Geraldton Yacht Club juniors sail away with Pelican State Championship

Geraldton Yacht Club is home to new State champions after success for local skippers at the annual State Pelican Championships. Pelican sailing is the premier training class for junior sailors aged 8-16, with two people to a boat. Held on the Swan River out of East Fremantle Yacht Club from January 8-13, the 65th annual championships featured nine races over four days, with changing weather conditions making for challenging racing. The championship is awarded to the best performances across the nine races while there is also a separate shield for consistency. Geraldton won both with Westside pairing Finn Preston and Charlie Fong taking out the overall championship while Ellie Perry and her crew of Evie Fong in M&Ms won the consistency shield. Preston and Wong won two races and only finished outside of the top three on one occasion in a dominant display. Finn is the third Preston to have his name engraved on the trophy, following in the footsteps of his father Bob in 1984 and brother Jack in 2021. Ellie Perry also won the best first-year and best-placed first-year skipper. There were other awards to be had as Presto sailed by Leong Chan and Conrad Boys came second on consistency, winning the endeavour award, while Vivienne McClaren won the special coaches award. Rear Commodore of Juniors Wayne Boys said the competition was a resounding success for the yacht club. “It’s fair to say all of the teams had outstanding races during the competition and showed constant improvement, which is great to see,” he said. “I am proud of how our GYC sailors conducted themselves both on and off water throughout the regatta; they have done our club proud.” “If anyone has children, grandchildren or friends who have kids thinking of sailing, now is a great time to get them started and become involved. “