Mar 12, 2024

After 3 days of racing on Austin Lake in South Yunderup, 31 DF65 radio yachts completed their series and crowned a new National Champion. Included in the lineup was a total of 12 interstate competitors, with the rest coming from all DF class Clubs throughout Western Australia.

Friday was the most challenging day of all with winds reaching up to 25 knots and testing the skills and mettle of everyone. For the first two days it was a real test of skills between Mike Jefferys from Springfield Lakes in Queensland and Nick Jerwood from Wanderers/Austin Lakes, with only a couple of points separating them at the end of day 2. The two of them continued their battle into the third day until Nick got a couple of breaks in trying conditions.

The fast finishing Daniel Bergan from Paradise Radio Yacht Club started to move up the leader board with a good day on the water on Sunday, but unfortunately had left his run just a little bit late. It was a great and close 3 days of DF65 sailing with great skills on show, a highly competitive field and as expected in the class, wonderful camaraderie.

The results for the DF65 Australia 2024  National Championships, organised by Austin Lakes Radio Sailing were:

National Champions

1st          Nick Jerwood – Wanderers/Austin Lakes Radio Sailing - WA

2nd         Mike Jefferys – Springfield Lakes Radio Sailing Club – QLD

3rd          Daniel Bergan – Paradise Radio Yacht Club  - QLD

Champion Lady

Nia Jerwood – Wanderers Radio Sailing Club WA

Grand Master Champion

Ian Sherriff – Champion Lakes/Austin Lakes Radio Sailing – WA

Masters Champion

Peter Buchanan – Harrington Waters Radio Sailing – WA

We move on now to the bigger DF95 Class starting on Monday. We thought there was some fast and furious racing in the DF65’s but there’s even more ahead for the next three day with the high flying DF95’s if the weather conditions hold up