Olympians claim victory on final day of Sail Melbourne 2024
by Australian Sailing 1 Dec 2024 18:41 AEDT
28 November - 1 December 2024
A windy final day of racing at Sail Melbourne 2024 saw Olympians dominate on the waves, with results in several classes coming down to the final race of the regatta.
As one of Australia's premier 'off the beach' regattas and one of the largest annually in the southern hemisphere, Sail Melbourne is critical to the growth and success of junior and youth sailors, enabling them to race alongside their Olympic heroes.
Despite winds of up to 25 knots cancelling racing across several classes on the final day, John Bertrand AO said the enthusiasm from the sailors across all classes has been something to behold.
"The conditions at Sail Melbourne change every day; that's Port Phillip and Victoria for you," said America's Cup legend, Bertrand.
"The race track here is just so good; it's world-class, and to see the sailors, especially the young people, come through with such enthusiasm is just incredible."
In the iQFOiL class, Paris 2024 silver medallist Grae Morris (Woollahra Sailing Club) put on a masterclass across the four days, winning each of the 14 races and claiming both the Sail Melbourne and Australian Championship titles.
"We got two races in today in a full-on, honking breeze. It was an awesome way to finish the regatta," said Morris.
"Sail Melbourne is great because you get a range of conditions and so many different people out on the race course. You really can't fault the event, and I come every year for that reason."
Stella Bilger (New Zealand) claimed the top spot in the Open Women's class, finishing ahead of Aimee Bright (New Zealand) and local sailor Anna Cripsey (Royal Brighton Yacht Club).
A battle for the top spot ensued in both the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes, with just one race on the final day of the regatta deciding the podium in each.
In the ILCA 6 class, Paris Olympian Zoe Thomson (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club) went into today just one point ahead of Tokyo Olympian Mara Stransky (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron), with the former coming out on top after a solid final race.
"It was tough racing this week, and the overall result came down to the very last race, which is really what you want," said Thomson.
"It ended up being a good race too; it was really physical, and we had full hikes. The breeze was pretty shifty and all of a sudden on the last upwind, Mara and I were neck and neck in 25 knots; I really enjoyed battling it out," she said.
After seven races, Australian Sailing Team athletes Zac Littlewood (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club) and Ethan McAullay (Royal Perth Yacht Club) were tied on 11 points before the final race of the regatta, with McAullay ultimately claiming the title.
"We love Sail Melbourne, it's a great event and every day is different," said McAullay.
"We had a bit of a break this year after we wrapped up training with Matt [Wearn] before the Games in Marseille, but we started training again about two months ago.
"Sail Melbourne is our first regatta of the summer and it's been a great way to kick things off," he said.
In the Kite Foil class, Paris Olympian Lukas Walton-Keim (New Zealand) and training partner Lorenzo Boschetti (Italy) also had a battle on their hands on the final day of the regatta. Both tied on 10 points going into the final day, Walton-Keim claimed the trophy after winning three of today's four races.
"I didn't really have any expectations coming in; I just wanted to get some good training and racing in, and we've definitely done that," said Walton-Keim.
"Half way through the regatta, Lorenzo and I looked at each other and just said, 'Man, we've been pushing each other so hard'. It was so much fun and I'm so glad I came," he said.
In the Optimist Open class, up-and-coming sailors Acklin Stent (Mornington Yacht Club) and Cleo Paterson (Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club) finished top boy and top girl, respectively.
Sail Melbourne took place at Royal Brighton Yacht Club from November 28 to December 1.
Click here to view full results or here for more information.