being awarded on the 'merit' of the story!

The MG is currently undergoing exciting growth, with plenty of new boats being built and launched this season, and keen interest being shown from other class champions keen to give the 14ft development skiff a go. The family-strong, friendly and fun racing and off-water camaraderie, coupled with the technical and personalised nature of the boats, is appealing and unique. The MG is an easy boat to sail, but it is exceptionally hard to win!