Sail Melbourne is Australia’s premier Olympic and Invited Classes Regatta and, after being cancelled in 2021, was held 13-17 January hosted by both RBYC and RYCV. The young talent of BYS was on show with sailors competing in the 49erFX and Laser classes.
BYS youth sailor and BYS instructor Laura Harding and her crew Annie Wilmot have had an exceptional summer season so far in the Women’s 49er FX. Laura, who is a member of the Australian Sailing Team and the Victorian Institute of Sport, is campaigning to represent Australia in the 49er FX at the Paris Olympics! You can keep up to date with news and support Laura by following hardingwilmotsailing on Instagram.
“It was great to finally get racing again after a long two years of training and border-hopping to be able to stay on the water. My crew Annie Wilmot and I recently competed in Sail Sydney (9-12 December) and Sail Melbourne (13-17 January) and came away with the win at both regattas. You can’t replicate every aspect of a regatta, so it was a great opportunity to get back into racing and we were able to put everything under pressure during these events. We have been training hard, with the push for Paris 2024 well underway. We are excited for everything that is ahead over the next 2.5 years. Currently back in Sydney for our last big training block before we head away for our first Europe trip to Palma and Hyeres at the end of March.” Laura Harding
BYS was also well represented in the Laser class. In the Radials, Hamish Cowell finished in 12th position overall and Lucas James 24th overall among some highly talented sailors including Olympians. Angus McIntyre won the Laser 4.7 class with a very impressive scorecard: 1, 2, 1, (5), 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1. Angus was pushed hard in most heats by local and interstate competitors. Angus is now ranked #1 Victorian Laser 4.7 sailor and Hamish Cowell is ranked #2. This means they both qualify for the Australian team to compete in the 4.7 World Titles to be held in Portugal in August. Both families are now arranging trips to Portugal!
Congratulations to all our BYS sailors on competing (and their success!) at Sail Melbourne.
