Champions crowned on final day of record-breaking 2024 Zhik Youth Sail Queensland
After three days of competitive racing, the history-making 2024 Zhik Youth Sail Queensland event has come to a close, with Champions crowned in all classes on what was a windy day in Keppel Bay.
All 280 sailors proved the future of sailing is in safe hands, with their love for the sport shining bright throughout close races that saw the standings shuffle after almost each race.
In the Optimist Open class, Monte Morse (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) claimed the win out on the open water, while Olivia Barr (Maroochydore Sailing Club) sealed the deal in the Optimist Intermediate class, five and a half points ahead of her nearest competitor.
“The event has been really good, the conditions were perfect for the first few days of the Regatta but were a bit windy today,” said Barr.
“I won the first race today but I didn’t finish the second because the weather got worse. I’m still really happy with how I did because I did my best.
“I have a Laser at home but I’ve been trying to perfect my Opti skills first. I’ll probably stay in my Opti for a bit longer, but I’m really happy with this result because it means I’ll get to take the next step in my sailing journey soon,” she said.
In the Foiling Kite class, Australian Sailing Futures Team Member Oscar Timm (Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club) didn’t drop a race the entire Championship, sealing the deal in style.
“It was a good week, I put in a pretty solid performance and am super happy with a lot of my races even though there’s always room for improvement,” said Timm.
“It was awesome to be out there with a couple of guys on the start line, the quality was really good too.
“We rarely get to have races with a decent sized fleet in Queensland, so it was awesome to have people to train with and push against this week.
“We didn’t get any races in today, but the weather here the rest of the week was amazing. Super flat water, pretty much perfect for foiling, so that was awesome,” he said.
Lucas Patrick (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron), Sami Rippon (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) and Emma Webb (Belmont 16 Foot Skiff Sailing Club) won the Wing Foil class in a three way tie.
“It was an awesome week, a bit challenging but I learned a lot,” said Webb.
“The racing today got cancelled which was a shame but I also think tying for first is pretty cool, we’re all sharing it around.
“I’ve loved meeting new people this week and experiencing different conditions has been great, it’s been heaps of fun,” she said.
Joshua Waters (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) won the IQFoil Junior trophy while Joseph Folley (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) took a convincing win in the corresponding open class.
After tight racing throughout the week, sailor Jack Eickmeyer (Victoria’s Mornington Yacht Club) claimed second place in the ILCA 7 class.
“I’m super pleased to come away with a top three finish. The entire ILCA fleet here was at a really high level, so it was nice to be up in the mix and have some close battles,” said Eickmeyer.
“I was really happy to keep a consistent scoreboard this week, I think that was the key to success.
“The event was great, we had a range of big breeze and not so much wind, so that really tested everyone’s skills.
“Everyone was great and super welcoming, it was an awesome event to be part of,” he said.
With only one point separating first, second and third going into the final day on the water for the ILCA 6 class, today’s shortened program saw the outcome come down to the final two races. Henry Piggott (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) ended his campaign with a win, while clubmate Fraces Bebe finished third and first girl.
Breanne Wadley (Tinaroo Sailing Club/Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron took a convincing win in the ILCA 4 class, with James Dale (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) coming in as first boy.
Alyssa Mathieu (Townsville Sailing Club) maintained her lead in the Sabot to win the class, while sailor Amelia Tracey (Tinaroo Sailing Club) was the best on water in the O’pen Skiff.
On the Foxtrot course, the Green Fleet saw skilled and competitive racing across all three days, with all sailors enjoying themselves and their experience at the event.
Australian Sailing extends its thanks to Keppel Bay Sailing Club for hosting this year's event from Monday 16th to Saturday 21st September.
Sincere thanks are also extended to sponsors Zhik and ESP for their support of the event and the next generation of Queensland’s sailors.
For more information on the Regatta or to view a full list of results for all classes, click here.
