Huge fleet for 43rd Windsurfer Class Australian Championships
by Nick Bez 13 Jan 2020 17:29 AEDT
23-26 January 2020
2020 Australian Championships © Mitch Pearson / Surf Sail Kite
The resurgent Windsurfer Class (www.windsurferclassaus.com) continues to build with a fleet of 114 registered to compete over 4 days (January 23 - 26) at the 2020 Australian Championships.
Hosted by Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, it is the first time a major Class event has been sailed in South Australia in 30 years.
The Class races the Windsurfer LT - a simple yet technical one design where the emphasis is on skill and tactics. The Class received World Sailing international status in late 2018 is a growing rapidly around the globe.
A spectacle of colour and fast paced action, competitors will complete three in racing disciplines - course, slalom and marathon, along with the fun and excitement of freestyle.
The event has attracted entrants from all States with large contingents from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia set to do battle with the rapidly growing fleet of locals.
The battle for the overall trophy will be red hot with a host of former National champions mixing it up with a number of young guns coming through the ranks.
The Australian fleet is very high quality with Aussies putting in a great performance at the 2019 World Championships on Lake Garde in Italy.
Battling it out amongst 168 competitors from 18 nations, several of the team stood atop the podium.
Tim Gourlay from Perth won the Lightweight division, Hamish Swain from Queensland won the Youth, Mel Webb from Sydney is the Female Freestyle World Champion, whilst Nick Bez from Parkdale Yacht Club in Victoria won the heavyweight division and with a highly consistent regatta across all disciplines, was crowned overall World Champion.
All will be racing at the championships.
Tim Lelliott from the Windsurfer Class Association of Australia has been a major force in getting the event to Brighton & Seacliff, his home Club.
"The Windsurfer has added another dimension and option to racing and we are seeing the fleet really grow. A lot of work has gone into the planning of the event to ensure it is a great time on and off the water. Getting such great numbers is a fantastic way to showcase the fabulous sailing waters off Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club and to kick-off the celebrations of the Clubs' 100th year".
The event is being sponsored by Coopers, Surf Logic Australia, Vaikobi, Binks Marine, Windgenuity, StoreHere, Sarah Lelliott Design, Fletcher Boardsports and Mobium Group.
The Class is strongly supporting youth participation and offers a scholarship to the best boy and girl 18 or under to attend the next World Championships.
The scholarship winners won't have too far to travel however as the 2020 Worlds have been awarded to Australia and will be hosted on the Swan River by Mounts Bay Sailing Club from December 28, 2020 until January 3, 2021. Over 250 competitors are expected.