The Sabots are coming for their own 'Showdown'.

6:31 AM Thu 29 Oct 2009 GMT

'down wind - Tasmanina selection regatta Wynyard' Richard Scarr

For the first time in many seasons the Tasmanian Sabot State team's positions are a very tight. With only 12 spots available there are 18 boats gunning for those positions.

After a big winter of training the mid-fleet sailors are now pushing the front end sailors. Each weekend at club level, racing is extremely close. So close, that Sabots can be seen training in the mornings and afternoons on the Derwent. Yesterday someone onshore was counting how many tacks these kids were doing and it added up to 100 on 1 beat. Coached by Richard Scarr who can be heard to say 'lets go do a 100' there is no surprise that they actually do go out and do a 100.

The Tasmanian Sabot Sailing Association (TSSA) has timed its Southern Regatta to coincide with The Showdown 2009. As the last event in their four event qualification series for the 2009 State National team, this regatta will determine the final team that will go to Gosford, NSW, to represent Tasmania at the end of the year.

www.theshowdown.com.au/home
www.dinghygroup.org.au/home

At the recent Northern Regatta hosted by the Tamar Yacht Club, 27 boats made the journey to the North of the State and we expect to have somewhere between this number of boats and the 50 boats that contested the last State Championships (hosted by Dinghy Group), descending on The Showdown.

concentration! - Tasmanina selection regatta Wynyard - Richard Scarr

Representatives from DSS, RYCT, PDYC, TYC, WYC and KBSC will be competing, with early contenders for the Sabot division being current State team leader Dylan Gore (KBSC) sailing his new Van Munster boat Red Herring, with RYCT's Aleksander Price, the current State champion, and KBSC's Robbie Hunt likely to push him all the way. However, with so many talented young sailors competing, a few surprises are expected.

In addition to the senior Sabot fleet, the TSSA's development squad will be sailing on a slightly shortened course with coaching available as required.

Given the importance of this event on the outcome of the State team, the Showdown organising committee has agreed to provide a third course for the Sabots so that interference from other classes will not be a deciding factor. In addition to the excellent and competitive racing, the Sabot sailors will be enjoying the extensive social program that has been put together that includes bouncy castles, a mechanical surfboard, Wii consoles and pie eating contests. Full details of the social program are available on The Showdown website.

We look forward to welcoming the Sabots from all over the State and having them part of this fantastic weekend.