We are sailing, we are sailing…

A LARGE contingent of local young sailors from the Illawarra Shire are preparing to challenge the best sailors that New South Wales has to offer in the up-and-coming 2006 Yachting NSW Youth Championships on Lake Illawarra, from Septenber 30 to October 2, 2006.

Yachting NSW has been working closely with club officials and volunteers at the Illawarra Yacht Club, who are all looking forward to the coming weekend and have banded together to ensure that the event runs smoothly and is full of colour and action.

Proudly supported by Coca Cola Amatil Wollongong, the regatta makes a return to Illawarra after a four year absence, as the event works on a four-club rotation including Georges River 16 Skiff Sailing Club, Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, and Gosford Sailing Club.

The Illawarra Yacht Club warmly welcomes sailors, officials, spectators and media to the 2006 Youth Championships, an event thats not only a great racing regatta but also one that is fun for all.

We are very excited to be hosting an event of this calibre. It provides a great opportunity for top class juniors to come along to the one venue and compete against each other, said Illawarra Yacht Club Junior Commodore, Jim Jones.

To-date entries have been received from the Illawarra Yacht Club and Port Kembla Sailing Club, with invitations being sent to all local affiliated sailing clubs throughout the region.

Of particular interest, is the Flying Ant division, a class that shows great strength in the shire, which will be undergoing some a tough training program prior to the Nationals in late December.

Former team mates, locals Dean Souter from Russell Vale and Ryan Lyndsay from Primbee, 2005-6 Flying Ant NSW State Champions, and 3rd place in the 2006 Flying Ant Australian Championship, will be keen to compete against each other, as this season they have taken on new crews to help train and develop the class.

Dean will be still be sailing Misguided Missile with Angus Naylor (12 years), with Ryan with Jonathan Liddle (11 years) taking the helm in his new boat. The youngest Flying Ant local crew member is Amy Middleton from Oak Flats who has recently turned 10 years old.

Also showing great promise are brothers Adam (12 years) and Luke Jones (11 years) from Primbee, who have just joined forces, with Adam skippering On Fire for the first time.

The very impressive RS-X sailboarder Alisha Kawalla from Albion Park who holds a number of accolades including Triple Volvo ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships Australian representative, 2005 NSW Youth Champion, and 2006 Australian Youth Champion, will be out to defend her title. Alisha has just turned 17 and is juggling sailing with studying in Year 11, and has her sights set on the Olympics.

This year will also see the inclusion of NS-14s who will be returning to the event after a long absence, with two boats from Connells Point Sailing Club making the trip down to the Lake Illawarra.

The event attracts young sailors from all over the state with entrants as young as seven years to 18 years, with invitations also extended to other states. At least 100 boat entries have been received to-date from a variety of classes including the Cherub, Optimist, NS14, 4.7, Manly Junior, RS:X, Laser Standard, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, Spiral, Sabot 1-up, Sabot 2-up, 420, 29er, Flying Ant and Flying Eleven.

Entries are still open, but will be subject to a late fee from Thursday 28/09/06, as will beach entries.

Notice of race and entry forms are available from the Yachting NSW web-site at www.yachtingnsw .com.au

The Illawarra Yacht Club is located at 1 Northcliffe Drive, Warrawong.

They can be contacted on 4274 6622, or visit the clubs website at www.yachtie.com.au.

Jim Jones, Illawarra Yacht Club Junior Commodore can be contacted on on 0418 291 375.