Day one of the NSW Youth Championships presented by Lake Macquarie City Council was gifted picturesque conditions the record amount of boats and competitors who made their way to South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club to compete.

Local MP Greg Piper opened the briefing welcoming the effort of the families who travelled long distances to sail at Lake Macquarie.

“It’s so great to see a record amount of many young sailors here on the Lake, I think this is the most sailors in once place this club has ever seen. I know many of you have travelled long distances to be here and it’s a pleasure to have you here” Piper said.

MP Greg Piper, Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser and Australian Sailing CEO John Lee officially welcomed and opened the event. 

To cater to so many young sailors over 120 volunteers were employed to assist with the logistics the massive event and they couldn't’t have been more accommodating to all the visitors, especially in assisting all the 300 plus boats into the water and out racing.

The boats launched one by one snaking their way to their designated course area lighting up the lake. As the Nacras and 29ers skipped across the water the big fleets of lasers and optimists steadily tracked their way across the racecourse producing some spectacular starts.

Optimists lighting up Lake Macquarie 

The Bic Technos grew in the fleet size from last year almost tripling in number. The smaller style sailboard made full advantage of the breeze and virtually skimmed on the surface of the water and over the chop.

A solid fleet of flying 11s showed their style and the fleet of NS14 from Gosford Sailing Club showed speed downwind even without the use of the spinnaker. However, just as the racing was going well the southerly decided to arrive. 30 knots of wind funneling through the lake coupled with shallow water made a mess of racing.

The nacra15s spent most of their time being a monohull in the breeze

To the credit of all the coach boats, volunteers, parents, race officers and staff all competitors were brought back to shore safely and into the clubhouse to warm up with a BBQ meal provided by the great cooks from the club.

Racing kicks off tomorrow at 10:00am, be sure to check out all the socials and keep up with the action.

@austsail

@austsailyouth

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