02/04/2024 // by Mark Rothfield More information: sailfest.com.au
An elite fleet of offshore racing thoroughbreds is assembling at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) this week ahead of the Australian Yachting Championships starting Friday, April 5, as part of the annual Newcastle SailFest Regatta.
Included will be a dozen TP52s, the largest ever gathering of these grand-prix yachts in Australia, plus two mixed divisions that boast a number of highly credentialled state and club champions.
Race organisers at the NCYC believe it is the strongest offshore fleet ever to race in the region.
“We’ve held the Australian Yachting Championships previously but the event has grown in stature since then, and we’ve never had such a strong TP52 presence,” NCYC CEO Paul O’Rourke says.
“Secret Men’s Business [ a TP52] has been trucked here from South Australia to defend its national title and will face Marcus Blackmore’s brand new Hooligan, along with a number of other top-flight contenders in that class.
“At the moment the Friday forecast is looking challenging but we’re looking forward to seeing some world-class racing both off the coast and inside the Harbour over the weekend.”
Weather-permitting, there will be an in-harbour start for the TP52s and offshore divisions from around 11.30am on Saturday, accompanied by a firing of Fort Scratchley’s 80-pound gun. Queens Wharf will provide the best vantage point as the yachts leave the port for an offshore passage race before returning to the finish.
Read more here // https://www.mysailing.com.au/elite-fleet-set-to-contest-nationals-in-newcastle/?fbclid=IwAR2HWOy32vinkPliB-19nqu2cwk01unL_uvC_RcGil3raUMRJsPl2wlosnM_aem_Aa3EMsu485C2pucxjDe_xwvkOVsuckfC1315LkXv9uiXhS8NF_WhXFdDJ3zTmqfwcb5P6NEaWlL25RhP66uF1J0_
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