The 2020 Australian Laser Championships and Australian Youth Championships were two epic regattas which embodied the true spirit of the laser community and celebrated the sport of sailing. Four of the NT Laser 4.7s, Aden McGrath, James McGrath, Phoebe Wiltshire, and Rachelle van den Herik travelled down to Sandringham and Sorrento to compete in these two events. Laser 4.7 sailor Huw Wiltshire also hopped into a 420 with past Minnow sailor Jade Telford for the Youth Nationals. The Victorian weather put on a magnificent show for us as we experienced both two knots of wind and curtains of smoke, to winds gusting twenty-two knots and perfectly clear waters and skies.

2020 Australian Laser Championships - Sandringham Yacht Club

Day one began with measurement, which involved a few minor issues of lower sections needing to be bent and centreboards sanded down to fit the legal requirements. The day after, racing commenced, bringing conditions about as different to Darwin as you can get. Both our boats and bodies were put through heavy wind and big waves, not to mention the smoke from the bush fires stopping us from being able to see the top mark until we were within a hundred metres of it. The 4.7’s seemed to always score the course furthest from the club (Bravo course) on the windiest, coldest, and longest race days, copping a big beat back upwind to the club after three tiring races; you can only imagine how energy levels were after that! The start lines were very much the opposite of the very spacious ones found in Darwin, with boats racking up gunnel to gunnel on the 100-metre line, all fighting for a good start and clear air.

Over the course of the week both the Laser 4.7’s and Standards who were sharing a course together, became extremely familiar with both the General Recall flag, as well as the Black flag, but no disqualifications were given out to us thankfully. While it took some time for us to find our groove on the start line, it’s fair to say that reaching was a strength for everyone in the squad, as we were all were able to gain at least five boats on the reach. Throughout the regatta the NT team was constantly learning, adjusting and refining their boat handling and racing skill, all achieving consistent results.

It was by far the biggest fleet that any of us had ever sailed in with a total of 79 Laser 4.7s. Our overall placements were Aden McGrath in 30th, James McGrath in 44th, Rachelle van den Herik in 57th, and Phoebe Wiltshire in 72nd. Besides the cold and wind, Phoebe having a few boat problems and nearly breaking her nose, everyone learnt heaps and made many new friends, all enjoying the thrill of sending it in twenty knots plus!

Australian Youth Championships - Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club

Thick sandy beaches and crystal waters, locals sun baking on the beach and jumping off the pier, 29ers, Nacra 15’s, 420’s, Techno 293’s and Lasers all huddled together along the Sorrento shore line. This was the setting for the 2020 Australian Youth Championships. The Youths kicked off with two races on the first day bringing some proper send conditions. Winds up in the high twenties and very steep chop made the up winds a hard slog, with many capsizes, near death rolls and nose diving on the down winds. These conditions did not only make it challenging physically, but we also had to find the mental strength we needed to sail the two large competitions back to back.

On the second day of racing, there was a lot of drifting around the start line, with the breeze not filling in until an hour after the initial start time was scheduled. We completed three races on this day, with conditions being shifty and light over the duration of the races. Although that day was the last time we would be sailing in Sorrento, many of us did not think this would be the case. When we got to the club the next day, there was absolutely zero wind, and the smoke was so bad they wouldn’t let us sail even if the breeze did fill in. They kept us waiting on shore for most of the day, so we had lots of time to socialize and play beach cricket with the other sailors. Unfortunately, the fourth day was the same as the previous one, so in the end we didn’t get any more racing in. It did give us more time to get the boats to McCrae and have them packed in the container before presentation that evening.

Everyone had an amazing time in Victoria, both regattas were definitely the most exciting and eventful Laser competitions that we have all competed in. All of our sailing skills improved and we feel that we now have a better understanding of championship racing. The friends and memories made at these two events were ones which we will cherish forever.

Vibes on the 420 course – Australian Youth Nationals - Huw Wiltshire

This year at the 2020 Australian Youth Nationals I decided to make a last-minute boat change, and jumped into a 420 with a mate I grew up sailing and an ex NT minnow sailor, Jade Telford. The first day of racing was pretty tough for us considering I was new to the boat and we were drastically underweight sailing in very windy conditions, but we managed to finish the three races. The following day had conditions which were far more enjoyable. Unfortunately, over the next two days no sailing occurred but overall, I really enjoyed the regatta.

One last thank you to our parents and all the organisers and volunteers which made it possible for us to compete in these amazing events.