Queens Lake Sailing Club plays host to NSW Heron State Titles Camden Haven Sport National News Property/Sports/Opinion - popup ad Sport by News Of The Area - Modern Media - February 9, 2025 Winners are grinners: Maddison Alexander and David Johnson sailing into first place aboard the aptly named ‘Chicken Dinner’. QUEENS Lake Sailing Club hosted the NSW Heron State Sailing Titles from 24-26 January, attracting 30 boats from across NSW and the ACT. Among those competing were six local sailors, including Queens Lake Sailing Club Commodore Dave Castleton, who sailed with crew member Sydney Castleton aboard ‘Seahorse’. Each team engaged in a series of five races throughout the competition, culminating in a score based on their finishing position. The boat which crosses the line in first place is issued with one point, second place receives two points, and so on. At the completion of the five races, each boat’s series score is defined. This score is the total of all five races, excluding each boat’s worst result. The boat with the lowest accumulation of points is declared the winner. Emerging victorious at the State Titles were David Johnson and Maddison Alexander, who steered the aptly named “Chicken Dinner” into first place. The duo’s triumph adds another feather to their cap, following their victories at both the 63rd and 64th Australian National Championships in the Heron Class. Going into the last race David Johnson acknowledged the even competition. “Kylie and Mia are right there,” said Johnson. “They are smashing it out with us, so it is definitely going to be a close one.” Second place was secured by Kylie and Mia Vaiciurgis sailing “Two Flamingos Dancing”, closely followed by Peter and Joel Vaiciurgis aboard the ‘Ugly Duckling’ in third position. “Queens lake is such a unique place to sail,” said Dave Castleton. “The area has some of the best sea breezes and the flattest water on the NSW coast. “However, Friday afternoon dished up a southerly bluster. “A southerly is the most difficult to sail on Queens Lake as the breeze wraps around North Brother Mountain, with gusts cones, charging down the valleys, resulting in plenty of boats capsizing. “The weather conditions changed on Saturday and Sunday allowing our visitors to experience Queens Lake at its best, resulting in some extremely close races.” By Kim AMBROSE Kylie and Mia Vaiciurgis aboard second place finisher ‘Two Flamingos Dancing’. Fletcher Boyd and Craig Wrightson aboard ‘Blue Hula’. Steady as she goes: Ryan Savage and April Savage aboard Aloha. The starting line up.
