Another first for James Hodgson and the MYC

For the first time the Coast will be represented in the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta in Perth which boasts four skippers ranked in the top 10 in the world. 

Mooloolaba Yacht Club’s James Hodgson will be up against 11 top-notch teams: four from New Zealand, one from Sweden and the rest Australian. 

The top age for the skippers has also been opened up to 25 years old, allowing for more experienced skippers to compete in the Grade 2 event.  

Hodgson, 17, holds an open world ranking of 93 and is the fourth Australian youth skipper on that list. 

He still had to apply to be accepted to the five-day regatta which will be held on the Swan River on Foundation 36 foot yachts.  

His results from 2016 were first in the Australian Schools Match Racing Championship in Hobart, third in the Sharp Australian Youth Match Racing Championship and seventh in the Musto Youth Match Racing Regatta in Sydney, and first in the Queensland Match Racing Championship in Mooloolaba.  

Hodgson’s crew members are drawn from Sydney and Perth youth programs due to his previous Coast-based team members being back at school and university or at work.  

Laser Radial youth world champion Conor Nicholas and Lachy Gilham from South of Perth Yacht Club, and Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s youth program members Sam Ellis and Tom Grimes have joined Hodgson. All them are experienced in match racing.  

The other first for Hodgson will be racing on a 36 foot. The biggest he has raced is an Elliott 7m. 

“The transition to this boat is going to be a real challenge for me, but I am looking forward to it,” he said.  

“There will be a physical and mental challenges. I have to get my head around how everything works on the boats.” 

Hodgson’s long term goal is to move to Sydney to join the CYCA youth program as he makes a determined move towards of the top of his game and pursuit of acceptance to the World Match Racing Tour.  

“Every event I go to gives me more experience.,” Hodgson said.  

“This is a high-grade event, but even if the results don’t come, it will still be good to experience some top-level match racing against some of the best match racers in the world.”  

Racing starts on Monday. To follow his results, go http://www.warrenjonesregatta.org.au.