Keen sailing - NSW Access Class Championships

by Event media on 3 Oct 2006 There was spirited competition at the 2006 New South Wales Access Class Championships hosted by Kogarah Bay Sailing Club and Sailability Kogarah Bay over the weekend. After Saturday sailing was cancelled due to strong winds and heavy chop, Sunday’s program started early in perfect breezy conditions.

Twenty one sailors with disabilities from around NSW enjoyed close racing in the Access 2.3, 303 and (for the first time) Access Liberty classes, utilising host branch Sailability Kogarah Bay’s just launched pontoon. The awards were presented by Grahme Rayner, the new President of Sailability NSW:

· 2.3 Champion was Wendy Evans of Sailability Belmont.
· Top Gun Award for Champion in 303 Singles to Jim Brown of Sailability Kogarah Bay
· Top Gun (1st in Liberty class) went to Lindsay Dalmon of Sailability Pittwater
· Winner of 303 Doubles were skipper Jim Brown and Tish Ennis of Sailability Kogarah
· First in the Servo Assist Division was presented to Lindsay Dalmon of Pittwater
· The Kevin Buxton Award (Divisions 3 and 4) went to Eddie Rice of Sailability Illawarra
· The Best Female Sailor Overall Award was made to Wendy Evans of Belmont
· Justin Kroh Award for commitment to sailing excellence to Len Snowdon of Illawarra
· The Encouragement Award went to Peter Worsley of Sailability Orange

The Jackie Kay Award 2006 for volunteering above and beyond the call of duty went to Graeme Adam, PR for Sailability NSW.

Jackie commented: 'Graeme’s dedicated contribution is making a real difference - his involvement has made Sailability a stronger, more unified organization. I am delighted that his commitment has been acknowledged with this Award.'

Grahme Rayner, President Sailability NSW, complimented Kogarah Sailing Club and their team of volunteers on taking on and managing a major event in such a professional way.

Full details will be posted on http://www.accessclass.org/ and www.sailability.org

The Australian Access Class Association was formed in 2005 and is affiliated with Yachting Australia. Most of the craft operated under Sailability programs are Access dinghies, manufactured in Melbourne. Sailability is a nationwide movement dedicated to encouraging Australians across a wide range of abilities and disabilities to get the most out of life by going sailing, both recreationally and competitively. Sailability NSW is one of eight state or territory associations.