It’s time to get excited!

58 boats from across the state have entered the 2022 Youth Sail SA Youth Championships set to take place this weekend at Largs Bay Sailing Club.

The event, which brings together young sailors in a range of classes including 420, Cadet, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, Mirror, Open Skiff and Optimist fleets Open, Intermediate and Green and will also act as the International 420 and International Cadet State Championships.

The Strong fleet of 8 International Cadets including South Australian International Cadet National Champions Max and John Sturman from Port Lincoln Yacht Club and local Largs Bay Sailing Club Sailors Zane Chaplin and Will Clough are included in the list of those registered and will be looking to secure their place as crews to watch as they prepare to represent Australia at the upcoming International Cadet World Championships at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in December 2022.

Australian Sailing Youth Team Members Ben Hinks and Fallon Katz have transitioned to the 470 class and will use the event to gear up for Sail Sydney next month.

This year, the event has also attracted talent from outside of South Australia, with Eddie Reid from Tasmania (Laser Radial) and Matty Goss from Victoria making the trip to compete. Matty will be teaming up with local Largs Bay Sailor, Carter Baker for the event, and both sailors will have their sights set on the future as they also sail the IQ Foil this season and plan to team up for the 420 Australian Championships in Metung, Victoria.

The Optimist Open class will consist of a very hot fleet, with Australian Optimist Development Squad sailors Paige Grigg, Sophia Homes, Darcy Higgins and Toby Phillips recently returning from overseas events and looking forward to the upcoming Australian Optimist Championships at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in New South Wales.

We also warmly welcome our new optimist green fleet sailors and hope you enjoy the event lead by Green Fleet Head Coach Jonas Barrett.

The Lasers have been working hard locally training several times a week and will be a great event leading in the 2023 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships at Georges River Sailing Club, NSW.

On the coaching front, we welcome Ash Brunning, Australian Sailing’s Performance Pathway Technical Manager and Brady Lowe, the SA Performance Pathway Coordinator, who are attending the event to assist and mentor coaches.

The event is set to be a big one, with Largs Bay Sailing Club, Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, Henley Sailing Club, Adelaide Sailing Club, Port Lincoln Yacht Club, Goolwa Aquatic Club, Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, Sandringham Yacht Club, Sandy Bay Sailing Club and Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania all represented.

Finally, we extend a huge thank you to all the volunteers lined up to assist with the event – the 2022 Youth Sail Youth Championships would not be possible without you.