Sylvie Stannage & Miles Greenwood in Action at Coasts – Photo by Jon West

The Coasts at Gosford Sailing Club saw 64 ILCAs enjoying beautiful sunshine and some challenging breezes. On Saturday there was a westerly at 12 gusting to 18 knots varying from SW to NW so plenty to keep the sailors and RO Andrew McLachlan on their toes. On Sunday the scheduled 1100 start was delayed to 1300 waiting for the easterly sea breeze to push through. In the end it did come in at 9 knots gusting occasionally to 12 knots varying towards the top of the course by 45 degrees giving the sailors plenty to think about. All six scheduled races were completed with the third race on the last day started with 15 minutes to spare to the 1530 cut-off time.
 
The top sailors seemed as always to emerge in front despite the variable wind further proof if needed that skill trumps luck.
 
In the 31 boat ILCA 6 fleet Sunday’s  21st birthday girl Sylvie Stannage HHSC had three bullets for a comfortable win. Fellow HHSC (and DBSC) sailor Healy Ryan was a close third behind Sara Bruce DBSC. The training regimes at both HHSC and DBSC are certainly paying dividends.
 
Colin Beashel was the first Master and fourth overall. He is a Grand Master in ILCA parlance but also in sailing having been on Australia II winning the Americas cup in 1983 and competing in six Olympics for Australia between 1984 and 2004. Great to see him back in the class.
 
In the ILCA 7 Will Sargent who hails from Derwent Sailing Squadron in Tasmania and now sails from CYC and MHASC was the run away winner with six bullets and a second. Will Sargent was a nominee for Australian Sailing’s 2023 Australian Male Sailor of the Year award. Mike Leigh twice Canadian Olympic representative from Royal Victoria Yacht Club in British Colombia was second from Alexander Bijkerk from RPAYC.
 
It was a photo finish in the ILCA 4s with Ben Costandi DBSC/GRSC and Miles Greenwood  GSC/DBSC finishing on 9 points with Ben taking the win on a count back three wins to two. Harriet McLachlan DBSC/RSYS was close behind on third.
 
Final results for the event are Here.
 
Sunday photos from Jon West which you can purchase are Here.
 
Thanks to GSC and the many volunteers who ran this event for us. The facilities of the club, the great grass rigging area and uncrowded waters were much appreciated.
 

ILCA 7 Action and Winner Will Sargent – Photo by Jon West

The Coasts are on the weekend 14 and 15th October at Gosford Sailing Club. Tom Slingsby started his sailing here and he turned out pretty well.
Take the short trip up the M1 and enjoy the racing on the Brisbane Waters. The club has all facilities bistro, bar, great grassy rigging area and uncrowded (except for ILCAs) sailing waters.
Event entry Here is only $60 ($30 for U21s) so if you can only do one day that won’t dent the pocket too much. You can enter right up until 11.30am on Saturday at the club.
The NoR is Here and Sailing Instructions are Here.

The ILCA Fleet Comprised 42 Boats With Clase Starts and Close Racing
 

The Zhik Lake Mac Youth Sail NSW event 27 – 2 October this year comprised a three day coaching clinic and a three day regatta. Zhik and Lake Macquarie City Council were the major sponsors for this the largest junior and youth regatta in NSW.
 

The host club was Teralba Amateur Sailing Club who partenered with nearby lake clubs Speers Point Amateur Sailing Club, Toronto Amateur Sailing Club & Wangi Amateur Sailing Club to run the event for 11 classes and 156 boats.
 

Everyone was a winner however results for the racing side are Here.
 

The Lake Macquarie clubs are to be congratulated for running 2023 Youth Sail NSW and also Australian Sailing who stage these events in every state each year.