Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - TOP

2020 Australian Youth Championships at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club - Day 3

by Australian Sailing 12 Jan 2020 23:25 PST 10-14 January 2020
Australian Youth Championships 2020 © Beau Outteridge

Racing was abandoned due to poor air quality and low visibility from the bush fires along with light shifty wind on day three of the Youth Championships at Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club (SSCBC). After waiting five hours for conditions to improve, a cheer went up from the competitors when it was announced racing was abandoned.

Principal Race Officer David Brookes explained the impact the fires were having on conditions, "There are two factors here: air quality and visibility".

Australian Sailing Regatta Manager Lesley Fasala said safety was their top priority when making decisions. "Air quality was impacted by the easterly winds from the bushfires," Lesley said moments after racing was abandoned. "The EPA air quality was at the upper end of the Poor rating. While we are aware of the sailors we already know have asthma or health issues, we also have to consider some people may have adverse reactions that we don't know about."

Coaches were happy to get there sailors back home to rest after the long day. "We want fair and safe racing," Olympian and Head of State Coaching in Victoria Carrie Smith said. "As unfortunate as it is with the conditions we had today, we just want to go out there and have the best sailor win. If today has to be cancelled it just puts more pressure and intensity into tomorrow's racing."

New Zealand Int 420 team sisters Keira and Leah Sinton were relieved when the decision was made to abandon. "It would have been nice to get some racing in today but we can understand why the race committee made that decision," Leah said as the two of them derigged their dry boat. "In the end it was probably for the best after we were held on shore for such a long time. I think everyone had relaxed."

"The energy was just gone so there was no point in sailing because I was so relaxed after all that time on shore," Keira added.

Leah agreed. "You show up and you're all ready to go and then you get held on shore for hours. You end up chilling out a bit too much."

Brooke Wilson (NSW) in the Laser Radial class was disappointed but looking forward to tomorrow, "I was hoping to get back out there. I guess we just show up again tomorrow and try again."

Find full results here.

For more information visit www.sailingyouth.org.au.

Related Articles

Crew dynamics will be decisive in Course des Caps
Just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season With just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season, all eyes are on Boulogne-Sur-Mer as 11 crews prepare to race around the British Isles in the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer-Banque Populaire du Nord. Posted today at 7:02 pm
2025 Marion to Bermuda Race concludes
Celebrating the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team After days of strategic sailing, shifting winds, and open-ocean challenges, the results are in—and we're proud to celebrate the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team that took part. Posted today at 6:49 pm
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 2
Linnea Aurora turns the tables as it gets tight at the top A bigger and better breeze welcomed the racing fleet on the second day of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2025, resulting in full-tilt sailing around the 23nm five-leg racecourse. Posted today at 6:16 pm
CYCS 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta preview
Bringing together some of the most beautiful yachts on the water The Classic Yacht Owners Association's annual Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) kicks off a summer of stunning northeastern sailing with the 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta this weekend. Posted today at 5:39 pm
Kieler Woche Day 8
Mourniac & Retornaz take the lead in the Nacra 17 class A dream day ahead of the second weekend at the Kieler Woche regatta off Schilksee: Moderate to fresh westerly winds with strong gusts, alternating sun and clouds, provided ideal sailing conditions for all participants on Friday. Posted today at 5:18 pm
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Day 2
Spanish team Yupi top the leaderboard Friday was the second day of racing in Torbole for the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship. Although the "Ora" breeze was lighter than yesterday, it didn't disappoint; it blew steadily enough to deliver three fair, fun and hard-fought races. Posted today at 4:58 pm
SailGP: Roger Federer inspires Swiss SailGP team.
Roger Federer joins forces with Switzerland SailGP Team to inspire success One of Switzerland's greatest sporting icons, Roger Federer, features in the newest episode of Racing on the Edge, SailGP's official behind-the-scenes docuseries, produced in partnership with Rolex. Posted today at 4:26 pm
44Cup Marstrand 2025 day 3
Gale force winds batter the west coast of Sweden With gale force winds battering the west coast of Sweden, racing had to be cancelled on day three of the 44Cup Marstrand. Posted today at 1:33 pm
Francesca Clapcich to co-skipper Team Malizia
In the Course des Caps round Britain & Ireland Race Italian/American offshore sailor Francesca Clapcich will join Malizia-Seaexplorer as co-skipper for the inaugural edition of the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord. Posted today at 12:56 pm
Team Be Water Positive The Ocean Race Europe crew
Scott Shawyer will skipper Team Be Water Positive in the fully crewed offshore challenge this summer Canada Ocean Racing - Team Be Water Positive today announces its 2025 The Ocean Race Europe crew led by Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and featuring five other accomplished names in offshore sailing. Posted today at 11:54 am
Lloyd Stevenson - AC INEOS 1456x180px BOTTOMMaritimo M50Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOM