From open fleet to youth fleet at regatta

After throwing the Cooks youth sailing team in the deep end at the Australian National Laser Championship and Open Fleets, this week the youth team changes focus to racing more in their age group rather than in open fleets in the 2014 OAMPS Australian Youth Championships.

Youth encompasses sailors under 19 at December 2013.

In the Laser Radial Fleet Teau McKenzie is one of only a few women with a very strong showing from Australian state reps in a high quality field.

This is another vital step towards preparations for the continental qualifying regatta for the Youth Olympic Games in Brisbane in April 2014 in the Byte CII class.

In a repeat of the Australian Laser Champs there was rain, wild winds and no sailing on what was scheduled to be the practice race on day 1 of the 2014 Australian Youth Championships.

The 2014 Australian Youth Championships is taking place from January 6-10, and will host 272 young competitors in six classes (192 boats) from around Australia, NZ and Japan.

Racing will take place across the two venues throughout the course of the week, the Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 classes take to the water at Blairgowrie.

In the Laser 4.7 class – youth sailors Joshua Ioane and Vanic Teina are racing in the largest fleet with 62 boats, followed by the Laser Radial (Teau McKenzie) with 45.

Day two of the youth champs racing went ahead at full speed.

Moderate winds saw 192 boats complete three races across all six classes on Victoria’s Port Phillip.

Yachting Australia’s Technical Delegate Kevin Wilson Iro was delighted with the day.

“After two days of adverse weather, it was great to get three races away in all the classes on the flat and fast conditions off Sorrento and Blairgowrie,” said Iro.

Competition intensified on day three with an unseasonal easterly threatening the racing programme.

Fortunately, the wind abated in time to let the boats afloat and complete a full day of racing.

Laser 4.7 – Joshua Ioane had a best place of 24th out of 65 and is sitting 45th overall while Vanic Teina’s best place is 30th of 65 sailors to sit at 48th overall.

In the Laser Radial open – Teau McKenzie had a best place of 35th from 45.