The top six Australians in the 2018 National championships have all entered in the 2018 J24 World Championships Lake Garda Italy. This is the first time that every boat has taken up the option to represent Australia in the largest J24 regatta ever held in Europe. Boasting 100 entries from 13 countries, it is without doubt that this is going to be a regatta to remember. Despite there being multiple world and national champions from all over the globe, we hope that our entrants will be as good as any of the worlds best.
Our team consists of four boats from Sandringham Yacht Club, Kirsty Harris in Hyperactive, Brendan Lee in By the Lee, Simon Grain in Jet and Hugo Ottaway Bruschetta VI. From Cronulla Sailing Club Steve Wright in Tinto and from Cruising Yacht Club of Sydney Dave West in Ace.
During our off season all of these teams have been practicing most weekends in sometimes harsh 11 degree days and 25+ knots. It is a big logistical exercise to get a crew of 5, equipment and sails halfway across the globe to compete in a Lake in Northern Italy, some boats have made up their crews from within the broader J community to get the best sailors we can provide.
Several of the teams have sailed in past J24 world championships and this will assist greatly in their organisation and understanding of what takes place in a regatta of this size and level.
The racing starts on 26/8/2018 till 31/8/2018 and results and daily updates can be viewed on J24 world championships 2018
http://www.j24worlds2018.it/
Despite the result, the knowledge gained by our six teams will be invaluable and the legacy will filter down through our class and benefit all. We wish all our crews the best of luck and fair sailing.
Thanks to Hugo Ottaway for the article.