Australian Melges 24s Prepare For 2010 National Championship In Queensland
Melges 24 skippers and crews are in final preparations for the third and largest Melges 24 National Titles to be held in Australia.
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron will host the event in a little over two weeks (3-7 May 2010).
The M24 are firmly established and quickly growing as the one design class of choice in Australia. The Australian class association headed by Heath Townsend as President, Darren Spence as Secretary and members will hold their AGM during the event.
Melges 24’s have travelled the corners of Australia to race.
The fleet is hotting up with defending 2009 Middle Harbour Yacht Club skipper Geoff Masters and his crew eager to hold onto the title.
2008 Champion Heath Townsend sailing Kaito travelled the 4000 kms with his boat, family and crew to compete in the National Sportsboat Championships over Easter as a lead into the Nationals.
Jason Mc Hatton Arriba Arriba and crew also competed and have been in training focusing on crew work, the Nationals will be their second Melges 24 regatta.
Heath Walters has gone from racing on the newest boats in the fleet to the iconic number 19 Matilda. After racing her at the Sportsboat Champs he found the older flexible white mast challenging. Heath will again race with ex J24 Australian champions Rob Brewer and Murray Walters.
International Etchells champs James Mayjor and Cameron Miles will keep the entire fleet on their toes as hot favourites after they hammered the fleet in Geelong and are the Australian Sportsboat Series 2010 Champions.
The Vitesse boys will be challenging the newcomers and will have Ben Roodhouse owner of WA boat Go Dogs Go on board with Queensland locals including Mick Moriarty’s Business Time and Anarchy keen to avenge last years result.
www.melges24association.yachting.org.au
TRACEY.WALTERS - AUSTRALIAN MELGES 24 CLASS ASSOCIATION