National Champs good guide for Yngling Worlds
by Simone Green, Yachting Australia on 31 Dec 2003
Mel Dennison - vying for Olympic spot Katrina Butler
With the Australian Yngling Championship concluding on Sydney Harbour the attention now shifts to the Yngling World Championship being held on the waters of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
Racing at the nationals provided excellent preparation for the World Championship with both the X Factor team, Melanie Dennison (VIS), Caroline Aders (NSWIS) and Fiona Herbert (NSWIS) and the YZ Racing Team, Nicky Bethwaite (NSWIS), Kristen Kosmala (NSWIS) and new crew Karyn Gojnich showing good speed when the wind finally came.
The final day of racing at the Australian Championship was sailed in 12-20 knots with close racing between the top five boats.
In the 25 boat fleet, Dennison and Bethwaite finished on equal points, with Dennison taking third overall on a count back and Bethwaite taking fourth. Neville Wittey and his crew took the number one spot.
'This regatta does not count in the Olympic nomination series, however it is a good guide to the Worlds (that do count) which start on 2nd January,' Bethwaite explained.
The World Championship has been selected as the Yngling class’ fourth and final Olympic Nomination Regatta. With approximately 40 boats competing, Yachting Australia’s Yngling coach, Dayne Sharp said the large fleet will bring extra pressure to start each race well.
'Both crews are looking forward to the Worlds. The competition will be tough and finishing well will come down to the team that makes the least mistakes,' Sharp added.
There will be no time for the Yngling sailors to party and celebrate New Year with a practice race scheduled on January 1st, and race one scheduled for the 2nd.
Yachting Australia will bring you daily updates and results from the Yngling World Championship.
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