Zhik Australian 49er National Championships 2009-10

3:38 AM Sat 7 Nov 2009 GMT

'49er crew Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen in Weymouth' Craig Heydon Click Here to view large photo

Spectacular racing is expected at the Zhik Australian 49er National Championships beginning on Lake Macquarie NSW on November 28th. The event will be hosted by Wangi RSL Amateur Sailing Club (WASC) from WASC on Watkins Road, Wangi Wangi, NSW.

The regatta will be contested in a series of 14 races over a period of four days. The idyllic waters of Lake Macquarie and strong summer northeasters should provide for some exciting racing from these high-performance Olympic-class skiffs.

International competition in 49ers has been intense with teams intent on gaining selection for the 2012 Olympics. Australia distinguished itself at the recent World Championship in Riva del Garda, Italy, with Wangi's own Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen taking the gold medal ahead of Great Britain's John Pink and Rick Peacock, and Italy's Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello, who finished third. Melbourne's Will and Sam Phillips finished 15th, with renowned Sydney 18-foot skiff champions Euan McNicol and Sam Newton in 19th place. Outteridge and Jensen subsequently took gold at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta 2009, at Weymouth, UK.

The next 49er World Championships will be held in the Bahamas in January 2010 and the Wangi Nationals will be a lead-in and testing ground for this event. Current World 29er Champion Steve Thomas will be amongst entries from Perth, and international entries are expected from Greece, Ireland and New Zealand.

Further information is available from www.wangirslasc.yachting.org.au/ , or from Tony Outteridge on (02) 49752585.

by Margaret Jensen

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Zhik Australian 49er National Championships 2009-10

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