BEACONSFIELD yachtsman Jack Graves is Victoria’s first Optimist National Champion.
Graves, 14, took the title after a 15-race series in Moreton Bay, Queensland, against 117 other entrants from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and France.
After finishing second and first in the first two races, he dropped down the scoreboard in the third to fifth, before finishing strongly in subsequent events.
The win allows Graves to compete in the Optimist World Championship in the Dominican Republic in July.
As he returns to school, he already has his regatta schedule mapped out for the months ahead.
It includes a number of major events and considerable travel.
Graves has his eyes on a two-man 29er or a one-man Laser when he becomes too old for his Optimist.
“My first step is a place in the Victorian Institute of Sport sailing program, to get a complete picture of what it takes to be an elite athlete,” he said.
“I want to be like Tom Slingsby.”
Slingsby is a multiple world champion Laser sailor and International Sailing Federation Sailor of the Year.
More Optimist Sailing News on: http://berwick-leader.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/beaconsfield-wind-in-jacks-sails/