Tim Ryan’s Vamos held on to win the 2023 J/70 Australian National Championships in a thrilling climax to the regatta on Port Phillip Bay.

Vamos, crewed by Rob Greenhalgh, Jess Grimes and Charlie Gundy, took a seven point lead over Sam Haynes’ Celestial into the final day, while Sandringham Yacht Club local Rod Warren’s Joust70 was in the mix, 10 points behind Vamos.

But heading into the final race, the national title was still on the line after Joust70 won three consecutive races to close the gap to Vamos, which finished third, seventh and fourth in races 13-15.

Celestial, sailed by Sam Haynes, David Chapman, Jack Macartney and Locky Pryor, closed out the regatta with victory in the final race, edging out Joust70 as Vamos finished fourth.

With Vamos and Joust70 level on 30 points at the end of the four days of racing, Vamos was declared champion on countback, with seven wins amongst 11 podium finishes from the 16 races.  Celestial was third overall, just five points off top spot.

"It was the most competitive J70 event I've been involved with in Australia.  The regatta winner wasn't decided until the last downwind leg of the 16 race program’ said Vamos skipper Tim Ryan.  “It could have gone either way today with Joust and Celestial pushing us all the way throughout the championship, and particularly on the last day.   We were fortunate in the end to have the finishing order in the last race work in our favour .”

Second overall was Rod Warren’s Joust70 with his team Aaron Cole, Aaron Linton, Kalen Linton and Paul Mitchell onboard.  Warren credits the overall result to his crew “We did well as long as I did what I was told.  We had a great tactician, Aaron Linton a cane farmer from home hill near Townsville.  Worlds fastest cane farmer.”  Also onboard Joust was 12 year old Kalen Linten.  “He won the sabot two handed nationals and told us he had never lost a nationals before this event! No pressure”.  Warren also commented “Tim was a worthy winner.  We had a great time sailing with good friends.

Overall Corinthian winner was Sandringham Yacht Club’s team on Madness with Brendan Lee, Adam Keyes-Tilley, Daniel Abbas and Murray McDonald.  Jabiru with Karyn Gojnich, Sara Ladd, Jonathan McCray, Gemma Burns were 5 points behind.  Third Corinthian was the Youth team from Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron sailing Tony Landgren’s Skyhook with Ethan O'Brien, Hamish Bolton, Hannah Danks and Edward Warner.

Sandringham Yacht Club put on a fabulous regatta with a variety of conditions on Port Phillip Bay providing a true test of sailing.  Day 1 racing was in a strong south easterly breeze starting the day over 20 knots and backing off to 15 knots later in the afternoon.  The 1-1.5 meter waves were really challenging and saw a few boats wiping out after rounding the top mark.

Day 2 was close to a perfect day on Port Phillip Bay.  A building sea breeze, and clear blue skies.  As the racing progressed through to the final day the crews all improved and the time from the first boat finishing to the last boat compressed considerably.

The PHS overall winner was new to the J/70 class Fraser Welch onboard The Jackal with crew Rodney Allen, Madeleine Linton and Andrew Wilson.  Second was Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s Jabberwocky with Andrew Tompson, Alexia Biggs, Richard Allen and Robert Brewer.  In third place was Jumpin Jack Flash with Martin Kudnig, Robert Evans, Mark Hughes and Angus Mckechnie.

A huge thanks to the Sandringham Yacht Club volunteers and sailing office staff for an extremely well run regatta but also for making the J/70 fleet feel so welcome.  At the regatta presentation Commodore Sue Bowes announced that SYC had ordered two J/70’s and plan to build up to six J/70’s to support their Sailing Academy activities and youth sailing vision.

The event was proudly supported by Ocean South, one of the largest Designers & Manufacturers of boating accessories in the Marine Leisure Industry.  Fraser Welch from SYC was the winner of the new J/70 top cover provided by Ocean South.

Wet Tech Rigging is also supporting the J/70 class and provided a set of custom continuous spinnaker sheets as well as vouchers.  These were won by Juno, Jabiru, YKnot and Madness.  Wet Tech Rigging is based in Australia and can help with running rigging solutions, splicing, cordage and hardware at great prices.

Huge thanks also to Victorian J/70 sailors Rod Warren, Brendan Lee and Adam Keyes-Tilley for their organisation behind the scenes to help make the 2023 Victorian State Championships and Australian National Championships a combined great event with 28 races in total over 10 days.

Results

Photo credit :Chris Furey

2023 Australian National Championships Photo Gallery