Metropolitan Championships 2023

Alexander Bijkerk a Clear Winner in ILCA 7s – photo by Rob Barnes

The 2023 NSW & ACT Metropolitan Championships were run over the 25-26 March at Double Bay Sailing Club.

There were 84 boats competing with a great roll up of 24 ILCA 4 and 38 ILCA 6s and 22 ILCA 7s and boats from Queensland and Tasmania competing with NSW & ACT locals. The ILCA 7 numbers were down somewhat as a result of the busy program of interclub events so far in 2023 including Australian & Oceania Open, A&O Masters and ILCA World Masters.

Six races were completed over the two days in oscillating generally easterly breezes from 10 -13 knots. The triangle and windward and return courses were set between between Shark and Clark Islands convenient to the club and away from the main harbour traffic except for the Etchells a few of which on Saturday managed the suicide path on a port run through the starting fleet of ILCAs all on starboard.

Healy Ryan (HHSC/DBSC) was the fleet winner in the ILCA 4s with very consistent performances including two heat wins and two seconds. Second was Tasmanian Harry Pilkington (RYCT) closely followed by Queenslander Breanne Wadley (Tinaroo SC).

In the ILCA 6s Evie Saunders (Manly ILCAs) and Brooke Wilson (RSYS/DBSC) put their great skills and Sydney Harbour sailing knowledge to good effect at the front of the fleet. Evie finished a few points in front of Brooke counting three heat wins and two seconds. Local Connor Kellett (DBSC) was third just one point in front of current World GGM Masters Champion Jeff Loosemore.

Alexander Bijkerk (RPAYC/DBSC) won every race except the last to record a convincing win in the ILCA 7s. Otto Henry ((WSC/RSYS/DBSC) who won the final race and was consistently well placed in the others was second with Under 21 sailor Julian Taylor (WSC/RSYS/DBSC) third just ahead of Tom Farley (B16s/NCYC).

The full results for the series are Here.

DBSC did a great job running this event for us with many of their sailors volunteering on the water giving up their weekend sailing to make the event a great success.

Thanks also to our RO Andrew McLachlan. Andrew is Commodore of Georges River Sailing Club which runs a large number of big events (including this year our ILCA Oceania & Australian Championships. Andrew some how finds the time also to RO our NSW & ACT events.

Evie Saunders and Healy Ryan ILCA 6 and ILCA 4 Winners with DBSC Rear Commodore Rod Barnes – photo by Steve London