International Cadet Class Tasmanian Championships at Sandy Bay Sailing Club - Preview

International Cadet fleet training off Sandy Bay Sailing Club © Jory Linscott

Impulse (Faye Read and Olive Hooper) © Jory Linscott

This weekend will see the running of the International Cadet Class Tasmanian Championships hosted by the Sandy Bay Sailing Club.

A fleet of 17 International Cadets, a junior class of boat which is sailed by two sailors in ages from 7 to 17 years will take to the River Derwent off Nutgrove Beach for what promises to be some tight racing.

Amongst the Fleet will be Australian Team Representatives SeaYa (Luca Groves & Abi Smith), fresh off a 3rd at the recent World Championships in Williamstown, Victoria & Impulse (Faye Read & Olive Hooper) who will not only be eyeing off a State Title but also using the championships as preparation for the upcoming World Championships to be sailed in Nieuwpoort, Belgium in July this year.

International Cadet Class Australia President, Frazer Read said "He was excited to see 17 boats entered for this weekend Tasmanian Championships. Not only for the crews preparing for the World Championships but to see new sailors joining the class is great to see".

Mr Read puts the recent growth in the local fleet down to the fact that the class has a "real family atmosphere around it and welcomes new sailors with open arms. We also find that many of our sailors enjoy sailing with someone else in a boat and that it provides great opportunities for younger crews to be mentored by older kids"

Sandy Bay Sailing Club Commodore Stuart Hamilton added. "The club is also excited to be hosting the National Championships later this year between 30th December & 4th January with in excess of 40 boats and crews expected. It provides some great motivation for our Tasmanian Sailors to showcase this great club and the beautiful River Derwent."

Commodore Hamilton was also pleased to see that over half the Cadets entered for this weekend's championships where helmed by female sailors. "Sailing is a great leveller, it is a tactical sport more so then a strength game and the girls in our fleet have certainly shown their ability on the water."

The Sandy Bay Sailing Club has a long and proud history with the International Cadet Class with multiple National and World Champions representing the club.

Racing will commence at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday with up to 8 races scheduled to decide who will become the 2023 Tasmanian Champion.