Zhik Combined High Schools Sailing Championships at Belmont 16ft Sailing Club - Day 1
by Rod Carter 12 Apr 2023 02:25 NZST
2023 Zhik Combined High Schools Sailing Championships, day 1 © Redhotshotz - Chris Munro
If the opening day is any indication, the iconic Zhik Combined High Schools (CHS) Sailing Championships is set to be an absolute cracking event.
Belmont 16ft Sailing Club is hosting the event which sees students from across NSW and QLD compete to win the overall crown of the Australian School Champion. The strong fleet of 68 boats boast many current State and National champions and sailors can expect the racing to be tight on top of the leader board. With a good forecast expected for the week, sailors will see a mix of light-moderate to fresh conditions.
Race 1 saw the fleet start in a shifty SW breeze ranging from 6-10knots. This meant the multihulls and skiffs could not gap the fleet far enough to feature on the podium. Levi Harrison (Barrenjoey HS) who is currently in training for an oversea competition sailing his Opti managed to secure first place on corrected time. Second and third places saw Jonah Griffths (Barrenjoey HS) and Brodie Cooley (Ashcroft HS) each sailing Open Skiffs filling in the minor placings.
Race organisers persisted with getting Race 2 under way in what was the most consistent breeze of the day. A steady 10-12knot SE filled the course area and racing got under way. The conditions favoured the skiffs and multihulls which saw them feature heavily in the top 10. First place went to Marshall Day (Macquarie College) sailing his Cherub 'Buckle up Buttercup'. Marshall is the current Flying 11 National and State Champion who is moving into the Cherub class next season and early signs indicate his transition into the class is looking promising. Second place saw Christian Spencer's (Newcastle Grammar) sailing his 29er and Kye Rivers (Central Coast Grammar) and his crew sailing a 16ft skiff in third.
Day two of the event will be the day for either making or breaking the regatta for many boats. With only 14 points separating the top 10 boats it will be a day with plenty to play for and to lock in some consistent results.