Young Guns fire Classic salvo

10:44 AM Thu 13 Oct 2011 GMT

'P3270146 - New Tamar Valley Classic' Peter Haworth Click Here to view large photo

The New Tamar Valley Classic now has the Young Gun as an entry.

Mitchell Knowles age 16, has teamed up with local boys, Jade Young age 16, Michael Nuccitelli age 17, Dmitri Allan age 13, to sail Mitch's Elliot 5.9 Young Gun.

Team Young Gun is by far the youngest team in the history of event, and is quietly favoured in the standings for the multi discipline race.

The New Tamar Valley Classic will be doubly special for Mitch, who celebrates his 17th birthday race day, Saturday October 29th.

Mitch's Elliot 5.9 is a smaller yacht, making the boy aboard multi task positions on the boat. Mitch, Jade , Michael and, Dmitri will together begin the race at Beauty Point, then sail to the Devils elbow, where Jade Young will leave to begin the 13.5km run to Gravelly Beach.

The rest of the team will sail on to Gravelly Beach where Michael Nuccitelli will exchange positions with Jade, so Michael can ride the 28.5 km cycling course.

Team Young Gun, less Michael, will sail on the race finish at the Rosevears Waterfront Tavern.

'These young guys are not to be under estimated' says PDYC Vice Commodore Piers Findlay, 'there is a wealth of raw talent and a surprising amount of race experience.'

Mitchell Knowles has been sailing for three years, while, Michael Nuccitelli is a member of the state sailing development squad. Dmitri Allan, presently holds the King of the Tamar title and is by no mean a stranger to the Tamar Valley Classic, having sailed to a win on his fathers boat in the last Classic.

'The Young Guns are bound to have a lot of fun' says Piers, 'I would not be surprised to see them on the podium, and wouldn't that be the icing on the Birthday cake for Mitch.

The New Tamar Valley Classic Race begins at 9.30am Saturday October 29th, at Beauty Point, Tasmania.

by David Allan