Steve Geck, Monday, 16 January 2012
2012 Sabot Nationals - Southport Yacht Club
There was some very good results for the South Queensland sabot sailors at the recent national titles held at Southport. There was a wide range of sailing conditions from strong wind warnings easing to light conditions with the last two days of nationals racing being conducted in offshore waters near the sand pumping jetty on the Southport Spit.
In a very competitive fleet, it was local Southport sailor, Kyle O’Connor, who was crowned the 48th Australian National 1-up Sabot Champion, another local, Zane Comadira finished 4th.
Our BSS 1-up sailors were very well represented in the results with Frazer Smith 6th, and Lily Geck 7th. Trevor Koreman finished 12th but deserved better after being black flagged in the last race, Carissa Bridge showed early form with a 2nd in the first race, Steph Markey finished 3rd across the line in the fourth race but also fell foul of the dreaded black flag. Hugo van Buuren was also very competitive in the stronger winds.
Our 2-up sailors proved dominant at the nationals with BSS sailors scoring a very rare trifecta. Ben Markey and Andy Russell showed their talent by defending their national title crown with Carlton Smith and William Bridge 2nd and Nicole and Jack Carter 3rd. Natalie Bridge and Helena Lambourne came 6th with Patrick Lambourne and Felix Davenport Manners improving throughout the series.
South Queensland sailors were also dominant in the Sabot Week competition taking out the top 7 places. BSS was well represented with Liam Geck winning sabot week with David McKay 2nd, Harrison White 3rd, Xanthe Walker 4th, Southport sailors Thomas Little, and Joseph Sabin 5th and 6th, and Josh Cox surprising everybody by finishing 7th. Tarquin Davenport Manners was 10th, Ramon Arabejo 14th, Meg Cox 19th, (Josh was happy to beat his big sister) Christina Bowden 20th, Jacinta Lambourne 23rd, and Tanika Robba 25th. It was also good to see Maggie Bowden sailing her sabot in the light races after a recent illness.
With results like these, there was no surprise that the South Queensland sailors won the teams event for the national 1-up, national 2-up and the sabot week team trophies.
The Southport Yacht Club hosted a great regatta with 135 sailors enjoying close racing in testing conditions with a friendly, holiday atmosphere. There were some magnificent photos taken at the event, a sample of these images can be found on the SQSA website www.sqsa.org.au/gallery/
The next sabot titles will be held at Royal Brighton Yacht Club in Victoria.
Last Modified on 16/01/2012 20:30