From 4-7 April 2024, the Club hosted the Zhik Youth Sail Vic Coaching Clinic and Championship. The event welcomed 120 sailors and families from across Australia, with a team of Optimist sailors flying all the way from Qingdao, China. Remarkably, we had 55 SSCBC volunteers involved each day of the regatta, helping to run 5 race courses and 10 fleets of boats. All in all it was an outstanding achievement that reflected the strength of the SSCBC membership and reinforced our Club’s standing in the wider sailing community.
The classes represented included:
Opti Green fleet
Opti Intermediate fleet
Opti Open fleet
Int 29er
ILCA 4
ILCA 6
Sabre
Minnow
Windfoil
420
We also welcomed the Australian Sailing Youth Squad camp who based themselves at the Club, utilising the facilities of The Fort, with three classes represented: 420, ILCA 6 and iQFOiL.
The Zhik Youth Sail Vic Coaching Clinic was held over the first two days, where sailors arrived ready for a 9:30am briefing with their respective coaches. The groups then enjoyed a morning session in solid breeze before all returning to shore for lunch together. The sailors and families certainly enjoyed the hot pasta and snacks available on the deck and Members’ Lounge to refuel, ready for the afternoon session.
One of the highlights of the Coaching Clinic was the Burger night held on the first night, where 190 sailors and family members came together in the SSCBC dining room to enjoy a burger and chips meal, drinks and an inspiring presentation from Amelia Catt about her sailing journey, overcoming injury and adversity, to get to where she is today.
The Championship kicked off on Saturday morning with a strong easterly breeze, keeping the Opti Green fleet ashore. The little ones did however get to join some of the coaches on the ribs and a visit to the seals to get amongst the on water action in a different way.
Sunday saw a more favourable breeze for our Opti Green fleet to get underway, completing their five races. All fleets completed their required races on Sunday in lighter conditions with some outstanding results.
SSCBC had 30 members sailing in the regatta. Standout SSCBC performances were witnessed by the Levenspiel twins, Miles and Henri, who won five out of seven races. Also impressive was Ashlea Tan winning four out of six races in the Opti Intermediate fleet, taking out the Championships by a huge 10 points over a visitor from China in second place.
Congratulations to all SSCBC sailors for taking part, with the following SSCBC sailors making it to the podium:
1st ILCA 6 – Gus McIntyre
2nd ILCA 6 – Riley Cantwell
3rd ILCA 4 – Callum Simmons
2nd female ILCA 4 – Lottie Griffith
3rd female ILCA 4 – Holly Cantwell
1st Int 29er – Miles and Henri Levenspiel
3rd Int 29er – Jorja and Mason Mahoney
1st Opti Green fleet – Charlie McLaren
3rd female Opti Green fleet – Charlotte Mahoney
2nd Opti Intermediate – Fred Cantwell
3rd Opti Intermediate – Tyler Deeth
1st overall Opti Open – Ashlea Tan
2nd female Opti Open – Frances Gibson
3rd male Opti Open – Tate Cantwell
