Countdown to 53rd Zhik Combined High Schools Sailing Championships begins
by Rod Carter 14 Apr 2019 03:03 PDT
15-18 April 2019
2018 Zhik Combined High Schools Sailing Championships © Redhotshotz Sports Photography
On the eve of the regatta, boats are arriving, sailors gathering and making plans for serious fun as the countdown to the start of the 53rd Zhik Combined High Schools Championships is about to start.
Belmont 16ft Sailing Club will once again host the Zhik Combined High Schools (CHS) Championships. A key event on the sailing calendar, the CHS regatta attracts some of the most talented youth sailors in the country. Part of the attraction of this regatta is in its variety, both in size of boats, and the classes involved.
So far the event has attracted a fleet of 90 plus with final entries expected to take the total boats entered to well over 100. Race organisers are expecting a last minute flood of entries in the championship. The event attracts a wide range of classes from skiffs, 29ers, cherubs, MG14s, NS14s, Flying 11s, Lasers to fast multihulls. This year's entries has seen a large contingent of 16ft skiffs and a resurgence of Flying Ants.
With last year's overall champion Thomas Steenson (St Pauls) having completed school and 2018 runner up Aimee Gallaway (Asquith Girls High) not attending this year this leave the door open for plenty of new sailors vying for the top spot.
While the event has serious racing there are those also looking for a more relaxed experience. The event has built itself on a well organised, fun and relaxed culture with good sailing conditions, variety of classes racing and meeting other like minded students.
We're certainly pleased to see so many competitors making their plans for the CHS,' said Event Director. 'Every year brings a different mix of classes and boats, but the fantastic location and racing always makes for great regatta. Along with naming right Sponsor Zhik, we're looking forward to another successful regatta.'
The regatta runs from Monday 15th Thursday 18th of April and is open to any sailor who is currently attending an Australian High School. The racing format for the regatta will involve eight races over the four days with all races on trapezoidal courses. This format proved to be a great success in previous years.