Contender Australian Championships

7:39 PM Thu 1 Jan 2009 GMT

'Marcus Hamilton 2006 Australian Contender Champion' Sebastien Destremau

The Contender Australian Championships start today, January second in Perth West Australia. The fleet is smaller than usual but there are at least five sailors who have competed well on the world stage.

The weather forecast is for a windy five days, particularly Saturday, Victorian Matt Hosie is favorite after being a top 10 sailor at most worlds and excellent in heavy weather. Also expected to do well are Young Gun Jono Neate from Victoria 10th in the Medemblik Worlds 2007.

Apart from these two Paul Green from Perth is should to do well, sailing the boat that won the last Australian Championships. Paul came sixth in the Fremantle world championships.

John Cassidy and Chris Sutherland should be on the pace l, both have won the Masters World championships and Chris came fourth in the worlds in August 2008 in Kingston Canada, this was a light weather regatta.