2010 Australian Access Class Championships - AUS

David Staley, Sunday, 17 January 2010 The Australian Access Class Championships have concluded today at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club in Melbourne.  Sailors from 7 States and Territories were joined by a group of 7 kiwis for the four day program.  54 sailors with a disability participated.   The weather was mainly sunny with winds ranging from 5-20 knots, but strong breezes on Saturday afternoon and Sunday limited the number of races that could be completed.   This was the first time the SKUD 18, the two-person Paralympic class, has been included in the event.  The division was won by Duncan MacGregor & Peter MacGregor (QLD) by two points from Ame Barnbrook & Lindsay Mason (NSW).   In the Liberty, serial runner-up Barry Coates (QLD) finally had a breakthrough to win comfortably from Genevieve Wickham (WA) and John Toole (NZL).  Coates has finished second at the 2007 and 2009 Liberty Worlds and the 2009 European Championships.   Mark Durnan (ACT) started with 3 bullets on the first day to claim the Access 303 Australian Championship, two points ahead of Alison Weatherly (VIC).  The 303 Two-Person competition was won by Cadeyrn Gaskin & Gavin Dagley (VIC).   The Access 2.3 Australian Championship went to Charles Weatherly (VIC) ahead of fellow Victorian  Andrew Cook, with Christopher Cook (NSW) in 3rd.  2009 Champion, Angus MacGregor (QLD), lead for the first two days but a DNF in the final race spoiled his bid for back to back trophies.  Craig Escott (TAS) won the Access 2.3 Second Division.   The Servo Electric prize went to Martin Waller (VIC) and the Special Olympics Division was won by Allister Peek (ACT).  The Teams Trophy was won by Victoria. Other Links   National Championship Final Results   Event Summary   Victorian Championship Final Results   Host Club Website   Photos by Alex McKinon

2.3 Start at the 2010 Access Nationals Charles Weatherly (VIC) won the 2.3s at the 2010 Nationals 303 Fleet at the 2010 Nationals Alison Weatherly (VIC), best female at the 2010 Nationals Cadeyrn Gasking & Gavin Dagley, winners of he 303 two-person division at the 2010 Nationals Barry Coates (QLD), winner of the Liberty competition Barry Coates (QLD) enjoys 20 knots on Port Phillip Duncan & Peter MacGregor are the inaugural SKUD 18 Australian Champions SKUD 18s participated in the 2010 Australian Championships Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Access 2.3 Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Access 303 Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Access 303 Two Person Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Best Female, Alison Weatherly Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Liberty Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Servo Champion, Martin Waller (VIC) Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - SKUD 18 Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Special Olympics Winners at the 2010 Australian Championships - Victorian State Team