National titles earn Michael Compton and Georgia Payne selection to Australian Youth Sailing Team

Published On: 15 January 2020

Michael Compton and Georgia Payne have continued the strong start to 2020 by WAIS sailors to claim the Laser Radial and Nacra 15 titles at the 2020 Australian Youth Sailing Championships in Melbourne.

It was a 1-2 finish for WA in the Laser Radial with Compton taking gold by a single point ahead of Stefan Elliott Shircore, a member of the West Australian Sailing Squad.

Payne along with her NSW Partner Nathan Bryant claimed the Nacra 15 crown on countback. With the points tied after six races Payne and Bryant’s higher win rate saw them earn the title. “We had a good first day with a lot of breeze. We had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the regatta,” said Payne.

In the 29er class Harry Joyner and Jack Joyner were the top WA boat, finishing fourth. One spot further back was Axel Fleet and Kieran Buctin in fifth, a disappointing result for the pair having finished second at open Nationals last week.

Their national titles have seen Michael Compton and Georgia Payne selected in the Australian Youth Sailing Team. “I’m excited to go to Brazil and sail for Australia,” Compton said.