2021 Victorian WASZP Championship at Royal Geelong Yacht Club

The 2021 Victorian WASZP Championship was contested on the waters of Corio Bay in Geelong. A new venue on the WASZP circuit, there was great anticipation with the forecast of good wind and flat water.

Saturday dawned and 22 WASZPs were ready to contest the series, mixed in with the Royal Geelong OTB fleets meant the course was slightly longer than usually raced in WASZPs, but this wasn't to matter as the anticipated westerly front hit the fleet halfway through the race. There were plenty of thrills and spills but it turned out to be an epic race with Lachie Hughes leading around the first lap only to have some tuning issues with his boat once the breeze came up. This handed the lead to crowd favourite Jack Abbott who was relishing the boathandling challenge as the breeze clocked to 25 knots.

2021 Victorian WASZP Championship on Corio Bay - photo © Marc Ablett

The racing was still amazing tight as the boats headed down the final run, Abbott was still in the lead from great rival Tom Trotman. Trotman then bit the dust on the final gybe with a spectacular nose dive, while Abbott looked in control until the final gybe to the finish where unfortunately he swam, allowing a real Stephen Bradbury moment from Ben Gunther who charged over the finish as Abbott was drifting across the finish for 2nd. Trotman managed to hold on for 3rd with pressure coming from Jack Felsenthal and Lachie Vaughan. All of these guys will be battling it out for the Nationals at Sorrento in just under a months time.

A great testament to the WASZP class meant 15 finishers on the Saturday in absolutely nuclear conditions. The rest of the racing was then abandoned and allowed the WASZP fleet and early start in the bar which turned into a late finish.

2021 Victorian WASZP Championship on Corio Bay - photo © Marc Ablett

Sunday the fleet was greeted with kinder conditions, however a massive wind shift before the start meant a delay in proceedings. Once racing did finally get under way the breeze was perfect for foiling in the puffs with 12 knots on the race course, however the lulls were at times down to 5knots causing some snakes and ladders, with racing at about 75% foiling 25% lowriding there was plenty of passing lanes and Jack Felsenthal proved the master of the conditions registering 3 wins for the day. The only blemish on his scorecard on the Sunday was when young local Conall Green sailed an amazing race to take the win from his more fancied opponents. It was a fantastic effort by Conall, sailing his first ever WASZP regatta, taking a win and finishing 5th overall throwing his name in the mix for the nationals at Sorrento.

Other notable performers for the weekend were Ben Gunther, Tom Trotman, Lachie Vaughan and Jack Abbott who all spent time in the lead. Some of the 'rookies' to do well were new sailors to the class Rod Muller, Leigh Hein and Ryan Grieve who all enjoyed some great moments across the weekend.

2021 Victorian WASZP Championship on Corio Bay - photo © Marc Ablett

All attention now turns towards the National Championships to be held at Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club, with Australian borders all now open, there is anticipation of a large fleet in attendance. We can not wait to welcome all the visitors to Victoria and get a great event away!

Overall Results: