58th Arrow and 52nd Mosquito Australian Championships
by Altona Yacht Club 16 Jan 22:50 GMT
5 to 10 January 2025
58th Arrow and 52nd Mosquito Australian Championships 2024/25 © Altona Yacht Club
Last week, from January 5th until January 10th Altona Yacht Club hosted the 58th Arrow and 52nd Mosquito Australian Championships off Altona Beach. Over 45 boats compromising some of Australia’s best sailors contested the Titles.
In the Mosquito Class, sloop division the standout sailors were Hobsons Bay Locals Shannon Wilson and his son Jack on Taboo' (1835) who took out the Mosquito Sloop Division winning all 10 races. The multiple championship winning streak of Shannon Wilson spans over 30 years. Initially Shannon sailed with his father Robert Wilson. It is now a passing of the generational batton as Shannon now has his son Jack (10) as crew.
In the Mosquito Cat Divisions Peter Kiely of south Gippsland yacht Club sailing 'Sixth Element' (1782) had his work cut out for him to eventually win his division as Bendigo Yacht Club’s Robert Lott on 'Grayce' (1836) continued his pressure on the champion.
In the Mosquito Spinnaker division, it was a tightly contested competition with Somers Yacht Club sailor Matt Stone 'The Joker' (1833) and Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club Sailors Neil Joiner 'Sanity' (1830) and Gary Maskiell 'The Bees Knees' (1834). After each of them trading wins across the 10 races Matt Stone claimed the championship in the last.
Mosquito Class President Robert Lott says, “Altona Yacht is renowned for its excellent sailing, friendly down to earth people and superb location in Melbourne. Once again Altona Yacht did not disappoint. Thanks to Commodore Paul Lindemann and the many volunteers that made this regatta a success.”
The Arrow Class was a hotly contested competition between Frank O’Rourke 'Zero' from Port Macquarie Yacht Club and Steve Short 'Slingshot' from Sugarloaf Yacht Club. Tied at the end of 10 races, Steve claimed the championship on count back.
Arrow national President Nick Powell says, “I want to really thank Altona Yacht Club for running the event. It was an excellent regatta with all well fed by the volunteers of Altona Yacht Club.”
Altona Yacht Club Commodore, Paul Lindemann, was proud of the effort the members went to in putting on an exceptional regatta, “It was a great regatta. We had heavy winds, light winds, rain, hot days. I want to thank especially our canteen volunteers, our shore crew helping sailors launch and or powerboat crews on start and rescue boat. We also appreciate the support of Bendigo Community Banks in Altona and Laverton that recently donated a rescue boat to our club which was utilised across the regatta ensuring competitor safety."
If you want to begin or rekindle your sailor journey at Altona Yacht Club, AYC Training Coordinator Peter Robinson says, “If you would like to get back into sailing or learn how to sail, Altona yacht Club will once again provide sailing training each Saturday morning from Feb 1st until April 5th catering for both children and adults” he said. “There is a great environment and community developing at Altona Yacht club with many new faces getting involved in the many facets of what make a great club to be part of."
All results are here.