Big Weekend of Sailing in WA - Championships

BIG WEEKEND OF SAILING - 22nd April 2008

By John Roberson

For a weekend at the tail-end of the summer, it's a big three days of sailing in Western Australia, with two state championships, arally and the start of a major offshore race.

The Optimist dinghies and the Contender class are holding their state championships, while the old gaffers are gathering for aget-together, and the Fremantle to Carnarvon race starts.

Without doubt the biggest event is the Optimist state championships being hosted by the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club,with up to 80 entries expected, including overseas and interstate competitors.

Mark Stowell of the West Australian International Optimist Dinghy Association says that the strong W.A. fleet will be boosted by entriesfrom Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide within Australia, and from Dubai, and possibly from south east Asia.

Included in the fleet will be the squad of five young sailors who will represent Australia at the world championships in Turkey in July, with three of the team being West Australians.

Defending his state title will be Sam Gilmour, son of Perth's most famous international sailor, Peter Gilmour.

The Contender class are expecting a more modest 10 boats for their championship, which is being hosted by Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club,and will be a nine race series, sailed over Saturday and Sunday.

Defending champion John Cassidy is unable to sail due to a shoulder injury, but event organiser Ross Brennan expects to see a tough fight between Chris Sutherland of the host club, and South of Perth Yacht Club's Paul Green for the trophy.

Also at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club on Saturday afternoon will be a slightly less competitive gathering, for old gaffers,though there is often competition amongst this group for the brightest varnish work, or the most eccentric outfit.
Fremantle Sailing Club's offshore race to Carnarvon starts on Anzac Day, Friday, at 12:55 pm with a quality fleet of eight boats setting out on the 475 nautical mile dash.