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

SAILING Champions League paused due to gale warning

by Lisa Ratcliff / SCL 21 Mar 2021 04:52 NZDT 20-21 March 2021
The first day of the SCL Asia Pacific Northern Qualifier was delayed due to gale force wind warnings © Harry Fisher

A gale warning along the New South Wales coast kept disappointed crews ashore on day one of the SAILING Champions League (SCL) Asia Pacific Northern Qualifier out of Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club.

A high pressure system over the southern Tasman Sea is combining with an intense coastal trough and causing very active rainfall about eastern New South Wales, resulting in major flooding and evacuations on the Mid North Coast.

SCL Principal Race Officer Ian Humphries explained the decision to abandon racing: "We went into a two hour AP (postponement) from 10am to 12pm. The Bureau of Meteorology updated at 10.39 and kept the gale warning in place for Hunter waters. This is a mixed event with open and youth crews and we've decided it's safer not to go out.

"We'll start earlier tomorrow, when the forecast is more favourable, and we'll get through as many races as we can in the time we have available. We can split the rounds so all teams sail against each other."

Morale was high among the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron team, despite their long stop/start overnight drive from Brisbane and broken sleep.

"The weather wasn't great on the drive," skipper Tom Needham and Australian Sailing Squad member shared. "It's meant to be a nine hour drive and it took us close to 17 in the end. There were a couple of road closures near Coffs Harbour, due to flooding, where we parked on the side of the road in a giant traffic jam and had a little sleep. We rolled into Newcastle around 6am this morning."

Australia's Laser Radial representative for Tokyo 2020 (2021), Mara Stransky, said at NCYC during the Saturday morning postponement "the team is bouncing off the walls". "We are feeling pretty good. We missed the training day, but I think we made up for it sailing down here in the Nissan Cube."

RQYS is racing in the Open division and they've brought their A team to Newcastle. "We've got VX One Australian champion Josh Franklin, Mara is going to the Tokyo Games, Sammi Costin does foiling windsurfing and I sail a 49er. We are looking forward to some great competition."

"The champions league seems like a pretty cool concept; I'm keen to get into it," Stransky added.

The first warning signal is scheduled for 0900hours on Sunday, March 21 with Honeysuckle Hotel overlooking Newcastle Harbour the viewing platform and changeover point for high-adrenaline umpired teams racing on RS21 keelboats.

Top teams from the southern and northern qualifier will be invited to the SCL Final in mid-April.

Currently, there is a strong wind warning for Sunday with winds forecast to be easterly 20-30 knots, possibly reaching 35 knots offshore. SCL racing is within Newcastle Harbour.

For more information about the SAILING Champions League - Asia Pacific head to www.sailing-championsleague.asia

Related Articles

SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific Final
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron has reinforced its reputation with third title The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron has reinforced its reputation of its sailors after taking out its third SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific - Final last weekend at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club as a part of the Sailfest Regatta. Posted on 31 Mar
The SAILING Champions League finals
Ten nations were represented amongst the sailing teams The SAILING Champions League finals reached an exciting climax in Travemünde, offering four days of intense racing. The prestigious event saw the best thirty-six sailing teams from around the world compete for the coveted title. Posted on 5 Aug 2023
RPAYC set to host 2023 SCL - Asia Pacific Final
The SAILING Champions League Asia Pacific Final is set to be held on May 20th and 21st This year's SAILING Champions League - Asia Pacific Final is set to be held at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club on May 20th and 21st. Posted on 6 Mar 2023
New look Sailing Champions League: Asia Pacific
2021 circuit will include two qualifying regattas - Southern and Northern Sailing Champions League: Asia Pacific organisers are delighted to announce the 2021 season format and a raft of changes to simplify the competition and bring gender equity to the league. Posted on 8 Oct 2020
Sailing Champions League in Germany and Finland
For the first time this summer For the first time the SAILING Champions League will be held in Germany and Finland. The draw that took place on Thursday evening determined in which of the three rounds the clubs will sail for a ticket to the final. Posted on 8 Feb 2020
Perfect Start into SAILING Champions League
Top eight clubs at Palma have secured a place in the Final Norddeutscher Regatta Verein from Germany took advantage of sensational sailing conditions in Palma de Mallorca to win the first of three qualifiers in season six of the SAILING Champions League. Posted on 13 May 2019
National Sailing League hits Australian shores
Now it's the southern hemisphere's turn In the northern hemisphere the Sailing Champions League is a winning concept, taking off from the start-up league in Germany in 2013 to involve 21 nations and more than 300 clubs in 2019. Now it's the southern hemisphere's turn. Posted on 21 Feb 2019
95 clubs fight for qualification
For the SAILING Champions League Final in St. Moritz For the first time ever, five clubs from the National Sailing Leagues participate in the SAILING Champions League qualification. The reason: this year, the clubs for the final in St. Moritz, in August are determined in three qualifiers, not two. Posted on 16 Jan 2019
Registration for the National Sailing League
Now it is Australia, New Zealand and Oceania's turn Now it is Australia, New Zealand and Oceania's turn having joined the Sailing Champions League family, to bring this successful and much needed club v. club fleet racing competition to this part of the world. Posted on 14 Jan 2019
Superstars compete in SAILING Champions League
24 clubs fight in Porto Cervo from this Thursday Teams are coming from all corners of Europe including Slovenia for the first time, but with a strong contingent from the Nordic and central European countries. Posted on 28 May 2018
Sea Sure 2025Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignPaleblue Batteries Done Better 728x90px BOTTOM