The 2014 Australian Youth Championships were sailed at the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 6th -10th January. Representing Queensland in course racing in the Bic Techno 293 class were Emma Baillie, Jacob Whitford and Lara O'Brien from RQYS.
Windward leeward courses were set for the championship. Five races were sailed in the first two days in 20-25knots SW-E winds and rough seas. The winds abated for the last two days. The windsurfers experienced lighter North Easterly winds for the remaining 5 races.
The strong winds suited the defending Australian champion Jock Calvert from Tasmania. He won 8 of the 10 races. Emma Baillie sailed well in the heavy winds scoring 2nd places in Races 2 and 5. Jacob Whitford had Race 5 in the bag when he missed the final gate near the finish line. Lara O'Brien sailed consistently scoring one 1st place, two 2nd places and six 3rd places.
Lara O'Brien won the girls class and was third overall in the combined boys and girls fleet.