After two summers affected by COVID, it has been great to have so many classes run their nationals at NSW clubs over the Christmas break. Below is a wrap up of some of the regattas.
 
The ILCA Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships were held at Georges River Sailing Club with conditions ranging from sunny skies with 15kn NE to wet & wild 25kn S. There were 55 ILCA4s, 83 ILCA6s, and 40 ILCA7s including athletes from Australia, New Zealand, UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, Turkey, Hungary, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Samoa, and Chile! It was a privilege for weekend enthusiasts to race against Olympic gold medallists and the rising stars of sailing. 
 
The Cherub National Council of Australia was proud to announce that the 58th Australian National Championships was hosted at Wangi RSL Amateur Sailing Club from the 27th of December 2022 to the 4th of January 2023. After two years of border closures and regatta cancellations, it was fair to say that they were all well overdue to come together again. Banjo Nicholson and Thomas Steenson from Belmont 16ft Sailing Club claimed victory at the Vaikobi 58th National Cherub Championship and were awarded the Newhaven Yacht Squadron Trophy. In second place, just two points behind, were Nathan McNamara and Peter McLeod and third place was Scott Day and Nigel Hale. 
 
The 54th Manly Junior Australian Championship 2022/23 was held at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club from Wednesday 28th of December to 30th December 2022. Fantastic three days of racing from the MJ’s, with a presentation with all the Novice, Handicap, Scratch Winners, and placegetters as well as the spot prize winners.
 
Who would’ve thought that after 50 years in Australia, the Hobie Cat Class would be as thrilling, influential, and undoubtedly unique as it was all those years ago?? Just about everyone! The Vincentia Sailing Club, in conjunction with the NSW Hobie Cat Association and Hobie Cat Asia Pacific was overwhelmingly proud to be hosting the 50th Australian Hobie Cat National Championships on the glorious waters of Jervis Bay, NSW. Home to the 2011 Australian Hobie Cat National Championships, and the 2014 Hobie 16 World Championships, Jervis Bay is well accustomed to the colour and excitement that Hobie Racing brings to each and every event. The 50th Australian Hobie Cat National Championships were held over 2 series with series 1 over 28th December – 31st December and series 2 from 2nd January – 5th January. 
 
The 2023 Musto Australian Optimist Championship was held at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club from 9-14th January 2023. The class had 180 competitors as well as 90 support boats out on the water. Congratulations to Zachary Tait for coming 1st in the Green fleet in NSW. Another achievement from NSW from this regatta was the Bennett Family Trophy for the Club with the most entries from Hunters Hill Sailing Club and Woollahra Sailing Club. Well done to all competitors and Clubs. 

The 48th Australian Tasar Nationals was in full swing at Toronto Amateur Sailing Club on the shore of Lake Macquarie from 29/12/2022 to 06/01/2023. The winner was James Burman and Tara Burman from Northbridge Sailing Club NSW, and 2nd place was Rick Longbottom and Darryl Bently from the Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association NSW. 
 
The Australian 9er National Championships 2023 were held at Lake Macquarie – South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club (Sunshine). 1st place in the 29er was Joel Beashel and Logan Radford from Belmont 16’s NSW and 3rd place was Ben Crafoord and Jacob Marks from WSC/ MHYC NSW. 3rd place in the 49er FX was Mina Ferguson and Madeleine Mcleay from MHYC, RSYS and WSC NSW. 
 
The Australian 13ft & 16ft Skiff National Championships were held at Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club. Congratulations to Jemma Hopkins from Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club on coming first on scratch for the 13ft. Also congratulations to Taylor Springett for coming 2nd and Avril Richardson for placing 3rd on Scratch for the 13ft Skiffs. Zackary Wyatt came first on Handicap from Hornsby Ku-ring gai Sailing Club for the 13ft. Congratulations to Nathan Wilmot from Manly for coming first on Scratch and coming first in the masters for the 16ft’s. Eva Attwood came first on Handicap from Manly Sailing Club. Zoe Dransfield came first in the female series results for the 16ft skiffs. In the youth series results, congratulations to Matt Meaney for coming first from Belmont. 

Skiff Nationals
 
The MG14 2022-2023 Australian Championships were held at St George Sailing Club on the 1st and 6th of January 2023. Congratulations to the winners Kurtis Warner and Kristy Edwards from St George Sailing Club NSW and Jim Kerrison and Deb Stenning for coming 2nd from Port Macquarie Sailing Club NSW. 

If we missed your regatta or you have news you would like to share, please email an article and photos to -  news@sailing.org.au