SAILING
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The Illawarra Yacht Club dominated the Flying Ant national championship held in Melbourne last week.
With four teams in competition at Port Melbourne, the club recorded five wins in nine races and won the national title thanks to the crew of Misguided Missile.
Brothers Lachlan and Mitchel Nardone piloted the vessel and were the stars of the show, overcoming a few minor mishaps to beat two Western Australian teams on their way to four race wins.
"We had the thought of winning but we just wanted a podium finish and we exceeded our goal by coming first," Lachlan said.
"It was a little nervous on the first couple of days and then you get into your groove.
"We had lots of fun; we were winning most of the races. It's fun doing it together as brothers.
Clubmates Patrick Corbett and Kade Morgan, of Rough Diamond, scored a race win of their own and just missed out on a podium spot after they headed into the final event locked in a battle for third.
The crew of Speed Demon, Brad and Aaron Bower, finished second on handicap.
Illawarra Yacht Club Commodore Richard Nardone was ecstatic with the results.
"Personally we went down to achieve a podium finish, so to beat or exceed what we wanted was great," Nardone said.
"From a club perspective, to just miss out on two boats on the podium was unreal but also pretty heartbreaking to only lose by a second to get on that podium.
"Our other boat Adrenaline - they had their moments as well but just unfortunately could get up to speed to be there."
The crews of Misguided Missile and Rough Diamond will now go head-to-head for the final heat of the NSW titles next month.
The pair are level on points in the competition.
"There have been plenty of good sailors come out of the Flying Ant division in past years," Nardone said.