The 2017 9er Australian Championships have just been held at the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron. Four RQYS 29er’s headed south for event with Sailing Manager & Youth Squad Coach Brady Lowe. RQYS sailor Tom Cunich crewed for current girls world champion skipper Annabele Davies from Perth and continued to deliver fantastic results with a 3rd overall.

1849 – Ashlee Daunt & Natalie Bridge (39)
1006 – Ashleigh Swadling & Will Shapland (27)
1941 – Will Bridge & Lachlan Prentice (38)
2132 – Matt Rogers & Joshua Sloman (22)

The 29er fleet (56 boats) is the hottest youth class in Australia at present with the current Open World Champions (boys and girls), the recently crowned (December 2016) girls Youth World Champion and many more ex or current youth champions from feeder classes.

Conditions across the 16 race regatta were mixed, with large swell at times and wind ranging from 0 – 15 knots, challenging when combined with a couple of days sailing in 40 deg C heat.

This was the first 29er Nationals for most crews, with RQYS boats managing a couple of top 10 finishes and many in the teens. With the fleet finishing within 15 minutes of each other, one poor mark rounding generally meant 2-5 places lost. The 9er event also attracted a strong field of 49ers and 49erFX’s with the current Australian Sailing Team represented, so it was a good opportunity for the RQYS fleet to see the professionals in action.

From this regatta the teams have a day off and will be heading down to the Australian Youth Championships at Adelaide Sailing Club.

The 9er Nationals (26th – 31st December) and Australian Youth Nationals are at RQYS at the end of 2017. If you have any questions about the 9er class come and see us on the rigging lawn every saturday.