The 2019 NSW Youth Championships will get underway at Point Wolstoncroft tomorrow with competitors starting to arrive in today for the second largest gathering of youth sailors nationally.

This year’s event has attracted in excess of 250 competitors across nine classes including; 420s, 29ers, Techno 293, Techno Plus, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, Nacra 15s, Optimists and Skiffs.

The regatta has a record fleet of flying 11, doubling in numbers on previous years.

Above - live shot from Point Wolstoncroft, it's night before day one

Principal Race Officer, Jeremey Atkinson reported “for day one of the regatta tomorrow there is a moderate breeze around 10 Knots predicated”.

The regatta has top talent set to compete across classes, with some very keen sailors flying in fresh from competing at the WA Youth Championships.

In the Laser there will be Paige Calidcoat and Otto Henry who both went to Radial Worlds along with Sylvia Stannage who finished in the Top 5 at Youths last year. Will Sargent who represented Australia at the Pacific Games and Steffen Elliott-Shircore who went to worlds.

In the Nacra there are lots of new teams but the ones to watch will be Sarah Hoffman and Tom Dawson who went to the Pacific Games and the combinations of Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown, Cole Tapper and Evie Haseldine.

In the Optimits several athletes are away at the 2019 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship in Oman but still lots talent ready to race with Austin Cross, Joel Beashell, Ben Crafoord and in the girls Ellen Samson and Sara Bruce as favourites.

In the 420 there are a few powerhouse combinations to watch consisting of Linus Talacko / Lachlan Grogan, Daniel Links / Jack Ferguson, James Jackson / Lachie Caldwell and in the girls India Gilbert / Bridget Conrad who will bring the wealth of experience from attending the 420 worlds.

In the Techno Plus, Amelia Quinlan who competed at the Worlds is tipped to be a top finisher along with Hamish Swain & Vaughan O’Shea.

Follow all of the NSW Youth Championship action online at www.sailingyouth.org.au and via the socials for the latest interviews, images, videos and racing updates @AustSailYouth on Facebook and Instagram

Lisa Darmanin will also attending the NSW Youth Championships on Sunday to lead a clean-up event before racing at 8:30am Sunday 6th October. Australian Sailing encourages all participants to put on their sailing gloves and join in the clean up. Leading the clean-up will be Australian Sailing team & Olympic athlete Lisa Darmanin. Lisa is excited to be visiting the NSW Youth Championships “We hope that everyone attending can roll up their sleeves to help ensure that we leave Point Wolstoncroft cleaner than when we arrived” says Lisa.

Social Media | @AustSailYouth on Facebook and Instagram

Website | www.sailingyouth.org.au