2018 Australian Youth Championships Day 2 - Moreton Bay turns it on
by Jane Gordon 13 Jan 03:06 PST
11-15 January 2018
Nacra 15s sending it at 2018 Australian Youth Championships © RQYS Natasha Hoppner
With Youth Olympic qualification on the line, Bic Techno Plus and Nacra 15 competitors are finding their groove at the half way point of the 2018 Australian Youth Championships.
A fascinating battle between Max van der Zalm from New Zealand and Alex Halank from Australian is taking place in the Bic Techno Plus with Alex hot on the heels of his trans-Tasman rival.
"Today was really good, the wind picked up by the last race and I ended up winning a race which was good," Alex said. "The close racing with Max from New Zealand was really good today, we have been within 20 seconds of each other at the finish so nice and close.
And then the wind picked up across all three race courses producing some epic wipe-outs.
"There were no wipe outs for me which may have given me a bit of an edge but a couple of people were not ready for the wind when it did pick up," Alex said.
Kiwi, Veerle ten Have is leading the female feet in the Bic Plus with Queenslander and 2017 Australian Youth Worlds representative, Hailey Lea building momentum to handle the heavier breeze.
"It was really tricky stuff today especially with me being under weight for the 8.5, but it was really fun getting around the top mark and slamming it down wind, hectic stuff," Hailey said.
After a strong day one yesterday, Will Cooley and Evie Haseldine are leading the Nacra 15 fleet with Tom Crockett and Tahnie Caldecoat in second and Tom Dawson and Sarah Hoffman in third.
"Today was pretty hairy, it was getting to the limit, a solid 23 knots gusting to 25 but it was about keeping the boat going fast but not pinching too high," Will said. "Downwind it was both keeping safe and going fast."
Evie said; "We did have one capsize today but it was after the last race so we were pretty stoked about that and not many mistakes during the race."
In the 29er fleet Henry Larkings and Miles Davey dominated the Moreton Bay waters winning three from three with Grace Powers and Kate Richardson the first females.
Matilda and Lily Richardson are currently the first females in the 420s with the Youth World 420 Champions, Otto Henry and Rome Featherstone coming away with two bullets today from two races.
Local Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron sailor, Tom Needham capitalised on the breeze today to be leading the Laser Radial fleet two points clear of Zac West. Paige Caldecoat is the first placed female holding a seven point lead over Maddie O'Shea.
Victorian, Sarah Gleeson is third overall in the Laser 4.7 and the first female. Overall, Michael Compton is eight points clear of his nearest rival.
Indonesia's Hazel Devananda is first overall and leading the Bic Techno 293 Oceania Championships with Aussie William Grimshaw hot on his heels. Queenslander, Lauren Whitford is the first female.
The 2018 Australian Youth Championships will incorporate the Nacra 15 and the Bic Techno 293 Oceania Championships, the Bic Techno + Youth Olympic Games Qualifier for Oceania and the Nacra 15 Youth Olympic Games Qualifier for Asia and Oceania.
Follow all the Youth Championship action online at www.youthchamps.org.au and head to our Facebook Page for the latest interviews, images, videos and racing updates.
Olympic gold and silver medallist and America's Cup skipper, Nathan Outteridge, will attend the Australian Youth Championships on Sunday to inspire the next generation of sailors and talk about the SuperFoiler Grand Prix. Nathan will be speaking from 5:30pm in the auditorium at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron on Sunday 14 January. Click here for more information.