Yachting Australia

RSYS lining up for 146th season of sailing

With entries flowing into the Sailing Office, 2007-2008 is shaping up as another magnificent season, providing outstanding competition for yachts that range from the evergreen Hood 23s and Dragons through to the biggest fleet of Etchells one-design keelboats racing weekly in the country, if not the world.

The Squadron’s sailing programme now extends far beyond the traditional Saturday afternoon club racing, catering for changing trends among sailing members and their crews.

The Squadron’s high standard of race management and excellent race courses continues to attract a growing number of yachts from other clubs, who are always welcome to sail with the RSYS.

This season the Squadron will conduct mini-regattas for International Etchells, Yngling, Dragon and J24 one-design classes through the summer, there will be a new twilight regatta for Sydney 38s and Sydney 32s in November, the Gold Cup series for International Dragons through the season, and National championships for the International Farr 40 and Mumm 30 classes in February 2009.

For the more social side of sailing, there will be two evenings each week for Twilight sailing – the first Friday Twilight race will be on 2 November while the first Ladies Tuesday Twilight race be on 13 November.

Harbour racing for 2007-2008 will start with the first two Saturdays of club racing for all divisions and classes on 1 and 8 September, with the Sailing Office confident that APEC activities will not extend to the Harbour on those days.

Assistant Sailing Manager Margaret Carney is pleased with the early response from owners, particularly in the Etchells class. "We have 23 boats on the list already…and that’s very good with more than a week still to go to the first race," she said today. "I expect we will end up with a fleet of 32 or 33 Etchells."

Among the entries so far is Sun Tzu, skippered by Roger Hickman, who recently was nominated to become a member of the Squadron. Hickman is well known as an ocean racing yachtsman, having skippered two Sydney Hobart overall winners, but decided he also enjoys the boat-for-boat competition of big fleet Etchells racing

Moving up from the Ynglings to the Etchells this season is Graham Ross-Smith with Squid, while other new boats will be Michael Stovin-Bradford’s boat, Touch Pause & Engage, and Ben Lehmann’s The Front Row.

In the Ynglings, Pat and Joyce Warne will be lining up for yet another season, the second with their new boat Holly.

Commodore Bill Wood heads a strong line-up in Division 1 with his Beneteau 40.7 Kookaburra III, while former Commodore Bruce Dickson is also competing with Norske.

The fleet will be boosted with the inclusion of up to six Mumm 30s, always fast and spectacular. Apart from competing under handicap against other Division boats, the Mumm 30s will be racing for their own one-design trophy series.

Among the first Mumm 30s entered were RSYS member Guy Stening’s Optimumm and Dennis Thomas’ Awarua from the CYCA.

Biggest mixed fleet division so far is Division 3. Among the new boats this year will Squadron member Paul Harris with his Beneteau 27.7 Holy Gale, who will join a fleet that includes past Commodore Jim Dunstan with his Sydney Hobart Race winner Zeus II, retired from the ocean but still competitive inshore.

The strong fleet that enjoyed close competition in Division 5 last year has been moved to Division 4 this season, comprising a cross-section of smaller cruiser/racers, including Hood 23s, Folkboats and a Bonbridge 27.

The Squadron’s Offshore division is also on the increase this season, competing in a range of short ocean races, starting with Sydney Amateur Sailing Clubs’ race to Lion Island and return on Saturday, 8 September.

Max Prentice has entered his Beneteau 40.7 Ticket of Leave, while Andrew Wenham has extensively refurbished the wellknown former ocean racer Inch by Winch, a Peterson 44, to race with the Squadron Offshore division. Inch by Winch contested ten Hobart races between 1980 and 1991 as well as many other long ocean races.

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	RSYS

New Commodore for Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

Alastair Douglas RYCT Commodore

His election is the culmination of more than 25 years of active participation in sailing and volunteer support for yachting for which he has been honoured with an OAM (Order of Australia Medal).

Alastair replaces Marion Cooper who has served the past three years as the first woman Commodore of the RYCT, in fact, the first woman to achieve that flag rank at any “Royal” club in Australia.  As Immediate Past Commodore, Marion continues on the Board of the RYCT and as chairperson of its mariner development committee.

RYCT members have also elected David Weir as Vice Commodore and Clive Simpson as Rear Commodore.

Although he has previously served as a committee member and flag officer of the RYCT, Alastair Douglas is probably best known as the current Chairman and Race Director of the Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race, an event he has been closely associated with since its inception in 1989.

In 1988, because of his enthusiasm for short-handed sailing and knowledge and expertise in yacht safety, Alastair was invited to join the small working group to devise and conduct the now world famous short-handed sailing and endurance mountain running race.

He plans to continue as Race Director, a position he has held for the past 15 years (since 1993), with the Three Peaks next Easter being the 20th annual event.

Alastair commenced his serious sailing career at a much later age than many yachties of today when, in his early twenties (the late 1960s), he and his wife purchased a 22-foot keel yacht for day sailing on the Derwent River.

He soon progressed to crewing in an offshore class participating in longer coastal races in southern Tasmanian waters.  Since those early years he has completed a number of major trips such as sailing a lively 40-foot catamaran with one other person as crew from Sydney to the Tamar River in the fast sailing time of 2 days and 5 hours.

Alastair has crewed in monohull races and multihull races in Victoria and New South Wales, has completed two full circumnavigations of Tasmania and has raced in the 1997 and the now infamous 1998 Sydney  Hobart Yacht Race. 

In January 1998 he also raced in the Tall Ships Race from Sydney to Hobart with the yacht finishing in second place overall, the smallest yacht to complete the race that experienced gale force south-westerly conditions that existed for the majority of the trip.

Alastair has had a long involvement with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, being invited to join the Board of Management in 1995 to fill a casual vacancy.  Since then he has been elected a past Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore, serving eight years on the Board.

Much of his contribution to yacht management has been related to safety.  He is an accredited yacht safety auditor with more than 25 years experience, the principal of the RYCT Marine College, a Yachting Australia Yachtmaster and accredited instructor, an instructor in Survival and Sea Safety and Marine Radio and a former editor of the quarterly magazine, the Tasmanian Yachtsman.

Over the past few years, Alastair has also played a significant role in the operation of Tascoast Radio, a volunteer-manned radio service for yachts and fishing craft operating around the Tasmanian coast and into the South Pacific and Indian Oceans that broadcasts from the RYCT.  He was the driving force in the commissioning of the Mt Murray remote HF radio site near Triabunna in 2001, which greatly expanded the coverage by Tascoast Radio, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Outside of his yachting interests, Alastair worked for the Australian Taxation Office for 32 years, has been a commercial beekeeper and currently works as a computer consultant.

Last year Alastair Douglas was appointed President of Yachting Tasmania and awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to yachting.

Sail The World On 1-2 September

ISAF 100 years of sailing

ISAF has already received a fantastic response from MNAs, Classes, event organizers and yacht clubs around the world - from the USA and Australia to Tanzania and the Philippines, sailors all over the world are getting involved – go to www.sailing.org/sailtheworld to make sure your club/event is registered.

The ‘Sail the World’ weekend is set to be one of the highlights of ISAF Centenary celebrations and a perfect opportunity to promote sailing. The aim is simple: get out on the water and get sailing!

If you would like more information please download the information pack from www.sailing.org/sailtheworld

Included in the pack are details of the ‘Sail the World’ logo and how it can be adapted for every event taking place on 1-2 September. ISAF will also be honouring every participant in ‘Sail the World’, and the pack has more details about the different certificates and awards available.

‘Sail the World’ is open to everyone around the world. Every participant counts – just do not forget to tell us about your weekend. Email sailtheworld@isaf.co.uk and look at the ‘Sail the World’ microsite www.sailing.org/sailtheworld to find out all the latest about what is going on.

‘Sail the World’ weekend – 1-2 September 2007 – let’s go sailing!

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	ISAF Website
	Event Website

Sydney International Regatta – NoR online now!

Organised by Yachting NSW and held on Sydney Harbour annually, SIR is expected to attract a record entry from Australia-wide and internationally, particularly as it will encompass the Olympic classes competing at one of their final events before teams head off to the Beijing Olympic Sailing Competition in Qingdao, China.

The ISAF Grade 1 Olympic classes; RS:X Men’s and Women’s, Finn, Laser, Laser Radial Women’s, 49er, 470 Men’s and Women’s, Tornado and Yngling classes, along with Laser Radial Men’s, Laser 4.7, 29er, 420 and 29erXX (a possible Olympic class for Women in 2012), will again be hosted by Woollahra Sailing Club.

Open to all skiff, dinghy and keelboats, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and Woollahra Sailing Club will play host to these classes.

The format for SIR is fleet racing and already there has been a rush of enquiries from Australia and overseas.

Prominent entries in the Olympic classes will include Australian Sailing Team members and medallists from the recent Qingdao Test Event; West Australian girls Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson, gold medal winners in the Women’s 470, World Ranked No. 1 and three-time world champion Olympians Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (NSW), 470 Men’s gold medallists, Tornado silver medallists and World Ranked No. 1 Darren Bundock (NSW) and Glenn Ashby (Vic) and two-time Olympian Jessica Crisp (NSW) bronze medallist in the RS:X Women’s.

Other high-profile Australian entries will include World Ranked No. 1 Tom Slingsby (NSW) the current Laser world champion who missed a medal by one point in China.  He is set for another clash with former world champion and Sydney Olympic bronze medallist Michael Blackburn (NSW).

SIR will be an outstanding event for a number of reasons.  Many Olympic teams will have been decided by December, including the Australian Team, which will be announced in October, so spectators will be treated to a sight reminiscent of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, as most of the world’s top entries will be competing at one of their final ISAF Grade 1 events prior to departing for China next August.

Expect to see Olympians and World Ranked No. 2 Fernando Echavarri/Anton Paz Blanco (ESP) and 1998 ISAF World Sailor of the Year and Olympian Carolijn Brouwer with her Olympic medallist crew Sebastien Godefroid (BEL) in the Tornado class, World Ranked No. 2 Paul Goodison (GBR) in the Laser and World Ranked No. 2, Ingrid Petitjean/Nadege Douroux (FRA) in the Women’s 470.   

All entries, together with the entry fee must, by the closing date for entries, sign a Code of Conduct and Parental Consent form (where relevant) when filling in the official entry form. The closing date for entries and the entry fees are specified in the Event Schedule table of the NoR.

The Regatta will be governed by the current rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing, (RRS) the prescriptions and special regulations of Yachting Australia, the class rules of the respective classes, RRS Appendix B Sailboard Racing Rules for the Neil Pryde RS:X class, except as any of these are altered by the Sailing Instructions.

Newly appointed Yachting NSW CEO, Adrian Steer, commented: “I’m very excited about seeing my first Sydney International Regatta.  Being one of the final Grade 1 events before the Olympics, it will be great for me to witness record numbers and the high-calibre entries we expect to attend.”  

The SIR regatta will be classified as a Category C Event in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20, and helpful information, including accommodation, transport, taxi services and nautical services including ship chandleries can be found on the NSW Yachting website.

For all information on SIR, including the NoR go to: http://www.nsw.yachting.org.au/ or www.sailsydney.org.au or phone Yachting NSW on (612) 8116 9800 or email: nsw@yachting.org.au

Other Links
	SIR's Website
	Yachting NSW

Australia's Team Acuity have reason to celebrate

Team Acuity

The upgrade comes on the back of a silver medal performance in the Women's Match Racing World Championships in St-Quay Portrieux,   France earlier this month and a 4th place in the Grade 1 Lysekil Women's Match Race in Sweden the preceding week. This is the highest the Team has ever reached in the rankings, with their sights now set on Number 1.

Whilst the girls raced in Sweden, their coach Traks Gordon attended the NSW Yachting Awards in Sydney, accepting the "2007 Team of the Year" award on behalf of Team Acuity's Katie Spithill, Nina Curtis, Jessica Eastwell, Kristen Short, Elizabeth Walsh, Angela Farrell, Stacey Jackson & Alessandra Angelini (ITA)

Both their recent events were sailed in yachts unfamiliar to the Australians, the DS37 yachts with 6 crew in Sweden and Beneteau First Class 8's in France, where after 5 long days of racing Team Acuity went down 2-1 in a fading breeze and shortened Grand Final to home port sailor and world number 1's Claire Leroy (FRA). With the World Title evading them by just a few boat lengths.

Team Acuity depart tomorrow for Trentino, Italy, to compete in the Grade 1 Trentino Women's Match sailed in J22's.

From there the team reunites back at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club to prepare for both the Australian Women's & Australian Open Match Racing Nationals in September, then leading to the 2008 ISAF Women's Match Racing Worlds to be held in April in Auckland, New Zealand.

Viva La Vita wins Audi A4 Avant

The Viva La Vita crew with Audi A4 Avant - Audi's Joerg Hofmann is on right

Bates was the lucky recipient after being declared winner of the Cruising Division 2 following the final race yesterday, and winning the Audi Drive Challenge held earlier in the week for all competing yachts at the Hamilton Island Airport.

While each entry at Race Week had the opportunity to contest the Audi Drive Challenge, only the winners of each division were eligible to win the A4 Avant.

On announcing the winner, Mr Hofmann said: “rather than focus on speed, competitors had to drive accurately and consistently during two time trials.” 

Mr Hofmann continued: “I am very pleased to announce this particular winner.  I was at the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta in March and he told me he did not drive his car to the final day of that event because he was convinced he was going to win a car!”

Bates and his crew from Middle Harbour Yacht Club were thrilled with the major prize. On accepting the keys to his new car, Bates said: “Three of my crew are already driving Audis, so you can see that Audi’s sponsorship of sailing has already had an influence.

“I’m delighted to win the A4 Avant.  I’m thrilled.  I’d like to thank everyone for a great Race Week; Audi, the Oatley family and all the competitors.  It’s been a fantastic regatta.”   

Other awards were handed out last evening.  The 10-year award, open to yachts that had contested a minimum 10 Race Week’s went to Mike Davies (Sandstone), while Best Northern Queensland Boat went to Scaramouche (Graham Smith). 

The Prix d’ elegance special commendation went to Holy Cow (John and Kim Clinton) and You’re Hired (Geoff Morgan and Andrew Banks) won the Prix d’ elegance Trophy.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week overall winner, Geoff Ross (Yendys), also won the Boat of the Week award.  Speaking of both wins, Ross, from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney, said:  “This is a great regatta and I have a great bunch of dedicated guys who work terribly hard to get the results we do – my crew.

Last night’s prizegiving ceremony, hosted by celebrity comedian, Vince Sorrenti, signalled the end of a 219 entry record breaking Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

Island owner, Bob Oatley, told competitors:  “What a week we’ve had.  Congratulations to Joerg Hofmann and his Audi team; what a job they’ve done.  Their contribution at Hamilton Island has been great; they’ve put new life into yachting.  Audi and sailing are very compatible and it’s been great to see so many Audis on the Island.”

Mr. Oatley went on to thank supporting sponsors, UBS and Club Marine.  He also thanked Hamilton Island staff for the effort they had put in to making the week a success.

Commodore of the Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club on Hamilton Island and Olympic campaigner for the Australian  Sailing Team (of which Audi is a major sponsor) Iain Murray also attended the prizegiving.  

Murray has just returned from the Beijing Olympic test event in Qingdao where he and Andrew Palfrey finished 11th in the Star keelboat. “We’re blessed to have places like Hamilton Island to sail at, and great supporters.”

“Their  (Audi’s) sponsorship really has shown – in this room, in the racing and down to the main street,” said Murray, who concluded by telling assembled guests that Hamilton Island’s new yacht club would be well underway by the time we all returned next August.

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	Event Website

Yendys takes overall honours at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

Yendys on the course

In fluky breezes and a strong current that tested all, particularly as it went against the yachts on the return journey home, it was a small boat race which worked in favour of Ross and his crew who had to beat Wild Oats X on corrected time to win the series, which they did.

Although Limit, West Australian Alan Brierty’s Corby 49 won today’s UBS South Molle/Daydream Island Race, Yendys, which Ross says is built for predominantly heavy weather racing, finished well down in 15th, but beat Wild Oats X by four places to claim the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week title.  Wild Oats X has finished second overall after a superb week of sailing, with Steven David’s Reichel/Pugh 60 third, making it three Reichel/Pugh designs on the podium.

Geoff Ross was unavailable for comment this afternoon, but third placegetter Steven David said of the series:  “We’ve had an absolute ball. Audi Hamilton Island Race Week set new standards this year, the competition was tougher than ever, so we’ll certainly be back next year.

“We are very happy with our third overall.  Since 2003, we’ve finished second twice, won one and finished third this year.  You can’t complain about that.” 

David also said: “It was very tricky out there, especially coming home against the tide.  The most breeze we saw today was 12-13 knots and that was in the earlier part of the race. Adam Beashel (Emirates Team NZ America’s Cup sailor) did a great job of steering and he will join us for more races.” 

All divisions in the 217 boat record fleet started in the Dent Passage this morning, with the IRC Racing division first away at 10.00am. 

The IRC Racing, Premier IRC, Performance, Cruiser/Racer IRC and Club Marine Cruising Division 1 contested the 23.3 nautical mile (approx) UBS South Molle/Daydream Island Race, while Cruising Divisions 2 and 3 and the Non-Spinnaker divisions were sent off on a shorter 13.6 nm (approx) course from the start to Dent and Denman Islands and back to Dent Island, then to the finish, due to the light sou-easterly breezes.

It was a spectacular sight on a beautiful warm blue-skied morning as all yachts set kites heading in a northerly direction.  In fact it was wall-to-wall spinnakers for the best part of an hour, as spectators were treated to a colourful display as Humpback whales played amongst the fleet, adding that something special to the day.

Breezes were soft in the Dent Passage, but that didn’t stop the excitement at the start, as competitors had a strong current pushing their yachts quickly towards the start, it was a matter of trying to slow down so as not to start prematurely. 

IRC Racing
Today’s popular winner was West Australian Alan Brierty and his crew on the Corby 49 Limit.

At the start of the race, Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing crew found themselves having to duck Bob Steel’s new TP52 Quest shortly after the start.  Sailing with pace, the Cookson 50 came perilously close to an incident, but managed to execute a big swerve and duck the bigger boat.

Most in the IRC Racing opted for a pin end start, with Graeme Troon’s XLR8 off quickly.  Mid line, Wild Joe (Steven David), Wild Oats and Beau Geste (Karl Kwok) got away well too, as did Geoff Ross’ Yendys more towards the boat end of the line.

Wot Yot (Graeme Wood) and You’re Hired (Geoff Morgan/Andrew Banks) got caught in a boat jam at the start, so did not get way as they would have liked.

As the IRC yachts left Dent behind them, wind gusts hit and the fleet took off, with Bob Oatley’s Reichel/Pugh 66 getting the upper hand over Wild Joe early to lead the fleet towards South Molle Island.

As the yachts spread out and made their way around North Molle for the slow beat against the tide home, Wild Oats had a one to two minute lead over Wild Joe with Yendys, yesterday’s series leader on handicap, giving chase. 

Halfway down South Molle and right behind Yendys came Quantum Racing and You’re Hired, intent on having a match race to the finish.  Just behind them, Beau Geste, loaded up with America’s Cup heavies, gave chase.

Top Kiwi match racer and BMW Oracle tactician Gavin Brady, calling the shots on Beau Geste, left the call too late to tack out of South Molle Island and Beau Geste was left momentarily floundering.  Helmsman and fellow BMW Oracle afterguard Mark Bradford struggled to steer Beau Geste through the lull and eventually got going again, but valuable time was lost.  Brady, obviously angry with himself, stomped his foot on the deck.

Behind them, Quest caught up time, as did Living Doll, Michael Hiatt’s Cookson 50 from Melbourne.

Premier IRC
Laurence Freedman has provisionally sailed Espresso Forte to a win in the Premier IRC division after being in a three-way tie with Eagle Rock and Carrera (John Meadowcroft).  And while Carrera carted off second place overall, Eagle Rock was superseded by Paul Clitheroe’s Balance.

This afternoon, a proud Freedman said: “This is our sixth year here. We’ve had two third places here and now a win – we’re obviously getting better!  Our hardest competition was Eagle Rock and Carrera, but now my next door neighbour and fellow CYCA member has scored third place!”

Clitheroe was just as surprised as Freedman.  “It’s a miracle when you look at our results for the rest of the week, but I’m taking it,” he laughed.

Andrew Short Marine Brindabella (Andrew Short) and Alex-Team MacAdie, co-skippered by father and son crew Jock and Hamish MacAdie got away well and looked comfortable as they ran towards South Molle Island.  Dean Harrigan’s Beneteau First 50 Playstation 3 also made the best of the start with multi-talented sailor Michael Spies at the helm and it was clear early on that Laurence Freedman (Espresso Forte) was clear about winning.

The MacAdies have recently returned to Australia after winning line honours in the 5,500 nautical mile Melbourne-Osaka Race and their cruise home.

Second going into today’s final race, Eagle Rock (Ross Wilson) got away well, as did Money Man Paul Clitheroe’s Sydney 47CR Balance.  Clitheroe will contest his second Sydney Hobart race this year; his first as skipper.

Cruiser/Racer IRC
Mark Griffith skippered his Bull 9000 Raging Bull to a win in the Cruiser/Racer IRC division, despite finishing well down the leaderboard today, as was the case for many top three finishers across the fleets.

Equinox, Anthony Dunn’s Sydney 36CR sailed well again today and it paid dividends with his second overall finish in the series.  Geoff Pearson’s well sailed Archambault 35 rounded of the top placings finishing the series third overall.

The Ian Box owned and skippered Toy Box got away comfortably and looked smooth under spinnaker, along with FKP Mean Machine Chris Rabbige and Ian Uther’s colourful modified Mumm 36 and John Bacon’s Hussy.

Performance Racing
Dave Witt steered George Gregan Foundation into pole position at the start.  Before long famous Aussie boatbuilder John McConaghy had Second Time Around sailing hard, bow down, under kite – and that’s how the top two places rounded out provisionally overall in the Performance Racing division.  Wallop, Peter Hewson’s Sydney 41, finished third overall.

Aboard Rumbo, Guy and Clark Holbert and their small crew looked very relaxed in the perfect light-weather conditions throughout the race.

Whale Watching Sydney Liesl appeared to be doing just that – whale watching, as the slowly cruised the course, as Rod Skellet’s unusual looking Pope 40, Krakatoa II loped along with renowned navigator and pilot Roger Grimes helping with tactics.   Jeffery Paul’s Mumm 30 Immigrant was quick off the line too.

Club Marine Cruising Division 1
Graham Smith’s X-43 Scaramouche never looked like being beaten in the Club Marine Cruising 1 division.  A clear 10 points ahead going into today’s race, Smith capitalised to take the series from Escape, Graham Jones’ Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49 and the Oceanic Hustler, an Olsen 50 owned and skippered by Bruce Finlay.

Stephen Keal and his crew on Fish Frenzy looked to be in the groove in this division, along with Chris Carlisle’s Piano Man. Sandstone may not have been the fastest boat on the track, but Mike Davies and his crew were making the best of their day and enjoying themselves.

Doug Ryan looked keen to replay his win of Day 1 with his Farr 1104 Magic, while Ian Miller’s Young Ones crew were playing catch-up and the big Open 60 Gusto 1, with Brian Pattinson at the helm, made the best of his big boat status at the front end of their fleet.

Other Cruising Divisions
Cruising Divisions 2 and 3, along with the Non-Spinnaker division were the last classes to start.  The heavier boats found it hard going until clearing Dent Passage.

Viva La Vita, Tony Bates’ Northshore 330, looked to be making a good job of Cruising Division 2, and she did, announced as provisional winner of Cruising 2 division. 

Magnolia, Peter Higgins’ classic S&S58, took home second place overall, with Farrago, Tom & Emily McCutcheon’s Phase 4, claiming third overall.

During the race, the beautiful Seastream 650 Celera (Patrick Smith) with celebrated sailor Nev Wittey at the helm looked elegant and sleek, whilst the Holy Cow crew (John Clinton) looked competitive but fairly relaxed.

In Cruising 3 division, David Berry (Escapade) scored his third win on the trot yesterday and followed up with a second today to claim a well deserved series win from Paul Melling’s Morning Mist and Jim Shannon’s lovely S&S34 Meltemi taking home third place.

In the Non Spinnaker Division, yesterday’s leader, Terence Herbert’s True Colours did enough again today to win this division overall from Bryan Hudson’s Catalyst, which has held on to its second place overall from yesterday, whilst Mike Walter and his Mim crew held of the competition to hold onto third place overall.

New Race Director Denis Thompson stated: “We had a few little glitches on the opening day, but they were rectified and I’m very happy with the way the regatta has gone. We made some changes to the courses this year and the sailors are really happy, so our race management team is happy too.”

Thompson went on to say: “We may look at the way we start races.  I get a bit nervous with a big fleet in Dent Passage in some conditions and we could get 250 for the 25th anniversary next year.”

 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is all but over for another year – and what an event it has been.  As many commented, new major naming right’s sponsor, Audi Australia, has made the regatta a bigger and better one. 

One announcement is left to be made though – the winner of the Audi A4 Avant.  This major prize will go to one of the divisional winners mentioned above. 

Earlier in the week, a representative from each competing boat was given the opportunity of competing in the Audi Drive Challenge, and the winner of that challenge from the divisional winners at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, will drive away with a new car.   That person’s name will be announced this evening at the official prizegiving.

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	Event Website

Alegria’s Audi IRC Championship runaway win

Audi IRC Championship winners Rod Jones (fourth from left kneeling) with the Audi Q7 3 6 FSI quattro SUV

The final stage of the four-event series, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week concludes at the Island tomorrow, but Jones and his crew have already done enough to claim the title, the Audi IRC Australian Championship Perpetual Trophy designed by John Woulfe, and best of all, the highly sought after major prize of an Audi Q7 3.6 FSI quattro SUV.

An excited Rod Jones today commented:  “This is sensational. The team’s worked really hard.  While the car is a great end result, it’s very special to win the Audi IRC Championship, especially as it’s the first one and there’s been such great sponsorship from Audi. 

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in for any of us yet,“ he said on being told he had won the sleek black performance SUV from Audi – the Audi Q7 - which retails at around $92,000 ‘with all the trimmings’, one of the biggest prizes on offer at any yachting event in Australia.

In the final tally, Alegria, one of the smallest boats in the IRC Series, has upstaged her better known grand prix racers, including confirmed second placegetter, and also the largest boat to compete, Hamilton Island owner Bob Oatley’s ‘Wild Oats X’, the canting keeled Reichel/Pugh 66 from NSW.

Racing is so close here at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, that third to fifth places for the Championship will not be decided until tomorrow when racing finishes.

Audi Australia’s Joerg Hofmann, says that congratulations are definitely in order for the crew of Alegria, winning the first-ever Audi IRC Australian Championship.

“I’d like to congratulate Rod and his team for a great contest,” Mr Hofmann said.

“This close competition is exactly why Audi is involved in high level competitive sailing. Teamwork, technology and passion are needed to win a major championship like this one, and these values are a clear fit with the Audi brand,” he added.

Those vying for the minor placings include current Audi Hamilton Island Race Week leader ‘Yendys’, a Reichel/Pugh 55 owned by Geoff Ross, Steven David’s Reichel/Pugh 60 ‘Wild Joe’ and Ray Roberts’ Cookson 50, ‘Quantum Racing’.  All are from NSW.

To be eligible for the Audi IRC Australian Championship, which is endorsed by Yachting Australia, yachts must hold a valid IRC Rating Certificate and enter at least three of the four events that make up the Championship; the Audi IRC Series at Skandia Geelong Week held in January each year, the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta, sailed in March, Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race in July and finally Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in August. 

Following today’s Races 7 and 8 at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, Yendys is currently on equal points Wild Oats X, but Yendys leads on countback with more wins in place.  The winner will be decided in tomorrow’s final race.

The record 217 entries compete in the UBS South Molle/Daydream Island Race on Saturday 25 August, an approximately 23.3 nautical mile race on one of the most scenic courses around the Island.  

One hundred and sixty yachts competed in the Audi IRC Australian Championship series throughout the year.

Sailability NSW – planning for sustainable growth

Sailability NSW Conference

According to Sailability NSW president Grahme Rayner, it was an exciting weekend of developing action plans for a sustainable future as well as for exchanging information and networking. 

“Sailability NSW has grown from six branches in 1995 to 26 today, due in large part to the popularity of recreational sail days conducted by Sailability branches.  Sailability provides sailing to communities who generally cannot experience the joy of sailing.  These groups include the disability sector, special education schools and units, as well as seniors and disadvantaged communities.

“This rapid growth of Sailability is placing strains on the volunteer organization and the conference was able to address the issue of growing the organization in a sustainable way.”

The program included presentations on volunteering, handling the media, submission writing, the philosophy of inclusion, risk management, rigging Access Dinghies, safe lifting of sailors, as well as branch reports.  On Saturday night comedian Steady Eddie (who was born with cerebral palsy) hilariously related some of his life experiences.

After a lively AGM, Sunday was dedicated to planning a sustainable future.  The key outcome was the establishment of nine sub-committees, providing much needed support and guidance to the hardworking Sailability Executive Committee.  Another decision was to utilise internet technology for conference calls, so that skills of members from regional Sailability branches can be utlised state-wide.

The conference was officially closed by Kayee Griffin, Member of the Legislative Council, representing the Minister for Disability Services and Ageing, Kristina Keneally.  Ms Griffin acknowledged the significant contribution that Sailability makes to the community. The conference expressed its appreciation of the participation of Bruce Dickson, Chair, Sailability Australia, and David Staley, Victorian delegate to Sailability Australia.

The Conference was funded through a Sport Development Grant provided by the NSW Association of Disability Sport and NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.

Sailability is a volunteer-driven community-based organization, fostering sailing for everyone, from those who are able-bodied to those with minimal physical function. Sailability NSW is member of Yachting NSW, of the NSW Association of Disability Sports and is one of eight state or territory Sailability associations. Sailability’s peak body is Sailability Australia, a committee of Yachting Australia. Sailability is a world-wide organization overseen by Sailability World. Sailability NSW Incorporated is a registered charity.

Other Links
	Sailabilty Website

Australia Second In Medal Tally As Olympic Sailing Test Event Wraps Up

Tom Slingsby

Australia had two medal races on the final day of competition - Laser and Yngling classes.

In the Lasers, Tom Slingsby missed out on a Bronze medal by just one point. Having struggled with the light conditions which prevailed for the majority of this regatta, Tom ended his campaign with second, fourth and second in his final three races over the past two days. While this was a strong finish, reflecting his learnings about the waters here and the increased wind of the past 48 hours, it wasn’t quite enough to earn him a spot on the podium this year.

The Yngling team of Nicky Bethwaite, Karyn Gojnich and Angela Farrell finished the regatta eighth overall, placing fifth in their final race today.

The total medal tally is a marked improvement for Australia, which did not medal at this regatta in 2006, and is a positive indicator that the team is on track for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

FINAL AUSTRALIAN SAILING TEAM RESULTS:
470 Men Gold Nathan Wilmot, Malcolm Page
470 Women Gold Elise Rechichi, Tessa Parkinson
Tornado Silver Darren Bundock, Glenn Ashby
RX:S (Windsurfer) Women Bronze Jessica Crisp
Laser 4th Overall Tom Slingsby
49er 5th Overall Nathan Outteridge, Ben Austin
Yngling 8th Overall Nicky Bethwaite, Karyn Gojnich,
Angela Farrell
Star 11th Overall Iain Murray, Andrew Palfrey
Laser Radial 14th Overall Krystal Weir
Finn 16th Overall Anthony Nossiter

Other Links
	Event website
	AST website

White sands of Whitehaven the perfect place to finish

While the racing crews were concentrating on their performance, there was a steady procession of boats, including many from the six divisions enjoying their second layday, motoring from Hamilton Island around to Whitehaven Beach for one of the largest social events of the week.

Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats X scored its sixth consecutive line honours victory today, crossing the finish line off the award winning Whitehaven Beach three minutes ahead of Steven David’s Wild Joe.

On handicap, the Geoff Ross skippered Reichel/Pugh Yendys today hammered another nail in its competitors’ coffin. Yendys was leading Wild Oats X by three points in the IRC Racing pointscore heading into today’s race and is now eight points clear of the larger Reichel/Pugh with three races remaining.

“It was a beautiful day’s sailing…just like the brochures,” said a delighted Ross this afternoon.

“The boat is going well in a variety of conditions. We are here with our Rolex Sydney Hobart crew and we are working hard,” added Ross.

Second on handicap in today’s light air race was Geoff Morgan and Andrew Banks’ You’re Hired and third was Michael Hiatt’s Melbourne based Cookson 50 Living Doll, one of two boats granted a reprieve after she and Wild Joe found themselves on the wrong side of the start line when the gun fired. As they sailed back through the start line, the whole fleet was recalled for a restart.

The Performance Racing division also had a general recall and then on the second attempt, a number of boats were individually recalled including the Volvo 60 George Gregan Foundation which took a while to respond to the race committee’s calls, skipper David Witt finally swinging the big boat around to re-start. Given the amount of time they lost, they did well to finish fourth on handicap today, which puts them second on the pointscore behind today’s divisional winner, Stephen Hunter’s Hick 31 Zutem, the current pointscore leader with two races remaining for this division.  

Geoff Lavis’ UBS Wild Thing was also recalled on the second start but used this to her advantage. By the time UBS Wild Thing restarted, the crew could pick out which of their competitors were sailing in the best wind pressure and they went on to finish second on handicap.

A mother humpback whale and her calf, which kept leaping out of the water, also chose the route to Whitehaven Beach today.    

Tomorrow the IRC Racing fleet will sail two windward/leeward races while the remaining divisions will sail another round the islands race starting in Dent Passage. Tomorrow’s forecast is for S/SE winds at 15/25 knots.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week will conclude on Saturday with the UBS South Molle/Daydream Island Race.

Other Links
	Official race website

Katie Spithill ranked 3rd in ISAF Women's Match Race World Rankings

This comes off the back of Katie and her teams silver medal at the ISAF Women's Match Race World Championship. It is her highest ever ranking and only surpassed Sue Walters who was ranked number two in 1995.

Further information can be found by - CLICKING HERE.

Other Links
	ISAF Website

Secret to success at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2007

Unlike the boat of a similar name, Geoff Boettcher’s Hardys Secret Mens Business which had its Audi Hamilton Island Race Week cut short after a pre-start collision on the first day of racing, luck and good tactics were on the side of the SMB syndicate from Sydney which today scored their best result of the series, a second in the Premier IRC division. Secret Mens Business #1 was Boettcher’s previous boat.

John Meadowcraft’s stunning Marten 49 Carerra was the best placed in the Premier IRC division today with Dean Harrigan’s Playstation 3 finding form in the light sou’easterly breeze to finish third.

The Cruiser Racer IRC division had their course shortened at Pine Island as the breeze lightened and the tide turned. Mark Griffith’s Raging Bull sailed a brilliant race to pip Anthony Dunn’s Equinox and Jenny King and Murray Owen’s Mahligai in this division.

In the IRC Racing division Geoff Ross’ Reichel/Pugh 55 Yendys scored its first handicap win of the series, beating Geoff Morgan and Andrew Banks’ You’re Hired, which picked a winner off Pentecost and was leading Wild Oats X and Wild Joe at one stage. Third in division was Bob Steel’s Quest, one of two Transpac 52s racing this week.

While the rest of the fleet were sent on a passage race, the Performance Racing fleet enjoyed two windward/leeward races today, Guy and Clark Holbert’s Mumm 30 Rumbo out paced the rest, scoring two wins from two. Alex Douglas’ Synergy also featured twice in the top three today, scoring a third in race one today and a second in race two.

In the cruising divisions, which started a different 17 nautical mile course in Dent Passage, Stephen Keal’s Fish Frenzy beat the fleet in Division 1 and in Division 2, Tony Bates Viva La Vita scored its third win to put them ahead on the pointscore by a country mile. Division 3 was won by David Berry’s Escapade. In the Non Spinnaker division, Terence Herbert’s True Colours provisionally won its division.

Tomorrow is the famous Whitehaven Beach Race for the IRC Racing and Performance Racing Divisions, starting at 10.25am from the eastern starting line, while those not racing are expected to cruise around to the famous beach for the party to end all parties.

Other Links
	Event Website
	Audi Australian Website

Peter Gilmour Bestowed Honour of Title in Malaysia

Monsoon Cup event adviser Peter Gilmour is now a Datuk

The title of Dato' conferred only by a state ruler in Malaysia, was awarded by His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the 16th Sultan of the state of Terengganu and the 13th King of Malaysia in conjunction with his 45th birthday. The investiture was presented on behalf of His Majesty by his son Tengku Muhammad Ismail, the Regent of Terengganu, at the Istana Maziah (Royal Palace) Terengganu, on 18 August 2007.

Dato’ Peter Gilmour receives this honour in line with the key role he played in developing the  Monsoon Cup in Terengganu, Malaysia and for inspiring international relations in the sport of sailing. His continuous efforts to promote and boost tourism to the eastern state during a traditionally quiet period were also recognized.

“I am honoured to have received such an auspicious award from the state of Terengganu. In recent years, Malaysia has become my second home and I feel privileged to have been able to play a small role in the expansion of the state. The award recognises all the crucial work the staff and volunteers involved in the Monsoon Cup do and I am proud to represent them. Together we aspire to elevate and profile the country's potential of becoming a world class sailing venue as well as to identify investment opportunities for the state of Terengganu,” said Dato’ Gilmour.

The Monsoon Cup has successfully created a significant platform to showcase tourism investment opportunities. Last year alone, the event achieved a brand valuation of RM295million and drew new tourism spend of RM 2.97 million over the five-day period.

“The Monsoon Cup growing from strength to strength, serves as a catalyst for marine based opportunities, key infrastructure developments and the sailing industry in Malaysia to an international level,” said Dato’ Peter Gilmour. “In line with this, we are also determined to expand the local interest and opportunity stemming from the event such as through public education clinics on match race sailing.”

West Australian-born, Dato’ Peter Gilmour, is one of the most respected and feared competitors on the World Match Racing circuit and the most knowledgeable skippers on the Tour. Dato’ Gilmour started sailing at the age of seven on Perth's Swan River, and competed in his first world championship at the age of 16. At the recent 32nd America’s Cup, Dato’ Gilmour was the team coach, for Team Alinghi who emerged as winners in a thrilling final race.

About Monsoon Cup
The Monsoon Cup first made its debut in Malaysia, the Tour’s first Asian venue, in 2005. The match race, which attracts sailing enthusiasts and visitors from around the globe, offers a prize purse of RM1 million making it the richest sailing event in the world. The five day event also brings together some of the world's best yachtsmen and sailing crews to South East Asia including America Cup qualifiers.

Monsoon Cup 2007, the final event of the 2006-07 World Match Racing Tour, which decides the 2007 World Champion will be held from 28 November to 2 December 2007 at Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

Australians Through To Medal Rounds In Seven Classes At Olympic Sailing Test Event

Nathan Wilmot & Malcolm Page

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	Event Website
	AST Website

Wild Oats X takes line honors in Club Marine Classic Edward Island Race

Wild Oats X takes line honours at Club Marine Classic Edward Island Race

Wild Oats crossed the finish line at 14:01:27 in the fourth race of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. The longest race of the event was sailed over a new course this year, taking the fleet southwards to Coppersmith Rock and then north to Edward Island as in previous years, but bringing them back to Hamilton Island around Surprise Rock instead of Pentecost Island.

The race office has confirmed that because today’s course was a slightly altered to the one sailed by the Swan 80 Maligaya in 2003, it is a different race to four years ago. The course length is almost identical however.

“It’s a nice way to finish the day but it’s all about who wins on handicap,” said skipper Mark Richards this afternoon when Wild Oats X arrived at Hamilton Island Marina.

Provisionally Ray Roberts’s Cookson 50 Quantum Racing has scored its second win of the series. Roberts is currently provisionally leading the IRC Racing results with Wild Joe in second and Wild Oats X third. With the last third of the division still to finish, including the dark horse of the regatta, Harold Clarke’s Invincible, it’s too early for Roberts to start celebrating according to race officer Denis Thompson.

Reaching a top speed of 24 knots, Wild Oats’ tactician Ian ‘Barney’ Walker, the sole Victorian on the boat, this afternoon said their race was problem free.

Other Links
	Event Website

Survey reveals yachting offers a low cost access to an up market lifestyle

The study conducted as a major part of stage one of the $400,000 Go Sailing and Boating program funded by the Victorian Government, reveals that 75% of nearly 20,000 people at Victorian clubs are not boat owners.

And that most (45%) of the boats on club registers are low cost off the beach craft, that cost less than those hi tech road bikes seen ridden by thousands of cyclists along Beach Road each week.

Of 15,000 people who crewed on someone else’s boat, many who belonged to clubs paid fees as low as $200 a year to enjoy the excitement of an up market on water lifestyle. This is about the same cost as a month of return train trips from Sandringham station to work in Melbourne’s CBD .

And for those thousands who crewed on the more than 1,500 club registered keel boats over summer, many enjoyed highly social mid week races and weren’t required to pay membership fees for their first few weeks.

The average cost of a trailable yacht that can be towed behind a family car is about half the cost of a four person caravan whilst the average cost of a keelboat is about the same as an Australian made family 4WD.

The field survey which is the first of its kind in the state was conducted between March and June 2007 with 52 clubs who have signed on to undertake the new Go Sailing and Boating program that is being managed by Yachting Victoria.

CEO of Yachting Victoria, Ross Kilborn (left) says, “The Survey set out to establish for the first time our sport’s key metrics and to establish what are the clubs’ key issues and most critical needs are.
“It confirms that sailing isn’t for the rich and famous and that clubs want to significantly grow participation.”

Survey’s key findings

·        Most clubs want to attract a large number of new and retain existing members

·        Majority of club members don’t own a boat

·        The average cost of an entry level boat is about the same as a good bike

·        Most clubs provide shared public access

·        Sailing is very accessible to the public

·        Non boat owning crewing is very affordable way to enjoy the on water lifestyle

·        Most clubs conduct open days to encourage new members

·        Clubs say they need to attract 350 more officials who will need training

Other findings
Nearly half of the clubs surveyed have disabled access and facilities.

Weekly on water lifestyle participation over summer is 6,700 people a week, whilst traditional weekend racing (excluding winter) remains the predominant activity for all club members attracting 3,900 or 58.2% sailors.

Twilight midweek racing during daylight saving months continues to grow attracting 1,800 people or 27% of participants, whilst social sailing and cruising attracts over 1000 people a week.

There are nearly 600 officials involved with on the water activity, including race management, instructing

(training) and coaching and clubs want to increase these numbers.

Johnny Rodgers, the Program Manager who conducted the survey says, “Clubs say they need an extra 350

volunteers to help cope with next season’s race programs and to grow the sport.”

Two thirds of Clubs have shared public access to the water and over 60% run open days to encourage public

involvement.  On November 11th this year most city based clubs are opening their door on mass.

Go Sailing and Boating Open Sunday November 11th
A free Go Sailing Day on Sunday November 11th will give the public a unique opportunity to step inside the yacht club of their choice and soak up its unique atmosphere.

Visitors will be introduced to the members, can try out a range of members boats for a test sail, speak to experts first hand about sailing and boating opportunities, learn about coaching and training courses, find out about the fun social scene and the tangible benefits of becoming a yacht club member.

Clubs will stage activities that are safe and fully supervised that are suitable for people aged six to seventy, especially for those who have had no previous boating experience.

Other Links
	Yachting VIC

Audi IRC Championship heats up at Hamilton Island

Jamie MacPhail at the helm of Quest Day 3

Rod Jones’ Archambault 35 Alegria from Mooloolaba is the current leader, but hot on her heels is Island owner Bob Oatley’s canting keeled Reichel/Pugh 66 Wild Oats X.

Jones and his keen crew came to Hamilton Island with a handy lead in the Championship pointscore and one thing on their minds - to win the Championship and the Q7.  However Wild OatsX, with Mark Richards at the helm, has scored two wins and a third place to dominate at Race Week so far. 

Alegria came out fighting, producing a fifth place in Race 1 on Saturday, but her ninth and tenth places in yesterday’s two windward/leeward races have dropped her down the scoreboard a little and brought Wild Oats X into close contention.

Looking at the pointscore, Jones and co. on Alegria must finish in better than ninth place at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week to drive the car away, but if Wild Oats X continues on as she started, Jones will have a big job on his hands. 

Originally in the mix for the prize, Hardys Secret Mens Business, owned by Adelaide businessman Geoff Boettcher, has not been lucky this week.  Following a start line collision, Boettcher has had to withdraw the Reichel/Pugh 46 from the series due to the extensive nature of the damage.

“We love coming to Hamilton Island and we really thought we had a serious chance of winning the series and the car. Audi’s generosity in providing a car as the prize has certainly made us all sit up and try harder. We’ll just have to try again next year,” Boettcher said today.

There are five days of racing remaining at Hamilton Island; today’s is the 60 nautical mile Club Marine Classic Edward Island Race.  The start was a thrilling and nail-biting downwind one in Dent Passage, as the fleet jockeyed for position, the start signal was made and the IRC Racing division was away in a cool freshening 15-20 knot sou-easterly wind under spinnaker.

All held their breaths as the yachts gybed to port and starboard as they wound their way down the course, with several near-incidents in the narrow Passage.  The crew of You’re Hired, the Sydney-based Davidson 60, took their lives in their hands, managing to narrowly avoid collisions at high speed. 

As the fleet turned the corner, dropping spinnakers and hardening up, Sydney’s Wild Oats X was already distancing herself from her counterparts (as can be seen in the attached photo).  The Hong Kong entry Beau Geste (Karl Kwok) driven by America’s Cup sailor Mark Bradford and Geoff Ross’ Yendys from Sydney, steered by Sean Kirkjian, got away well and Bob Steel’s newly purchased TP52 Quest outstripped Sydney sistership Wot Yot. 

The lead yachts are expected at the finish early this afternoon, and at 12.30pm, Wild Oats X was leading and approximately one hour inside the current race record.  

Tomorrow is a layday for all classes, with racing resuming on Wednesday.

Other Links
	Event Website
	Audi Australia

Wild Oats X on track to break Edward Island Race Record

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	Event Website

Shreeve takes Formula women’s windsurfing world title 3rd year straight

Shreeve takes Formula women’s windsurfing world title 3rd year straight

Shreeve travelled to Estonia after switching from the RS:X class due to a disappointing performance in her final qualifying event. Being ranked No.11 in the world in the Olympic class was not enough for Shreeve to gain selection for the Olympic Sailing Test Event, so the obvious choice was to return to Formula windsurfing, despite minimal preparation. “I only had two weeks to prepare for the World Championships, and was quite concerned having not been on a Formula board since the world titles last year in Korea”.  Shreeve went in the Baltic Cup as a warm up event to tune in her new F2 board and equipment, and to again get the feel for Formula racing.  A strong performance and first place in the event signalled a warning to the other competitors of what was to come.

The first two days of the World Championships saw very light winds, and despite the race committee’s best efforts to get the event underway, it wasn’t until the third day that the competitors got some reward after the frustration of races being abandoned due to unstable conditions.  What followed were gruelling 8 hour days on the water in conditions ranging from 10 – 27 knots and at times, very choppy swell and strong gusts.  While challenging for the racers, it made for exciting viewing for the spectators who were treated to up close action and countless spills as sailors catapulted into the washing machine like waters near the break wall.  “It was really hard to know which equipment to take out, with the 10m sail too big for the waves, and the 9m too small when the wind backed off.  But that’s the great thing about Formula windsurfing – it’s about weighing up the conditions, the wind, the current, the land formations, the competition, and choosing the right sails and fins.  It’s about being rewarded for being able to hold the power in the larger sails, and control the board in all conditions.”

Shreeve will now return to Sydney, Australia after five months of competing and training overseas.  Her short term goals are now firmly focussed on the international professional windsurfing tour, taking on Slalom, Formula, and Speed events.  Ultimately Allison would like to again attempt to break the Women’s World Speed record, to add to her “A” class world speed record that she obtained in November 2005.  To follow Allison’s progress or sponsor her, visit her website at www.aus911.com.

Other Links
	Allison Shreeve Website

Day 4 of 2007 Qingdao International Regatta: Australian Wins Brighten Dull, Rainy Day

Iain Murray & Andrew Palfrey (Star)

AST members Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (470 Men) finished sixth and first in their two races, bringing them up the standings to share the overall lead with Israel on countback.

While the Team is frustrated by the light wind conditions, they’re putting in a lot of hard work to make the most of it and are learning to deal with the challenging nature of the location.

“I think we were lucky to have some wind out there today and it was just enough to make headway on the current which would have been 2 to 2.5 knots – it makes the downwind very long and the upwind very short,” said Page.

“All the work we’ve been doing for the past year is obviously paying off because we had a good result today with a sixth and a first which puts us first overall with the Isrealis on countback, which is nice.”

In the 49er class fellow AST members, Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin completed the day’s three races with a first, fourth and second, bringing them to third overall.  Spain lead the 49er class another  three races scheduled on Sunday.

In the Women’s 470 class, Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson also had a good day on the water, placing third and racking up another win.

The two youngest members of the AST, both from Western Australia, were happy with their performance, having achieved their aim for the day.

“Our aim going into the day was just to be consistent,” said Rechichi, who is also studying to become a commercial pilot.

“In the second race we didn’t have such a great start but we worked it the first leg upwind and were pretty conservative and waited for our opportunity, then consolidated once we were second to the top mark and then pretty well just covered it from there.”

Australian Laser sailor and World Champion Tom Slingsby, renowned for his innate ability to sense wind changes and find air when needed, is focused on mastering the conditions one race at a time.

“The breeze was pretty tricky today - very light and a lot of current again,” said Slingsby at the end of two races which saw him place fifth and 12th.

“The left of the course would favour, then the right – there weren’t any trends out there so you had to keep our eyes open and sail towards the pressure and always keep the current in the back of your mind, otherwise you could overlay quite easily”.

“I’m learning a lot about Qingdao and its extremely hard to pick it here – the more I sail it the figure it out”.

“Last year here, I started quite slow and finished quite strong so hopefully this year I’ll do the same.

“It’s extremely tough but I think I’m learning.”

Racing is scheduled for all classes on Sunday 19th August.

Other Links
	Event website
	AST website

Day 3 Qingdao International Regatta - No Racing As Conditions Fail To Fulfill Forecast

The slightest change in weather conditions in this reigon can have a drastic impact on the forecast and the required meteorological elements failed to align and produce the goods again today.

There is some hope things may improve tomorrow, but learning how to adjust to local conditions is part of the learning curve of an Olympic test event. Finding out exactly what the team will have to deal with in 2008 to be in medal contention is crucial and, no matter how frustrating it may be waiting on the dock and watching  for the flags to get some lift, its a valuable experience.

All classes are due to race tomorrow, Saturday 18 August, providing the weather plays its part.

Other Links
	Australian Sailing Team Website
	ISAF website

Fastest fleet of 30-footers on the Harbour

The coming 2007-2008 season will be the third series for these lightweight flyers that SASC has organised, with the fleet expected to top 20 boats each weekend.

Among designs racing with the Amateurs will be the latest from Melges Boatwork,  the M32, along with Austral 30s, numerous Robert Hick designs, Mumm 30s, JS9000s, Magic 25s, Sydney 32s and many more.

Any yacht that is less than 32 feet LOA, is of light displacement and planes downwind is welcome to join the racing each Saturday within Sydney Harbour.

The Amateurs series consists of both long and short  (every second Saturday) pointscores, along with a sprint series of eight races over two weekends.

In an innovative move, the SASC is considering a trial of the AMS handicapping system in addition to their customary arbitrary system.

The SASC Sailing Committee insists that all fleet handicappers race within their fleet, making the handicapper both accessible and knowledgeable about what happens on the track.

“Professional race management, a friendly club atmosphere, fast and wet rides on the harbour…what more could a summer Saturday afternoon hold?” says sailing committee chairman Guy Irwin.

Club Commodore John Crawford, who owns a Classic Ranger,  comments that the contrast between the Classic style boats and the Super 30's is “delightfully Amateurs and good for the club.”

Baby boat wins Meridien Marinas Race Week trophy

Arajilla seemed to be two paced in the gusty 15-22 knot trade wind but skipper Wittey was well aware that they only needed to finish in the top five to beat the star studded fleet for the title.

Whittey who showed his class in the lighter wind races simply had to stay in touch with the race clock and while Arajilla staggered upwind it was a different story on the spinnaker runs where the small sloop wave surfed to log the required speed and claim the important points.

However Arajilla was clearly outsailed on corrected handicap when Quest helmed by Jamie Macphail won an exciting 2 hour 53 minute 40 second tactical match race to win the final over Karl Kwok’s Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club sloop Beau Geste .

Quest set up her win with unmatched speed on the spinnaker runs to eventually record her impressive 1minute 5 second victory while Beau Geste finished with more than two minutes to spare over the defending champion the Ray Roberts skippered Quantum Racing.

The crew of Arajilla who flew a protest flag prior to the start breathed a sigh of relief when she finished fourth to win the title with the consistent score of 5-2-1-1-1-4 while Michael Hiatt steered his Victorian sloop Living Doll to record a 4-1-2-4-2-3 winning the Silver Medal ahead of the defending champion Quantum Racing 1-7-4-5-1-3.

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s Hussy expressed her liking to the stronger winds when owner skipper John Bacon steered her to a comfortable win in the Premier Cruising class.

This was Hussy’s second win in three years and clearly showed she is race prepared to contest the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week IRC Cruising class championship which starts off Dent Passage on Saturday.

Other Links
	Event Website

Day 2: Qingdao International Regatta

Australian Sailing Team

The 49er class who along with the 470 women’s class completed one race yesterday were held ashore pending completion of R:SX racing course.

This regatta marks the commencement of the 12 month countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and for all teams competing it is a very important benchmark for their development and progression to achieving success at the Games.

The Australian Sailing Team (AST) is well prepared for this regatta having just completed a 13 day intensive acclimatisation and speed development camp in Qingdao. This preparation was well demonstrated with an impressive first up win to 470 women’s pair Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson. The West Australian pair were second at the first mark but implemented a flawless and disciplined high current and light wind strategy to take the lead. Together with the second place Dutch crew they distanced themselves by nearly 300 metres from the remainder of the fleet at the end of the race.

“I can’t tell you how hard it was and how disciplined we had to be to maintain our offsets and drift angles to achieve mark rounding the optimum way” said Rechichi straight after the finish. “It was soo weird to be easing sheets and aiming more than 30 degrees below the mark on starboard tack to the top mark, but that is what we had to do to achieve the shortest and fastest way to the mark”.

Recent bronze medallists at the world championship, Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin (49er class) started well in a very light wind race, but got on the wrong side of a significant shift and struggled to fetch the finish line in strong current. They finished in 18th place.

The AST are confident that they will perform well at this regatta with all crews having worked very hard on and off the water to come to grips with the challenging conditions. They have adapted equipment, fitness and body mass as well as embracing the mental challenges required in this difficult environment.

Reigning world champions Tom Slingsby (Laser Class) and Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (470 Men’s class) are also keen to perform well in this regatta to both dispel common perceptions they are only heavy wind specialists.

Australian results after Day 2:
Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson (470 Women) - 1st place
Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby (Tornado) - 1st place
Iain Murray & Andrew Palfrey (Star) - 10th place
Nicky Bethwaite, Karyn Gojnich & Angela Farrell (Yngling) - 8th place
Nathan Outteridge & Ben Austin (49er) - 18th place

Loki 3rd overall in Rolex Fastnet Race

Loki

Owned by Stephen Ainsworth and skippered by Cameron Miles, Loki crossed the line in 11th in the fleet, about 43 minutes astern of the canting keel Cookson 50 Chieftain, the Irish yacht which placed fourth overall in the 2005 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Chieftain, owned by Gerald O’Rourke, is provisionally first overall on IRC ahead of the George David’s US entry, Rambler, the Reichel/Pugh 90 which, as Alfa Romeo, took line honours in the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart, and Loki.

Rambler is provisionally first in the IRC SZ class, with Loki in second place,  with 11 boats finished early today, Sydney time. 

Retirement figures have varied over the past days, but the Royal Ocean Racing Club says 69 boats are still racing, with 193 boats have pulled out of the 608 nautical mile race.

At this stage the weather over the course has moderated, currently northwesterly at 20 knots, with 25 knots towards the Fastnet Rock.

Record-breaking Line honours winner, ICAP Leopard, Michael Slade’s newly launched Farr-designed 100-footer, will be shipped to Australia in September in preparation for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.

Before then the boat will undergo some modifications to lighten her – she was built as a charter boat capable of racing competitively.  Leopard currently weighs 40 tonnes, considerably heavier than a straight-out racing boat such as Alfa Romeo at 28 tonnes.

ICAP Leopard’s elapsed time of 1 day 20 hours 18 minutes chopped just under nine hours off the record set by Ross Field in the 80-footer RF Yachting in the 1999 Fastnet.  Rambler was only 10 miles astern when Leopard crossed the line and also finished well within the record.

Dockside at Plymouth, Slade was presented with a Rolex Yachtmaster timepiece in steel and platinum and the Erroll Bruce Cup for his line honours victory.

Slade recounted the first day match-racing out of the Solent and along with English south coast with Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo in 25-30 knots of wind (with Alfa Romeo later retiring from the race).  “The race against Neville would have been a heck of a struggle, even though the conditions and point of sail favoured us,” he said. “But to have his old boat (Rambler is the former Shockwave/Alfa Romeo) come and pip us would have been hard to forgive.”

Rambler actually led ICAP Leopard around the Fastet Rock by just three seconds.

Day 1 of Olympic Sailing Test Event: Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson in first place

Tessa Parkinson & Elise Rechichi (470 women)

The weather went as predicted and failed to amount to much more than a zephyr. Only two classes got races away with a result. The 470's women’s and 49er classes.

Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson (470 class) sailed brilliantly to record the first win for Australia at this years test event. Victor Kovalenko, head coach and 470 guru was extremely pleased with their efforts considering all of the hurdles that this crew has endured over the last 12 months. Elise picked up a nasty illness 12 months ago and spent most of the year recuperating and has only been back in the boat in earnest for the last three months.

Rechichi and Parkinson were delighted with their performance in the first race. Tessa beamed, “Winning our first race feels amazing and it was a great way to start off the week”. She commented “We had a relatively bad start. A lot of boats were over the line, leading to several black flags. For this race, we decided to head up the middle, and it ended out working in our favour”.

Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin (49er class) were in good shape early in the race but were forced to take the unfavoured gate mark at the bottom of the course and sailed away from the next breeze advantage and dropped to 18th position. Ben Austin did a grand job sailing today after being bed ridden for the last two days with sickness.

The other classes that were supposed to sail however the Star, Tornado and RSX classes all had to sit around, or bob up and down waiting for the breeze that was too inconsistent to race.

Racing continues on Thursday 16th August with the medal races being held on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd August.

Below are the top 3 results, including Australian results:

470 Women after 1 race
1. Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson (AUS)
2. Marcelien de Koning & Lobke Berkhout (NED)
3. Stefanie Rothweiler & Vivien Kussatz (GER)

49er after 1 race
1. Iker Martinez & Xabier Fernandez (ESP)
2. Andre Fonseca & Rodrigo Duarte (BRA)
3. Pachoutmasa Athanasios & Athanasios
18. Nathan Outteridge & Ben Austin (AUS)

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	Event Website

Second last day of competition at Airlie Beach Race Week

Thomas who enjoys sailing for fun in the intensely competitive class exercised a duty of care when he sailed off course to rescue a fellow competitor during the windy race around the Double Cone Islands.

The Rock ‘ n Roll crew were racing mid fleet when sheet hand Mark Kennedy was washed out of the cockpit of the Bruce Tardrew helmed Too Hot to Trot.
“We had a bit on at the time when Mark slipped out and were pleased to see Rock n’ Roll alter course and pick him up”. Tardrew said.

“Come on mate you can come with us” Thomas jokingly said when they hauled Kennedy onboard.

Apart from being wet and cold Kennedy was happy to start a race in one sports boat and finish in another while Thomas later claimed redress which ultimately elevated Rock n’ Roll from ninth to first on corrected handicap.

Thomas has continued to race consistently in a mixed range of winds to record a 1-4-2-3-9-3-5 to lead the Brett Whitbread skippered It’s What You Do by two penalty points while Victorian Heath Walters helming Melges Asia Pacific holds third another 6 points off the pace.

West Australian skipper John Moore expressed his strong wind sailing skill when he steered This Way Up to an important win in the Premier Cruising class championship.

Moore has shown his preference to race in stronger winds and simply proved too fast in the gusty 15-22 knot breeze steering This Way Up to a 1 minute 54 second win over the Garry Anderson skippered Esprit while championship leader John Bacon finished third with Hussy.

Only three points now separate Hussy, This Way Up and Esprit which suggests the three crews will almost certainly enter in a tactical match race in the final race to decide the 2007 championship.

The return of stronger winds also allowed Quantum Racing to claim a line and corrected handicap double in the IRC class championship but her skipper and crew seem certain to lose the defence of their 2006 trophy wind.

Quantum Racing beat the improving Karl Kwok skippered Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club sloop Beau Geste by 19 seconds after five hours of intense tactical racing while the title hangs in the balance with Arajilla leading the series into the final with 10 penalty points lost compared with the Michael Hiatt skippered Living Doll 12 points, Quantum Racing 18 points and Beau Geste 19 points. 

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Entries open for Sail Melbourne 2008

470s on Port Phillip at a previous Sail Melbourne

On Line Entries for the ISAF Sailing World Cup, Laser Asia Pacific Championships, Finn Gold Cup, 49er & 29er World Championships, Tornado Asia Pacific Championships, 470 World Championships as well as numerous other events are now open and being accepted via the Sail Melbourne website.  

The official site features secure payment methods, e-mail confirmation and the knowledge that your entry is complete and ready to go.  Simply go to the Sail Melbourne website at www.sailmelbourne.com.au, click on the events page and then onto the event you want to enter and you will find all the details of that event listed on the one page and a link to the secure on line entry portal.

Competitors will also be able to view the list of other entrants in their particular event to see just who the competition is!

Further information on all Sail Melbourne 2008 events, including Notices of Race, accommodation and charters, tourism details, links to class and club websites, photographs from previous years, news updates and other details are listed on the Sail Melbourne website.  Inquiries can be directed to info@sailmelbourne.com.au or call +61 3 9597 0066 (ext 3) for Event Manager, Rod Austin.

“It won’t get any better than this, the best racing teams in the world will be competing in Sail Melbourne 2008.”  - John Bertrand AM – Sail Melbourne 2008 Patron

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	Event Website

Victorian Sailing takes on Disability Education Program

Soon the new presenters will commence delivery of three modules designed to help make sailing more welcoming and inclusive of people with a disability.  The Disability Education Program (DEP) modules have been specially adapted for our sport and are part of Yachting Australia’s commitment to making sailing more inclusive.

The three sport specific modules are:

• Opening Doors (for clubs)
• Inclusive Coaching (for Instructors and Coaches)
• Inclusion for Race Officials (for Race Officers)

Opening Doors is a three hour module and can be conducted for individual clubs or groups of clubs together.  The Inclusion for Race Officials and Inclusive Coaching modules are conducted as part of other Race Officer and Instructor or Coaching courses.

The Sailing DEP has been developed by Yachting Australia with the support of the Australian Sports Commission through Project CONNECT.  It aims to not only give more people with disabilities the opportunity to participate at a grass roots level in sailing, but also to support their progress to high performance and have the possibility to represent Australia internationally.

Attending the presenters course at Royal Brighton Yacht Club recently, were Michael McLean (RYCV), Di Riseby (BaYC), Brian Girling (LSC), Diane Kemp (MYC), Colin Johanson (RYCV), Charles Weatherly (RBYC/BaYC), Neil Ross (LWYC) and Peter Donaldson (MYC).  The course was facilitated by Connie Raso and Kathy Tessier from the Disability Education Program and David Staley from Yachting Victoria’s Sailability Committee.

For more information about Project CONNECT and the Disability Education Program – Click Here

To arrange an Opening Doors presentation to your club, contact Johnny Rogers at Yachting Victoria - Email

'Arajilla' close to winning Airlie Beach Race Week

Airlie Beach Race Week

Less than a week ago Pearson regarded as a happy club competition sailor casually prepared his new Archambault 35 Arajilla for her first serious race against a star line up of champions including the defending trophy winner the Ray Roberts skippered Quantum Racing and former Rolex Sydney –Hobart winner Bob Steele in his new Farr TP 52 Quest.

Pearson realising he was short on regatta racing experience elected to invite Sydney 2000 Soling class Olympian Neville Wittey to be the sailing master and helmsman which has proved to be a master stroke on the warm and tricky waters of the Whitsunday Islands.

Wittey know in some circles as ‘Captain Slash’ because of his personal determination to win on the race course has turned the low handicapped Arajilla into the form yacht of the competition.

Winning is never easy in the very competitive IRC class fleet and the standard has been lifted to the highest ever in the 18 year history of the Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted regatta.

 When the defending champion Ray Roberts steered Quantum Racing to a convincing win in the opening race there was a feeling that the champion crew headed by world title winning tactician Steve McConaghy was again going the set the pace.

But that changed dramatically when Arajilla showed her handicap rated speed to claim four impressive wins to presently hold a six point lead with her 5-1-1-1-1 score card.

Arajilla’ race time of 5 hours 40 minutes 30 seconds for the 34 n/ml passage race over the Airlie Beach- Saddleback Island –Airlie Beach course was not fast but it was fast enough to allow her to record another win on corrected handicap beating the Harold Clark skippered Invincible by 1 minute 34 seconds with the Michael Hiatt skippered Victorian yacht Living Doll another 49 seconds away third.

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	Event Website

Record IRC fleet to assemble at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

Mark Richards, who will skipper Bob Oatley’s 66-footer, Wild Oats X, said that the crew that wins the IRC Racing division will know they have been through a fight.

“The quality of the IRC Racing fleet is phenomenal,” Richards said. “I’ve no doubt it’s the best IRC fleet ever assembled in Australia, and there will have been no tougher regatta to win. Just look at the yachts and the calibre of the sailors manning them and you realise how intense the competition will be. At the same time it’s going to be fun, simply because it’s Race Week.”

Richards confirmed the widely held belief that at least 12 of the 23 yachts in the IRC Racing division could take the honours. In particular he likes the chances of the defending champion Wild Joe (Steven David, NSW), Beau Geste (Karl Kwok, Hong Kong), Shogun (Rob Hanna, Vic.), Living Doll (Michael Hiatt, Vic.) and Wired (Rob Bassett, New Zealand).

The challenge for Bob Oatley and the Wild Oats X team is twofold at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Apart from mounting a serious challenge for being top yacht in the IRC Racing division, this regatta will be the final preparation for the crew for the Maxi Yacht World Championship in Porto Cervo. Oatley has entered his 30-metre supermaxi, the Sydney-Hobart race record holder Wild Oats XI (pictured) in the worlds, which start just days after the completion of Race Week. The squad racing at Hamilton Island will form the nucleus of the 24 -person squad aboard Wild Oats XI in Porto Cervo.

A record fleet of 216 has entered for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, which will be staged from August 18 to 25. This is 11 more than the previous record fleet that competed two years ago.

This year the winners of all seven classes will have an equal chance of claiming Race Week’s ultimate prize, an Audi A4 Avant. Two crew from the winning yacht in each division will do a specially created driving test, and the yacht that finishes with the most points from this competition will be awarded the Audi.

Crews will also be encouraged to compete for the prestigious Prix d’Elegance Trophy, an award for the best presented yacht and crew. All yachts and crews will be judged as they exit Hamilton Island Harbour for racing on Friday, August 24.

New standards are also being set with the social agenda for sailors, their families and friends this year. Included among the many unique features are clinics with Australian tennis ace Todd Woodbridge, and the Geoff Lindsay Masterclass where everything you ever wanted to know about oysters and how to prepare them is explained. The social program and booking procedures can be viewed at the regatta website, www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s most highly awarded sailing event. It has been recognised as Queensland's ‘Best Significant Event’ at the annual Queensland Tourism Awards on three occasions, and has received two Australian Tourism Awards.

Audi, the highly successful German luxury carmaker, is now the largest supporter of sailing in Australia. One of the company’s new initiatives in the sport has led to the creation of the four-event Audi IRC Australian Championship for ocean racing yachts. The final round of this championship will be decided at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2007.

Billed as "The ‘Great’ Great Barrier Reef Island", the already highly acclaimed Hamilton Island resort is currently undergoing a major upgrade in accommodation and the development of new facilities. Among the new projects being undertaken are the establishment of a spectacular 18-hole golf course and the construction of the impressive Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club complex. The first significant development under the new plan, the luxurious waterfront boutique resort, qualia, will be unveiled during Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

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	Event Website

Changes for Sailing South Regatta 2008

The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania has made several significant changes to the format for its annual Sailing South Regatta, held in January each year following the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart Race.

The major objective of the changes is to make the regatta more convenient for local yachtsmen while at the same time retaining the interest of visiting mainland and overseas boats who have been regular competitors since Sailing South’s inception.  

The 2008 Regatta has been reduced from four to three days, from 3-5 January, which means that the Wrest Point King of the Derwent Race on 2 January will not be part of the Regatta.  The feeling of the RYCT committee and competitors is that the Wrest Point KOD is more of a fun race, sailed around permanent marks on the River Derwent and does not reflect a real racing regatta format.

First race of Sailing South Regatta 2008, on Thursday, 3 January, will start at 1500 hours, enabling local sailors to work in the morning and sail in the afternoon and utilising Tasmania’s long twilight.   There will be a full day’s racing on the Friday and Saturday which means that locals need only take off one and a half days from work.

A feature of the 2008 Regatta will be a separate division for the growing Farr 40 One Design fleet now sailing on the Derwent, while other divisions will include IRC, PHS, PHS 9 Metre Class, Sports Boats, One Design, Trailerable and Cruising Yachts.

The Advance Notice of Race for Sailing South Regatta 2008 is now available on the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania web site:  www.ryct.org.au.  The entry fee for Sailing South Regatta 2008 has also been reduced considerably, to $100 for each boat.

Go for Gold Regatta 2007

Other Links
	Go for Gold Regatta 2007
	Black Rock Yacht Club
	Yachting Victoria

CYCA crew membership now open

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Following the acceptance of a special resolution at last month’s annual general meeting, the previously dormant crew membership category has been reinvigorated and for just $195 per annum plus a one off $1 entry fee, those between 18 and 29 can now join Australia’s premier ocean racing club.

Relaunching the crew membership category is part of the club’s overall objective to nurture and promote the sport of yachting and to address the challenges associated with finding a sustainable and qualified source of crew for yacht owners.

“The CYCA’s board of directors sees this as a wonderful initiative to introduce new members who will become active offshore and inshore sailors and eventually boat owners themselves,” said Commodore Matt Allen.

Crew membership entitlements include;

- club entry
- ability to sign in one guest per visit
- members 10% discount on bar, bottle shop and merchandise purchases
- copy of the bi-monthly Offshore Yachting magazine and weekly email newsletter
- invitation to the new member’s cocktail party.

Conditions for the crew membership category include;

- no parking rights
- cannot skipper a yacht
- not eligible to attend an AGM or vote
- no berthing rights in the CYCA marina.

Once the crew member turns 30 they will automatically be upgraded to full membership and the joining fee for full membership will be waived.

The reopening of the crew membership category is an initiative of the club’s member services committee and they and the club’s board and staff will be actively promoting the benefits over the coming months.

Membership forms are now available from CYCA reception and can be downloaded from http://www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/Membership_application.07.pdf

Other Links
	CYCA website

Australia wins Silver at ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship

Team Acuity at the 2007 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship

After the completion of Round Robin 1 Team Acuity were in 3rd place, with automatic qualification into Round 3. In Round 3 they won their races 3-0 to go onto the semi-finals. Team Acuity were 2 down in the semi finals, and came back to win 3 in a row in convincing form, including a double penalty being issued to competitor Josie Gibson in Race 4.

Their opponent for the finals was World Number 1, and also local sailor to St Quay-Portrieux, Claire Leroy. Racing for the finals started at 6pm in a light 5 knot northerly. Race 1 went to Claire Leroy with a strong pre-start and lead off the pin to cross the line first. Race 2 went to Katie Spithill with a controlling prestart and lead off the line. Race 3 was an even start with both teams meeting continually up the beat and a closely covered run.  Claire Leroy led around the bottom mark and held this marginally lead to the finish to cross the line first to win her first Women’s Match Race World Title.

Spithill commented “With our team being separated this year due to different commitments we are really pleased with our result, we are very grateful for the help and support we have received from both Team Acuity and the time & effort our coach Traks Gordon has put in. For us to be able to race the World Number 1 in her home waters and home boats and take a race off her in the finals was amazing”.

Finals
Claire Leroy – FRA – 2 wins / 1 loses
Katie Spithill – AUS – 1 wins / 2 loses

Petit Finals
Lotte Melgaard Pedersen – DEN – 2 wins / 0 Loses
Josie Gibson – GBR – 0 wins / 2 loses

Final Results
1st – Claire Leroy - FRA
2nd – Katie Spithill - AUS
3rd – Lotte Melgaard Pedersen – DEN
4th – Josie Gibson – GBR
5th - Klaartje Zuiderbaan - NED
6th - Christelle Philippe - FRA
7th - Silke Hahlbrock - GER
8th -  Jessica Smythe - NZL
9th - Jenny Axhede - SWE
10th - Nicky Souter - AUS
11th - Gemma Farrell - GBR
12th - Sandy Hayes - USA

Other Links
	Event Website

2007 International Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week

Sydney 2000 Soling Olympian Neville Wittey applied the master’s touch when he steered Geoff Pearson’s Middle Harbour Yacht Club sloop Arajilla to a commanding lead in the 2007 International Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race week IRC class championship today

Wittey who is the first to acknowledge that the crew contribute to getting the yacht over the line selected all of the smarter tactical options with the variable 10-12 knot South East breeze to play a major part in formulating the successful strategy.

The Arajilla crew who sailed into title contention by winning the 28 n/ml Island passage race in similar winds on Saturday were again the masters of racing over the shorter windward leeward course on the Whitsunday Sailing Clubs Pioneer Bay courses.

Arajilla a cruising version of the successful European designed and built Archambault A35 and the smallest yacht in the fleet produced the consistent all angle sailing speed to outpace her 1.031 IRC rating winning the important third race of the series by 1 minute 23 seconds from the Victorian sloop Living Doll (Michael Hiatt) with another 34 seconds to West Australian Allan Brierty’s Limit.

They applied a similar strategy in race four starting at pace in clear wind as their larger rivals led by Bob Steele’s Farr TP 52  Quest, the New Zealand sloop Wired (Rob Bassett) and the defending champion Ray Roberts in Quantum Racing entered into another exciting match race for line honours.

Quest skilfully handled by her very experienced crew remained under constant pressure before finally drawing away to claim a 53 second win over Wired with Quantum Racing filling third place another 1-32 off the pace.

However Arajilla was again the fastest on corrected handicap claiming her third win from four races to progressively lead the championship by 4 points from Living Doll with Quest another 2 penalty points behind in third place.

Local Pioneer Bay skippers Chris Nicoll (Africa), Roger Down (True Love) and Peter Mitchelson Lorna Rose Too are poised to stage a mate against mate duel for the Performance Handicap class trophy.

Nicoll steered Africa to an important win in race three to lead the series on 17 points while his Whitsunday Sailing Club rivals True Love on 20 pts and Lorna Rose Too 21pts remain in title winning contention.

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	Event Website

Australian Olympic Committee interview with Elise Rechichi

Elise Rechichi

To read the full interview, click on the link below.

Podcasts on Darren Bundock, Michael Blackburn & Allison Shreeve are also available at the AOC website (link below).

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	AOC interview with Elise Rechichi
	AOC website

Enteries for Magnetic Island Race Week closing soon!

Magnetic Island

The inaugural Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week, which has been organised by the Townsville Cruising Yacht Club, starts on September 7th to 11th 2007 with strong entries coming from the length of Queensland and pleasing numbers coming from the southern states.

This year, from the still growing entry lists, the boat that will travel the farthest to compete is Harold Clark's highly competitive Farr 1104 Invincible, which regularly outguns her Rolex Sydney to Hobart rivals at Sailing South Week in Hobart.

The largest boat expected to be on the start line is Hogs Breath Cafe's founder Don Algie's luxuriouis pocket maxi Storm II. The Warwick 66 has won her division on many occasions at what is now Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week, now in its 18th year. This regatta is the largest sporting event in Airlie Beach each year and provides a significant boot to the region's economy.

Recognising the contribution the Far North Queensland fleets have made to Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach Race Weeks, Don Algie is keen to support the first venture into the national racing circuit being taken by Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week in 2007.

Event Founder Terry Dodds, the Managing Director of Sun Ferries and the major backer of the event commented today, 'We've been very pleased with the 2007 response, it's clear we will have a good fleet with more southern boats than we expected.

'We are taking the long term view and the exciting thing is the number of international and southern boats who have said they will be on the start line next year.'

Numbers of the 250+ race boats that will be circulating in the Whitsundays over the next two weeks, have expressed interest in the Magnetic Island series.

Amongst these are two exciting Reichel Pugh designed Melges 24s with Western Australian and American sailors keen to dip their toes in the azure blue waters of Cleveland Bay. Heath Walter's from Melges Asia-Pacific said today, ' We will try and get to Townsville and Magnetic Island this year. Right now we are scrambling for crew. '

Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Director Denis Thompson said a few minutes ago ''We have decided to extend the time for race entries as there are numbers of boats who will be racing at Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, who are keen to race at Magnetic Island but are still juggling crews.'

While this year's Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week fleet will not be huge by Whitsunday standards, the fleet is certain to grow. As New Zealander Rob Bassett, the owner of the gun boat the Bakewell White 52 Wired which will hit the start line on Airlie Beach's Pioneer Bay, said last week, 'We come 2,000 nautical miles to north Queensland to race in T-shirts in our winter; we don't want to go home, we want to be able to race a circuit.'

And a circuit they shall have! Skippers keen to experience the delights of Far North Queensland sailing can still enter, but they need to be quick!!

Other Links
	Event Website
	Registration Brochure (over 3MB file size)

Daily blogs from Laser Radial European / World Championship 2007

James Burman

There are three Australians competing at this event being Klade Hauschildt, Tom Burton and James Burman.

8th August, 2007
James reported from the event “Yesteday was a long day on the water with an unstable breeze and strong current haunting the sailors and the Race committee. The current at about 2-3 knots was pushing many sailors over the starting line as was reflected in the large number of BFD's, including Klade Hauschildt. Tom Burton got a 26th in the only race of the day, whereas I scored in the 30's, which was lucky considering I broke my mast pre start and had to borrow gear to race”.

“Day two started with a 4 hour postponement, but when racing finally took place it was in a consistent 8-12 knots of breeze. Tom scored two very promising results as did Klade, however only the provisional results have been posted. I got 3rd and 4th provisional. Tomorrow promises for tighter racing in the fleet of 204”.

9th August, 2007
James Burman reports from Laser Radial European / World Championship 2007:
"Racing today was held in a 12-18 knot Northerly, blowing straight onshore and generating some nice waves. I sailed consistently scoring 5th and 6th, though it was bittersweet considering I led the second race for the first lap. The close racing at the top once again proved testing as anyone in the top bunch could claim race victory".

"Fellow Australian's Klade Hauschildt and Tom Burton had placings in the 20's and early 30's. Danish sailorThorbjoern Schierup leads convincingly with four race wins, however it is early days and there is still plenty of time to climb the leaderboard. Looking forward to some more tough racing tomorrow in simliar conditions".

12th August, 2007
"Last day of radial youth worlds was really tough. There was about 6-8 knots but the breeze was very unstable and the strong current made it even more tricky. Tom Burton had a great day scoring a 6th place in race 9 and had another great race in race 10, taking advantage of the close overall standings and moving well up the rankings. His handle of the conditions saw him round the top mark in first place, but unfortunately lost a few places throughout the race. This topped off a great regatta for Tom who finished 42nd. My day wasn't good, I finished 44th and 48th in the races and ended up 6th overall".

"Looking forward to getting home and regrouping before i continue my training towards Terrigal worlds".

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	Event Website

Mumm 30 class to race with RSYS this season

The Mumm 30s will race within the Squadron’s prestigious Division 1 fleet, but will have their own pointscore and season trophy.

A strong line-up is expected, with the Squadron considering proposals from Mumm 30 owners to conduct the 2008 Australian championship and also make a bid for the 2009 World championship.

Designed by Bruce Farr, the Mumm 30 is a fast and exciting boat to race with strong fleets in the USA and Europe, where the 2007 World Championship will be sailed at Porto Cervo, Sardinia in early October.

Australians have done exceptionally well on the international scene in the Mumm 30 class, with Squadron member Richard Perini winning a World championship and current Australian champion Bruce Eddington winning the Mumm 30 class at the famous Key West Race Week.

“The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron extends an invitation to all Mumm 30 owners to join in racing together as a fleet every Saturday in the Main Series or every other Saturday in the Short Series,” says Guy Stening, owner/skipper of Optimumm.

“Sydney Harbour offers some of the best yacht racing in the World, with the Squadron noted for the efficiency of its race management.

“You do not have to be a RSYS member of participate; all Mumm 30 owners are welcome,” said Stening,  adding that five boats had already responded positively and a sixth was expected to also join the fleet by the time the season opened.

The Notice of Race/Entry Form for the RSYS Spring/Summer season is now available from the RSYS Sailing Office – Phone 9017 0150 or email – sailing@rsys.com.au.

The Squadron’s Spring Season opens on Saturday, 1 September and continues through to 15 December, with the Summer Season running from 19 January to 5 April.

In addition to Division 1 and the Mumm 30 OD boats, the Squadron this season will be conducting racing for Division 2, 3 and 4 mixed handicap yachts and for Etchells, Dragon and Yngling One Design classes.

The Squadron also invites members from other clubs to compete in the Spring/Summer Series of mixed handicap and one design racing on Sydney Harbour.

Other Links
	RSYS

Splash Gordon wins third leg of Audi IRC Australian Championship

Stephen Ellis' Splash Gordon racing hard for the prize

Other Links
	Audi Australia

News from NSW Maritime

Powerboats on Sydney Harbour
It has been announced there is a event in world power boating may be coming to Sydney Harbour.

The exciting global event - Class One Powerboat World Championship, which has been the leading event in the world of international power boating over the past 25 years - would once again see Sydney placed on the world map, and provide an economic boost to the State.

The visually spectacular sport would see 14m long powerboats of about 1800 horse-power racing at about 250km per hour across Sydney Harbour.

Any proposed course on the Harbour would provide fantastic free vantage points to spectators, although safety would be the Government’s primary focus with very tough measures to be put in place to control boating traffic.

NSW Maritime, as the regulator of the Harbour, would be involved in controlling other boating traffic on these event days.

You're the Skipper. You're Responsible!
A safety awareness initiative aimed at the boating community was launched at the Sydney International Boat Show.

The 'You’re the Skipper. You're Responsible' campaign is designed to encourage all recreational operators to take responsibility for their actions on the water.

Boat operators, or skippers, are responsible for the safety of their vessel and the people on board.

A lack of judgment, alcohol and excessive speed are the biggest contributing factors in reported boating incidents across the State.

NSW Maritime aims to help reduce boating incidents by raising the awareness of boat skippers.

Skippers need to be constantly aware of their responsibilities on the waterways, continually observing maritime regulations and safety requirements.

The NSW Government will use the new campaign as an educational tool online, and promoted through the Boating Safety Course and incorporated in radio and television advertising for the coming boating season.

The message will also be mailed to 200,000 people through the boat registration renewal process.

To further promote safety, five key marine safety organisations are hosting a stand at the Sydney International Boat Show in Darling Harbour. These organisations include NSW Maritime, the Water Police, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard.

Cutting red tape and protecting our marine environment
New guidelines clarifying when repair work, improvements or new infrastructure investment will be considered on Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla harbours take effect in August.

This streamlined procedure for leaseholders is about meeting our commitment to reduce red tape without reducing environmental or planning protections.

Before receiving permission from NSW Maritime to lodge a development application for a maritime structure, applicants must prove several points about the location of the structure.

These uses include safety for marine navigation and the intended uses of the structure.

After receiving permission to lodge a development application from the landowner (NSW Maritime), the applicant can then prepare and lodge their DA with the relevant Local Government or State authority for assessment. 

The new policy emphasises that permission from NSW Maritime to lodge an application with State or local consent authorities does not mean the application will be approved.

Development Applications must be lodged with State or local consent authorities so they can be subjected to strict environmental and planning assessments.

Assessments encompass protection of marine flora and fauna, detailed inspections of the structure’s effect on public foreshore access and preservation of public views. These assessments are important for the protection of our maritime environment and they remain unchanged.

Under the old system, the applicant effectively had to undergo the DA process twice, once with NSW Maritime and then repeat the process with the authority that has the responsibility to approve DAs. The State Government is reducing red tape by removing the duplication of that assessment.

The procedure, titled ‘Obtaining Permission to Lodge a Development Application’ was formerly known as ‘Land Owner’s Consent’ and sets requirements for meeting clause 49(1)(b) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, regarding who can lodge an application.

The draft procedure was publicly exhibited in 2006-07. A total of 155 submissions were received, of which 124 supported the draft policy, 22 were opposed and 9 did not state a view. All comments and recommendations were considered in developing the final procedure adopted by the Government.

Copies of the revised procedure are available on the NSW Maritime website at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Community to comment on revised Harbourside Lease Policy
NSW Maritime has invited public comment on a review of the administration of private waterfront leases in Sydney Harbour.

The review relates to private structures such as jetties and pontoons, and the views of the community are an important part of the process.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal formula for rentals of waterfront facilities has been applied by NSW Maritime for more than two years.

Over these two years, there have been concerns about the ‘precincts’ part of the formula from the community. The NSW Government has listened, using community feedback to review the leasing policies.

This review aims to improve transparency in lease decisions, as well as providing security of tenure for lease holders.

The review balances improvements for lessees with ensuring the Government obtains a reasonable return on behalf of the community.

Other administrative proposals include the following:

·         the option of a three-year lease or a 20-year lease;

·         using an ‘Individual’ Statutory Land Value instead of a ‘Precinct’ Statutory Land Value in calculating rent to better align rent with the value of specific properties;

·         a three-year rolling average of Statutory Land Valuations for rent calculations to smooth rent changes resulting from a revaluation;

·         clarifying the rules for existing use rights and removal of structures;

·         improvement of hardship provisions and

·         a cap on any annual rent increases at $2500 (including GST) plus CPI to replace the confusing formula currently being applied.

The arrangements are open for public comment until 6 September 2007. A full copy of the proposed changes are at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au.

Other Links
	NSW Maritime Website

Youth crew berths available now on Young Endeavour

Applications are now being accepted for youth crew for sailing adventures in 2008.  But hurry, applications for voyages in the first half of 2008 close on 30 September.

You can sail into Sydney Harbour in the thick of the Australia Day celebrations, migrate north to Cairns with the whales or take on the challenge of Bass Strait.

You can also look forward to increasing your self-awareness, developing your leadership and communication skills and doing it all whilst experiencing the outdoors at its best.

Young Australians aged 16 to 23 are eligible to take part in an 11-day Young Endeavour voyage.
In 2008 you have the opportunity to set sail from Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne, Southport, Bundaberg, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Magnetic Island, Hamilton Island, Gladstone, Brisbane, Sydney, Eden, Adelaide and Devonport.

Along the way you will also explore beautiful and remote coastal areas of Australia.
Young Endeavour is staffed by professional crew, whose experience and love of sailing goes a long way to ensuring you have the experience of a lifetime. Sailing experience is not necessary, in fact most youth crew have never sailed before.

Former youth crew member Katherine Ngo said about her voyage: "It’s a completely different experience from normal life and gives you great lessons about teamwork and leadership."

Aaron Beck echoes Katherine in saying "I strongly recommend applying for this amazing adventure to everyone. It prepares you for more than taking control of a ship and brings out the best aspects in you that you will need during your life".

So what are you waiting for? Apply now, www.youngendeavour.gov.au or call 1800 020 444 and get ready to take on the adventure of a lifetime!

Other Links
	Young Endeavour Website

Walker snatches victory in the Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing Championship

Evan Walker, Sean O’Rourke and Josh Cornford celebrate victory

Walker just scraped into round robin between the top six teams this morning and then made it into the semi-final stage on a countback before fighting his way through to sail in the final against Will Ryan’s team, which up to that point had a perfect scorecard after two days of racing.

While Will Ryan, Jay Griffin and Jono English won the first match of the finals series, Walker put up a valiant fight. Walker was over at the start but managed to reclaim the lead by the top mark. Showing superior downwind speed, Ryan then managed to pass Walker before the bottom mark and maintain the lead to record his fifteenth consecutive win.

Then Walker came back to win the second match, levelling the scores at one all.

In the words of chief umpire Andrew Baglin, the final match was an amazing race.

Following an even start, Walker took the early lead with the first starboard cross, the two Elliott 6s never more than a boat length apart. The deciding moment of the match occurred just after the final mark rounding when Ryan was penalised during a tactical duel. This gave Walker the space he needed to take the title.

In an all CYCA finals series, Jamie Woods and his crew of Byron White and Jeremy Wawn defeated Will McKenzie and his team 2-0 in the petit final.

Mateship did not stand in the way of these CYCA teams as they battled each other in the semi-finals.

Disappointingly for Sam Sexton, who commenced the final day in fourth position, his battle with Walker became the defining moment of the regatta for Walker. In a fresh to frightening, shifty and gusty Sydney sou’wester, Sexton led down the first run. Walker initiated a gybing duel but lost control and broached, giving Sexton a sizable lead at the bottom mark. Experience and perseverance on Walker’s behalf brought him back in touch with Sexton by the top mark where again Walker initiated a gybing duel. This time it was Sexton who was left laid flat on a broach as Walker took the win. This enabled Walker to scrape into the semi finals.

After a strong first day, Will McKenzie was only able to win one of his matches on the final day. In similar fashion, RSYS’s Ian Quartly was only able to secure victory once in his race against RPAYC’s Sexton to finish fifth overall.

At this afternoon’s trophy presentation, CYCA Vice Commodore Garry Linacre thanked the sponsor, Club Marine, for their ongoing support of the youth sailing at the CYCA, noting that it was fitting for the Elliott 6 sponsored by Club Marine to be in the final.

Other Links
	Full results
	Video highlights

Last boat finishes Audi Sydney Mackay Yacht Race

crew of Tartan, the last boat to finish the Audi Sydney Mackay Yacht Race

Tartan was one of 72 yachts which left Sydney Harbour last Saturday afternoon following the start of the Audi Sydney Mackay and Audi Sydney Gold Coast yacht races. The Audi Sydney Gold Coast fleet pulled in to port at Southport while four yachts passed through the finish line and continued on to Mackay. Tartan was the last to finish, at 6.50am this morning, marking the end of the longest ocean race in Australia.

Skipper Ian Sanford was delighted with the outcome of his first ocean race, “no breakages, no seasickness and the crew of long term friends are still long term friends” but wasn’t as thrilled with being becalmed off Fraser Island for a day and a half.

Frontrunners Limit and Sailors with disAbilities had sufficient wind and therefore boat speed to take on the 1.5 knot opposing current with little resistance but by the time Amante and Tartan reached Fraser Island there was barely a breeze blowing.

Engine trouble two days out from the finish left Tartan powerless. Luckily for them the wind again filled in from the south and they surfed towards the finish in a 30 knot sou’wester, recording a top boat speed of 11.5 knots.

Dennis Cooper’s Amante was the third to finish, at 1.51am this morning.

The official race prizegiving was held this afternoon where the IRC and line honours trophy went to Alan Brierty’s Limit and the PHS handicap trophy to David Pescud’s Sailors with disAbilities.

Other Links
	Event Website
	Audi Australia

Corby 49 'Limit' takes line honours at Audi Sydney Mackay Yacht Race

Alan Brierty (left) and Roger Hickman following their arrival at Mackay this morning

Amazingly, it was a following race for almost the entire 898 nautical miles with only seven or so hours of racing without a spinnaker.

Sailing master Roger Hickman and owner Alan Brierty were delighted to beat the small fleet to the finish line at Mackay and importantly, Brierty was able to jump on a 10am flight back to Perth where he is due to attend a black tie function tonight. Brierty is a finalist for the Ernst & Young 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year and the Western Region award ceremony is being held tonight.

Hickman had a couple of coastal pick ups arranged if they’d run out of time to put Brierty on a flight home but in the end, they had a whole hour and a half to spare.

“We were racing the other boats but we were also racing the clock,” admitted Hickman.

“It’s the longest coastal race in Australia and Alan and the crew are proud to have completed the course. We began last Saturday from Sydney Harbour in plenty of pressure and between Southport and the finish line at Mackay, the sailing was perfect with a full moon guiding us each night, spectacular scenery and 8-10 knot sou’easters for most of the way.

“As we went north, the wet weather gear was slowly replaced by t-shirts and shorts,” Hickman said this morning.

Approaching the finish line at daybreak this morning, a still half asleep Brierty poked his head out of the cabin and thought the crew had played a joke on him. With more than 70 container ships at anchor off Haye Point at Mackay, in his confused and tired state, Brierty thought they were back sailing off Newcastle on the NSW coast reported a laughing Hickman.

The next boat due to finish is David Pescud’s Sailors with disAbilities, due around 3pm this afternoon.

Dennis Cooper’s Amante is the third boat expected to finish, their ETA currently the afternoon of 4 August, followed by Ian Sanford’s Tartan.

The Audi Sydney Mackay fleet can be monitored via Google Earth at this link http://mackay.cyca.com.au/ge/cyca_smackay_yachtrace.kml

Other Links
	Official race website
	Audi Australia

Record Fleet for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

The magic number of 206 came today when Melbourne yachtsman, Michael Hiatt, registered his recently modified Cookson 50, Living Doll, for the IRC Racing division.

And now, with Race Director Denis Thompson having decided to extend the closing date for entries beyond the original deadline of Friday, August 3, there is a chance that more than 210 yachts will be on the water when competition starts on August 18.

All Australian states, the USA, Hong Kong and New Zealand are represented across the seven racing classifications, and as expected the Cruising division (97 entries) and Non-Spinnaker Cruising division (12 entries) combine to make up the bulk of the fleet.

The entire fleet in this 24th edition of the award winning regatta reflects the wide-ranging appeal of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. The IRC Racing division (23 entries) is a magnificent cross-section of some of the best offshore sailors and ocean racing yachts in the world, while at the other end of the spectrum, in the cruising divisions, the crews are there to win as much as they are to have a fun time.

Michael Hiatt said that he hoped it was an omen for Race Week when he was told today that Living Doll’s entry was the one that broke the fleet record set two years ago.

“It’s been a race for us already,” Hiatt said, “so being entry 206 is a bit like having a win before we start. We’ve completely re-built the boat in recent months, even replaced the canting keel with a fixed fin and bulb, and it was only a couple of weeks ago that we knew we were going to be ready for Race Week.

“Now we can’t wait to get to Race Week and see how we go against the opposition. The fleet in the IRC Racing division is exceptional and there are a lot of good boats racing that are similar in size to Living Doll, so the pressure is going to be on.”

Denis Thompson also announced today that if favourable tide and wind conditions prevailed then all the around-the-islands races would be starting and finishing in Dent Passage, immediately adjacent to the site of the Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club, which is currently under construction. The Sailing Instructions will be posted on the regatta website this week - www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

This year all crews will be encouraged to compete for the prestigious Prix d’Elegance Trophy, an award for the best presented yacht and crew. All yachts and crews will be judged as they exit Hamilton Island Harbour for racing on Friday, August 24.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week organisers have been encouraged by the great response shown already by sailors, their families and friends to this year’s expanded social agenda. Bookings have already been strong for a number of functions. Details of the social and sailing schedules for the week can be viewed on the website.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s most highly awarded sailing event. It has been recognised as Queensland's ‘Best Significant Event’ at the annual Queensland Tourism Awards on three occasions, and has received two Australian Tourism Awards.

Audi, the highly successful German luxury carmaker, is now the largest supporter of sailing in Australia. One of the company’s new initiatives in the sport has led to the creation of the four-event Audi IRC Australian Championship for ocean racing yachts. The final round of this championship will be decided at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2007.

Billed as "The ‘Great’ Great Barrier Reef Island", the already highly acclaimed Hamilton Island resort is currently undergoing a major upgrade in accommodation and the development of new facilities. Among the new projects being undertaken are the establishment of a spectacular 18-hole golf course and the construction of the impressive Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club complex. The first significant development under the new plan, the luxurious waterfront boutique resort, qualia, will be unveiled during Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

Other Links
	Event Website
	Audi Australia