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4:27 AM Tue 20 Jan 2009 GMT
 | | 'Close racing expected at Youth International - Sailing Scene - International Youth Hobie 16 "Challenge"'
Anthony Duchatel
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The Youth Hobie 16 'Challenge', to be held off the waters of Palm Beach in Sydney from the 23rd to the 26th January, has grown into a major international event.
Forty of the world's best Youth sailors from across Australia and the South Pacific have signed up for the 'Challenge' which is to be run on Hobie 16 catamarans.
The International Hobie Cat Association and country Hobie Associations are supporting the Challenge with financial support from sponsors including The Sailing Scene, Hogs Breath and Norwood Tills.
Kerli Corlett the proprietor of The Sailing Scene, a leading Australian Hobie Cat dealership and the major sponsor of the Challenge said 'the Challenge has attracted so much interest because its exciting and affordable for youth sailors who want to compete on a level playing field.'
The event has grown from modest beginnings with a 'Challenge' between Palm Beach and New Caledonian based teams and is now a full-scale international event rivalled only by the Hobie 16 Youth World Titles.
An open regatta has since been included to give more depth and interest to the event. There are now over 80 sailors representing ten nations registered for this prestigious event, so some close racing is expected.
The 'Challenge' has attracted three of the current Hobie 16 World champions.
Jason Waterhouse, the current World Youth champion is defending the 'Challenge' championship he won last year, teaming up with cousin Lisa Darmannin after their recent runaway win at the Australian Nationals. Kerli and Ali Corlette, the current World Grandmaster champions along with Mick Butler the Open World Champion will be giving the youngsters a run for their money.
The 'Challenge' includes some very specialised training with Mick Butler set to answer some tough questions from up and coming world champs, while experienced international coach Traks Gordon will take the youngsters through a high performance training session.
To find out more about this event and to signup just look at www.pbsc.org.au.
by Anthony Duchatel
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