Allianz Championship for 29er and Optimist - Overall
by Laurence Bouchet 21 Oct 2018 12:34 BST
18-21 October 2018
Day 3 - Allianz Championship for 29er and Optimist © Marine Reveilhac
Ashlee Daunt and Tom Needham have won the 29er championship, followed by Luke Rogers and Matthew Rogers and in third place. The first Caledonian tsailors were Emilie Bouchet and Robin Chantrelle.
At the start of this fourth day, though the first two places were assured, it was not the same for the rest of the fleet where the stakes on these final races were high.
During this championship the Australian team of Asnlee Daunt and Tom Needham have dominated the championship. They won all their races except two! In second place, the other Australian team led by the two Rogers brothers finished second. They rarely left their second place during the 16 races run!
The third place was more tricky. Emilie Bouchet & Robin Chantrelle or Corentin Goulon & Valentin Akaliteoa had the chance to take this place until the end.
Championship review
16 races were run over the four days of the championship. All wind conditions have been experienced. From light airs to stronger winds, from sunshine to grey skies without rain!
The short and medium-term objectives
Two new Caledonian crews will participate in Sail Sydney from 9 to 11 December, and then in the Australian Youth Championship (under 18 years old), and the 29er Australian Open Championship in Tasmania from 2 to 11 January.
The 2019 NC Championship in 29er is already scheduled, from 17 to 20 October 2019. Foreign sailors are of course welcomed!
Optimist Series
Aurel Martin wins the Open championship, followed by Australian Angus Wheatley and New Zealand's Kensington Rowan.
Within the 34 young sailors, the competition between Australia, New Zealand and Caledonians is hard, the international competitor's level is very high, with only a few locals in the first spots.
In the green fleet (beginners)
There was a good atmosphere and a nice fight for these eleven teens who were running their first races. They are between eight and eleven and are already sailing as champions! The Caledonian Martin Bouchet felt good in medium winds and dominated the Australian Callum Simmons.
Review of Championship
The Allianz championship happened in a friendly atmosphere, we were lucky with the weather conditions during these four days (not easy to forecast).