A fleet of 46 boats has entered in the Australian 420 Nationals, which are being held at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club this week as part of the SA Summer of Sail Festival.
Of the boats entered, approximately half of the skippers are females, which is excellent to see in this growing youth class.
There is also a strong South Australian contingent for the home state nationals and locals are performing well so far already.
The event is sponsored by Westminster School, Binks Marine, Ronstan and North Sails — thanks to all the sponsors that make the event happen.
There is a fleet of 46 boats at the 420 nationals at Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club. Photos: Dave Birss, Epsom Rd Studios.
January 3 — three races — day sponsored by Seacliff Beach Hotel
The opening day of championship racing for the event provided sailors with a typical Brighton south-easterly with changes in wind strength and direction challenging the competitors however providing great sailing conditions. Race officer Peter Gold and his team managed to get the maximum scheduled races in, which was great to see.
Racing was extremely close during the first day with numerous position changes. Local Brighton and Seacliff rivals Alex Higgins and Matt Meaney performed extremely well, while recent Sail Melbourne winner, Nick Joel, won the first race.
Past Optimist Australian champions Otto Henry from New South Wales and Nia Jerwood from Western Australia also performed strongly.
Racing continued yesterday with another three races programmed. Yesterday was sponsored by The Fibreglass Factory.
With some stronger winds came some glamorous capsizes. Photos: Dave Birss, Epsom Rd Studios.
Results for first three races…
Race 1
- 1. Nick Joel/Hugo Llewelyn (VIC)
- 2. Joshua Pang/Liam Forrester (WA)
- 3. Matt Meaney/Sam Magarey (SA)
Race 2
- 1. Alex Higgins/Joel Mackenzie (SA)
- 2. Laura Harding/Eleanor Grimshaw
- 3. Matt Meaney/Sam Magarey (SA)
- 1. Otto Henry/Rome Featherstone (NSW)
- 2. Alex Higgins/Joel Mackenzie (SA)
- 3. Nia Jerwood/Monique deVries (WA)
