The second day of the NSW Youth Championships saw hundreds of sailors from far and wide launch onto Lake Macquarie for the penultimate day of the state’s 2024 Zhik Youth Sail event.

In addition to welcoming more than 200 sailors from around Australia, the event is hosting 18 young sailors who have made the trip from New Zealand.

After performing a ceremonial welcome at yesterday’s regatta briefing, Optimist Open sailor Phoebe Willis (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) took to the water alongside old and new friends alike.

“Today the wind was pretty light for the first two races and pretty heavy for the last two,” said Willis.

“I had a pretty consistent day so I was pretty happy. I had lots of fun with my friends, we’re really enjoying being over here, it’s been such a great opportunity to learn.

“It has been great making new friends over here too, the training before the regatta was great for that, we all played rugby one afternoon which was fun. You never know when you’ll see them again, but I hope we will soon. 

“It’s just been really exciting to meet everyone and experience the Lake,” she said.

Currently in second place in the WASZP class after two days of racing, Marshall Day (Belmont 16ft Skiff Sailing Club) has enjoyed the varying conditions and is looking forward to a fun final day on the water.

“The racing was good today even though the weather was a bit different from yesterday. It was light at the start and then blew in at about 25 knots,” he said.

“It was good fun out there, I got a new top speed which was cool.

“I’m looking forward to the lighter wind tomorrow, it suits me cause I’m a bit smaller, so I’ll see how close I can get to my friend Louis [Tilly] (Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club) who’s in first,” he said.

Teralba Amaetur Sailing Club is hosting this year's event from Wednesday 2 to Monday 7 October.

For more information on the event, click here.

To follow along with the event on social media, be sure to follow Australian Sailing Youth on Facebook and Instagram.