1:50 AM Wed 29 Oct 2008 GMT
Every Sunshine Coast yacht, dinghy, catamaran and sailboard sailor are happy with the spring weather systems as they prepare to contest major ocean races and national class championships over the Christmas-New Year.
There has been a pleasant mix of moderate to fresh winds and generally warm temperatures as the individual aquatic athletes continue to evaluate their sails, technique and boat speed for the challenge ahead.
Several young Mooloolaba Dinghy Club, Maroochy and Noosa club Sabot sailors have become involved with stepping up their training sessions to be race ready when the Sabot 2008-9 Australian championship is decided over the Whitsunday Sailing Club's Pioneer Bay course where former Mooloolaba girl skipper Shelly White has been named as the title favourite.
Shelly (15) who began her now very impressive career with learn to sail courses on the safe and placid waters of the Mooloolah River will race under the Keppel Bay Sailing Club 'Battle Flag' and has already indicated she has the required boat speed and form to match the expected challenges from her male rivals.
The exceptionally talented teenager has the required tactical skill and determination to become the second female in the 44 year history of the class to win the prestigious National trophy with her dinghy Stay Tuned.
However Shelley White is not resting with her previous results and understands that this regatta will be her last chance to win the Sabot Green and Gold ribbons before focusing her career on the International 420 and 470 classes in a bid to become a future Olympian.
Meanwhile Shelley and her shore crew including dedicated parents Mal and Kelly will continue to fine tune their preparations while sun-tanned marathon ocean race sailor Casey Smith (29) continues to face more serious physical challenges aboard the Volvo Ocean Race sloop Puma Racing Team USA.
 | Bowman Casey Smith onboard PUMA Ocean Racing's il mostro, on leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race. Rick Deppe/PUMA Ocean Racing/Volvo Ocean Race - Volvo Ocean Race © Click Here to view large photo |
On Wednesday Casey Smithalong with skipper Ken Read and multiple World title winning sailors including Newcastle's Chris Nicholson were preparing to enter Nature's gateway to the fury of South Atlantic gales as they tracked a fast spinnaker sailing course towards the picturesque South African port of Cape Town.
At the time former Olympic Star Class Gold Medallist Torben Grael of Brazil was reported to have helmed Ericsson 4 into a nine nautical mile lead over Puma Racing while Green Dragon held third as the fleet prepared to face the fury of strong gales and big seas.
A report from Puma Racing confirmed that the fresh South Westerlies had closed in and the deck was awash as the power sailing sloop launched into a roller coaster ride down the South African coast.
They faced a testing time avoiding wild out- of- control 'wipe outs' as the wind continued to whistle through the rigging while the favourable waves combined to propel Puma Racing into the fast lane logging 68 nautical miles in three hours lifting their hopes of challenging the 24 hour World Record of 562.96 nautical miles as the wind system intensifies over the next few days.
by Ian Grant
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