WASZP class at Sail Melbourne
by Marc Ablett 5 Dec 2023 22:02 PST
2-3 December 2023
WASZP class at Sail Melbourne - Glamour Sorrento Conditions on Sunday © Marc Ablett
Overbeck clinches victory, setting stage for thrilling Australian Nationals
The Sail Melbourne warm-up regatta concluded over the weekend with nail-biting competition and exceptional sailing conditions, setting the stage for an electrifying Australian Nationals event as we continue the build up to the International WASZP Games.
Danish Sailor Magnus Overbeck emerged triumphant by a mere 1-point margin, outpacing European challenger Ettore Botticini from Italy in near-perfect conditions at the Sorrento Sailing & Couta Boat Club. Overbeck, a runner-up in the European Games to world rankings leader Markus Berthet, expressed confidence in his performance, stating, "I feel comfortable and the boat is working fast. This place is absolutely stunning with good winds so far."
Australian contender Louis Tilly secured third place, showcasing his tremendous progress over the past year and solidifying his position as a key contender for the overall event.
Meanwhile, in the women's division, Hattie Rogers from GBR seized victory and secured the fifth position overall in her newly acquired WASZP, delivered just days before the event. Rogers commented, "I am super excited to be here racing; the new boat is performing well, and hopefully, the good conditions continue."
Full Sail Melbourne results can be found here.
Following this enthralling warm-up, attention now shifts to the highly anticipated Australian Nationals, set to take place from December 7th to 9th. With 76 boats ready to hit the course, the competition is expected to be fierce. Notable contenders include eight of the top ten global rankings leaders, with reigning WASZP Games champion Sam Street from NZ and runner-up at the 2019 WASZP Games Tom Trotman from Australia adding star power to the lineup.
The Global Rankings depict an intense battle for supremacy, with Markus Berthet currently holding a narrow 10-point lead, amidst the imminent campaign launch by Hippolyte Gruet at the Australian Nationals. The competition promises to be fierce, especially with Overbeck and Botticini showing remarkable progress, closing the gap significantly on the leaders.
The anticipation is high for an action-packed Australian Nationals, as we eagerly await the showdown between these titans of WASZP Sailing. There is so much to look forward to with the International Games starting on the 10th of December with 95 boats facing the starters gun. Stay tuned! This is going to be electric!