47th International Cadet Nationals, 11-18 January 2009

9:37 AM Tue 24 Feb 2009 GMT

'Close racing during the 47th International Cadet Nationals' Andrew Minns

The 47th International Cadet Australian Championship was held at Port Lincoln during January.

Apart from the abandonment of races on Day 1 due to strong, hot, northerly winds, the following ten races were sailed in 5 - 15 knot breezes. Wind conditions were generally shifty with pressure patches which favoured those who were able to work the shifts and then consolidate their gains.

Competitors travelled from Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide to make up a strong 73 boat fleet. Those who travelled long distances were not disappointed - the protected waters of Boston Bay provided excellent dinghy sailing waters.

A well prepared Tasmanian team dominated the event, with Tasmanian boats taking the first five places. Entering the last day the points were tight and several boats were in contention, Lewis Noye and crew Oliver Burnell put together two great races and were rewarded with the National Championship. Local Port Lincoln sailors Louise Stephens and Lauren Henderson placed a respectable eighth.

The first ten finishers included a mix of older timber boats and the latest Mk IV fibreglass boats from Xtreme and Andrew Baker. No single sailmaker dominated the results, with Hood, John Clifton, Quantum and South Eastern all having boats in the top ten.

Organisers from the Port Lincoln Yacht Club event did a great job hosting the regatta. Some of the off water highlights included swimming with the tuna on the lay day, the raffle of a new International Cadet donated by Xtreme Sailing Products, great food and a trophy presentation with Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page.

The top seven crews were invited to make up the Australian team to travel to the next World Championships which are to be held in Argentina, January 2010.

Results:

1. 9520, Noye-Burnell (Tas), 24
2. 4887, Bailey-Bailey (Tas), 31
3. 9012, Kennedy-Hamilton (Tas), 44
4. 9424, Chesterman-Chesterman (Tas), 48
5. 5712, Ransley-Hudson (Tas), 49
6. 9529, Say-Brill (Vic), 54
7. 4109, Lee-Baranowski (Vic) 60
8. 9622, Stephens-Henderson (SA) 61
9. 9526, Swan-Witty (Vic), 70
10. 9429, Groome-Alm (SA) 71 Championships

by Duncan Groome

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47th International Cadet Nationals, 11-18 January 2009

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