Hosted by Keppel Bay Sailing Club in Yeppoon, day one of the 2022 Queensland Youth Championships saw over 200 entrants take to the water in what became a windy first day of competition.

The regatta, which has taken place annually since 2006, attracts young sailors from around Australia to compete across a range of classes.

Recently awarded QLD Youth Sailor of the Year, Breanne Wadley (Tinaroo Sailing Club) finished the day at the top of the Laser 4.7 class, having won two of the first three races.

“It was a great day out on the water today, I think I started really well. I ended up with two firsts and a fourth which I’m really stoked with cause I’m pretty small in the boat” began Wadley.

“It was very windy towards the end, gusts of up 20 knots and massive swells which made it great fun surfing downwind.”

The wind, which took the place of an afternoon thunderstorm predicted by the weather forecast, was a welcome challenge for some.

Windsurfer Jarrod Jones (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) made the most of the conditions, racing well and positioning himself in first place leading into day two.

“I prefer the windy weather and it was great to get out in a new place with new conditions. I was happy with the waves as well; they were pretty fun” he noted.

Despite the weather proving beneficial for some of the fleet, it was also difficult for many, with several dropped rigs and breakages forcing athletes from a variety of classes to retire early.

In a pleasing show of unity, the sailing community came together to assist the retirees, with families and kids from a variety of clubs all lending a hand to ensure the damaged boats made it safely onto the beach and back up to the rigging lawn.

The QLD Youth Championships are set to continue over the coming days with six more races scheduled for day two and three of the regatta.

Paul Effeney, Race Officer for the event, noted that it was great to see so many kids having fun on the first day. He is positive that the atmosphere will continue to build over the coming days, encouraging participants to “Get out there, give it your best shot and make sure to enjoy yourselves along the way.”

To follow along with the action on the ground, be sure to follow Australian Sailing Youth on Facebook and Instagram.

Click here for a full list of results.