News

Windy and Wild Conditions Took Over the 2025 Zhik Youth Sail TAS

Published Tue 14 Oct 2025

Four days of relentless NW winds and very cold conditions made the 2025 Zhik TAS YouthSail event one that we will never forget. However, with numerous Plan B activities arranged for the 80 sailors, the participants had a ball onshore instead of on the water.

Olympic sailor Olivia Price was one of the guest speakers and provided inspirational and honest stories about her sailing journey. “When you decide to stop learning, you stop progressing and achieving” is one of her quotes that stuck with the young sailors.

The Coaching Clinic included nutritionist Gaye Rutherford who works with the TIS athletes and spoke of the importance of fueling your body. “The more colour on your plate the better – and that’s not food colouring but different varieties of food.”

We heard from offshore sailor Megan Grant about her extraordinary sail from Melbourne to Osaka and the highs and lows of long passages and lack of sleep. She is a strong, determined young person who inspired the group with her tales on the high seas.

Visiting Sailing Coach and Sail Maker, Tony Bull, shared his knowledge about sails and how they work and why they work. With a boat rigged up inside, he explained the more technical aspects of what makes a sail work well.

With 12 coaches and 80 sailors, there was a full house at Sandy Bay Sailing Clubcreating a real sense of community. Thank you to Senior Sailing Coach Amelia Catt for her support and guidance with the Coaching Clinic.

The Championship began with more strong winds and cold weather and unfortunately,there were only two races on Sunday before another front came through. With unpredictable winds and very low temperatures, the sailing was canceled, and it was time to sail back to shore and warm up.

Thank you to our visiting sailors from King Island Boat Club and South Australia who made the extra effort to come to Tasmania. Thank you also to SBSC, Race Officers, our Jury and all volunteers.

Looking forward to seeing our young sailors back next year at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania for the 2026 ZhikYouth Sail TAS from 15-18 October.Let’s hope we get to have four days of beautiful sailing conditions!