Sandy Bay Sailing Club in conjunction with Yachting Tasmania has been named the official host of the OAMPS Australian Youth Championships which will run from 6th – 10th January 2007.

Sandy Bay Sailing Club has been operating for nearly 60 years and is situated just ten minutes from Hobart CBD on the banks of the picturesque Derwent River. The club was the perfect choice to host the up coming event based on its past experience in organising many National Championships as well as its commitment to youth development in sailing. In 2001 the club hosted the Australian Youth Championships and currently offers an impressive junior sailing program in both the Optimist and Cadet classes.

The event is set to attract a large number of big name competitors with the added bonus that the Australian Laser Championships will be held prior at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania from 26th December, 2006 to 4th January, 2007.

The Championship is open to competitors in the following events: Laser 4.7 (Girls and Boys), Laser Radial (Girls and Boys), Laser Full Rig (Boys), 420 (Girls, Boys & Mixed), 29’er (Girls, Boys & Mixed), RS:X (Girls and Boys) and the Hobie 16 (Mixed).

Nick Hutton, President of Yachting Tasmania commented “We are delighted to be hosting one of the biggest national championships this country has ever seen. It is a great opportunity to showcase the superb Sandy Bay Sailing Club as well as increase tourism in Tasmania”.

He went on to say “The event will coincide with Yachting Australia’s National Youth Committee meeting where issues such as youth participation and performance will be discussed”.

The OAMPS Australian Youth Championships will be the selection event for the Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship to be held in Ontario, Canada from 12th – 21st July 2007.

Phil Jones, Yachting Australia CEO said “The OAMPS Australian Youth Championships is a perfect example of how the corporate sector and the sailing community invest in the youth of Australia. It is hoped that the competitors who excel at this event will go on to achieve at international level in our sport. Yachting Australia is proud to provide financial and administrative support for this event and greatly appreciate the generous support from OAMPS Insurance Brokers”.

Entries will be open any competitor under 19 years of age. Entries close on Friday 8th December, 2006.

Lara Watts

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 November 2006 )