Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct 2024 Dinghy

2020 Australian 29er Nationals at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron - Day 1

by Harry Fisher 5 Jan 2020 04:26 GMT 3-8 January 2020
A strong fleet of 29ers has turned out for this event - 2020 Australian 29er Nationals © Jordan Roberts

Sailors in the 2020 Australian 29er Nationals have had a slower than expected start to their regattas after strong southerly winds forced the race committee to abandon the first day of racing yesterday.

The event was scheduled to have five straight days of sailing without any lay days, which means the race committee will now be working hard to put the event back on track with a solid day of racing today.

The host club, Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, has pulled out all the stops to set up a great event and while the weather gods didn't play the game on the opening day, the forecast for the rest of the event is looking good.

The club's general manager, Amanda Jacobs, said the club was stoked to be hosting such a massive event.

"Our values are 'family, friendship, sailing', and it does what it says - we hope that our participants in these regattas feel that vibe as well," she said.

"This is a significant event, particularly in size as we've got over 60 boats registered, it's been a coordination effort that's involved a lot of parties.

"Everyone's really just pitched in to welcome so many sailors from around the country, plus international, to our little patch of paradise."

The event also gave sailors from around the country a closer look into the effects of the bushfires currently ravaging across eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales, with smoke haze blanketing the event during the registration day.

Amanda said the fires that were effecting the club's close neighbours in Gippsland in eastern Victoria made it "a really emotional time to be holding an event".

"Contributing factors to a regatta that normally wouldn't be on the run sheet are now having to be talked about in the planning stages," she said.

"For us to be down here and hosting a regatta while so many people around the country are struggling is challenging, but there are small things we can do."

She said the club was gathering donations at the event that would help go towards those that had been affected.

With four days of racing now left for the event, sailors are eager to get on the water today and get a few races on the board.

Related Articles

29er EuroCup at Alsóörs overall
The championship concluded with a dominant Hungarian performance Alsóörs hosted the 29er European Cup and National Championship last weekend, an event marked by challenging wind conditions and thrilling finishes. Over the course of three days, 26 teams from five countries competed in nine races on Lake Balaton. Posted on 22 Sep
29er EuroCup at Alsóörs day 2
A refreshing southwesterly breeze at Lake Balaton Today's weather forecast once again proved accurate, bringing a refreshing southwesterly breeze to Lake Balaton. Posted on 20 Sep
29er EuroCup at Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club day 1
The weather matched the forecast perfectly The 29er EuroCup started today, organized by the Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club. Following the ceremonial opening, competitors attended the skippers' meeting where Race Officer Péter Farkas, IRO, introduced the officials and outlined the day's schedule. Posted on 18 Sep
Introducing the Youth Sailing Worlds GBR Team
The countdown to Portugal begins as this year's talented squad is announced Sixteen of the nation's top young sailors have been selected to represent Great Britain at the prestigious Youth Sailing World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, taking place 12-20 December 2025. Posted on 18 Sep
29er European Cup set to begin in Alsóörs
Hosted by the Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club The 29er European Cup and Hungarian Championship will officially start tomorrow, hosted by the Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club. Posted on 17 Sep
The Soak Insure Tide Ride Returns in 2025
Bigger, Faster, and More Exciting Than Ever! Following the roaring success of its comeback in 2024, the Soak Insure Tide Ride will return to Hayling Island Sailing Club in 2025 for two thrilling days of high-octane racing, running Saturday 8th November to Sunday 9th November. Posted on 14 Sep
Meet the fleet: Lucas and Moritz Hamm
Interview with the 2025 European Champions Interview with the 2025 European Champions after they won their first big international title on Lake Garda. Posted on 31 Aug
29er World Sailing Championship Porto concludes
More than 400 young sailors, representing 26 countries, battled intense conditions The vibrant Atlantic coast of Porto hosted a spectacular week of high-stakes sailing as the 29er Porto World Sailing Championship 2025 came to an exhilarating close. Posted on 10 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto overall
Danish–Norwegian team of Nicklas Holt and Philip Forslund crowned champions The 2025 29er World Championship in Porto ended in high suspense — but no further racing. The results from yesterday held firm after light winds kept the fleet ashore until the final possible start time at 4:00 p.m. Posted on 8 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 5
Yet another shift in the competition The penultimate day of the 2025 29er World Championship in Porto brought yet another shift in the competition, as light wind conditions continued to challenge sailors and reshuffle the standings. Posted on 7 Aug