Battles on the Bay as Sail Melbourne delivers epic racing
by Australian Sailing 2 Dec 16:29 NZDT
28 November - 1 December 2024
The 2024 edition of Sail Melbourne delivered on every front, combining fierce competition and testing conditions. Held on the unpredictable waters of Port Phillip, the event showcased why it remains a premier testing ground for Australian and international sailors.
In the ILCA7, it came down to the wire as Ethan McAullay claimed victory in a thrilling showdown against Zac Littlewood with the dutch Olympian Duko Bos pushing the pair all week. Across a week of changing conditions, McAullay stayed composed, delivering a consistent performance under pressure, "It really close racing (with Zac), Duko was also in there as well, so it was just a great week, good fight and that's exactly why we train here and race," McAullay reflected.
The ILCA6 fleet delivered its own tight finish, with Western Australia's Zoe Thomson narrowly edging out Queenslander Mara Stransky for the Sail Melbourne win. Thomson who enjoyed in the varied conditions after a break following the Paris Olympics said, "It was a really cool week, pretty much every single condition possible, it was pretty physical and the race committee did a really good job. We had worlds-length races which when you're first getting back in the boat it's pretty tough, but it was a great week."
In the iQFoil class, the high-speed action didn't disappoint. Grae Morris sailed with precision, clinching the overall win and securing the Australian National Championship title. Morris, who won a silver medal at Paris 2024, emphasised why Melbourne is a must-stop regatta and encouraged others to join.
"You get every condition, you get all the experience, you get a bunch of people on the race course, and you get to make new friends. There are no faults in Sail Melbourne, and I come every year for that reason. I'll keep coming and hope to see everyone here every year," Morris said.
Australian Sailing Team Technical Director Michael Blackburn commented on the level of competition, "It was fantastic to witness athletes in ILCAs, iQFoils, and 470s in action in the first of the multiclass summer regattas. It's encouraging that a number of athletes have done some hard work over the winter and continue to develop, putting upward pressure on our national squads. I look forward to seeing them consolidate learnings from this regatta at Sail Sydney, Sail Brisbane, and Nationals."
Sail Melbourne, run out of Royal Brighton Yacht Club, offers a platform for sailors to test their skills in the diverse and challenging conditions of Port Phillip. From shifty northerlies to strong winds and light seabreezes, the event delivered top-tier racing for both Olympic and invited classes.
The next stop is Sail Sydney, with racing set to take place from Friday, 6th December, through to 9th December.
Full results for Sail Melbourne can be found here.