Issue date
Hundred and twenty sailors, aged from 8 to more tan 50 years, originating from Wallis and Futuna, Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands or New Caledonia sailed for 4 days, rocked or heckled by the Caledonian trade winds. All were in Noumea to participate in the Oceania Sailing. A very positive result for this competition which crowns the best Oceanian sailors in Optimist, Laser, Hobie 16, Kitesurfing or Elliott 6.
New Zealanders, Australians, Fijians and North Caledonians and South Caledonians shared the medals…
"Good weather, good organization, significant participation from local clubs and sailors coming from 5 islands or countries in the Pacific region: these Oceania are a great success! "Philippe Mazard, the President of the Caledonian Sailing League has the smile. After four days of racing on three different sites, the statement is really positive.
In Optimist
The victory among under 15 boys (12/15 years) goes to the Caledonian, Clément Masson who flew over the series. Marc Belon of the Northern Province won the bronze medal.
In the under 12 boys, Aurel Martin only 9 years climbs on the highest step of the podium. This very young sailor is presented as a phenomenon by all Insider. Of the 22 participants engaged in Optimit Aurel ranks second overall: a real achievement for his very young age. Luke Armstrong, from New Zealand won the bronze in this under 12 category.
In the under 12 girls, victory of Emilia Bouchet. Among under 15 girls, Juliette Bone is going up on the top step of podium.
In Optimist, gold medals are all Caledonian.
In Laser
Two sailors have really marked the competition. In Laser radial (for older and stronger), the Caledonian Mikael Farina – The winner of the "Trophée des Jeunes Marins" in 2013 - had a very good competition, conceding a first defeat after 3 days of race (left photo below). Robert Hazelman, the Fijian won a bronze medal.
In the Girls, Lauren Hautier wins the Gold medal, and Naomi Wagalevu from Fiji, the silver one.
In Laser 4.7, the New Zealander Tom Fyfe has left no chance to other sailors, Mael and Nathan Le Pen could just follow him. On the photo, he received the trophy from Pierre Forest, the Director of Youth and Sports of the government of New Caledonia.
In the girls, the podium is monopolized by young sailors of the Northern Province. Lana Hamon from the “Toiles du Lagoon” win the serie.
In Match Racing
The international level of competition was raised. Four foreign teams, of Australia and New Zealand, made the trip for the occasion. This Grad III competition showed that the level of Caledonians continues to grow. Alan Quéré and his crew won a beautiful bronze medal. The silver medal goes to the kiwi crew of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, led by Georges Brasell. In the final, the RNZYS has lost its three games against the "warriors" of the Crusing Yacht Club of Australia. Sam Ellis and his Australian companions (in photo) won the competition by a Master hand.
En Hobie 16
It was the most indecisive competition these Oceania. Until the last races, three teams have played yo-yo with medals. It is the youth who finally took over the experience. Enguerrand and Cyriac Thomas are dress in gold. A great victory for the crew who finished 9th in the Open and 4th in Junior World Championship of the category run in January earlier this year in Australia. Christophe Renaud (the vice-champion of the discipline in 2007) and Vital Berger rank second. While the pair "father / son" of Louis Charles and Thibaut de Lima Mayer finished in bronze. (picture)
En Kite
Three disciplines were represented. The foil (kite with spoiler that allows the board to fly across water), race or Twin Tips (wider board). And the performance of this long weekend is to be against the former international champion of wind-surfing and kite surfing, the Caledonian Manolo Barlet ( with the micro on the picture). Despite a decade without serious competition, he had dominated the different rounds.
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