Katanning youngster Zavier Potter crowned State sailing champion at O’Pen Skiff Intermediate Division Regatta

Young Katanning sailor Zavier Potter may live more than 150km from the ocean, but that did not stop him from conquering all at the O’Pen Skiff Intermediate Division Regatta to be crowned WA sailing champion. The 13-year-old took out the State title at the championships held at East Fremantle Yacht Club at the weekend. Potter, who has been sailing for only four years, occasionally trains at Lake Ewlyamartup, about 15km east of Katanning or Lake Dumbleyung but relies heavily on regattas to hone his skills. “We occasionally sail at Lake Ewlyamartup and Lake Dumbleyung and I do laps around those and have a lot of fun,” Potter said. “I mostly turn up at regattas and learn that way. “I felt like I had a pretty good chance because I did well in the events leading up to it. “It’s hard sailing against coastal kids who get to train every week when I live out in the (Great Southern).” The two-day championship event attracted young sailors from across WA, challenging them through three disciplines, a marathon event, short courses, and a knock-out slalom format with the final results being determined on aggregate. Potter posted a commanding victory in the marathon event and got a podium finish in five of the eight short-course events. He then dominated his heat and the semifinal in the slalom, before claiming second place in the final. The triumph capped a stellar run in the boat having placed third in the International Classes Regatta at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club earlier this month and won silver at the WA Youth Championships at Mounts Bay Sailing Club back in September. Potter is now eyeing a mini-series of races in February at Royal Perth Yacht Club.