Weekly Sailing Summary

Summary for w/b - 11 July, 2006 12pm

Gypsy Moth IV will be at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney, and open to the public for viewing and tours from July 14 - 16.

Queensland Government South Pacific Boomerang - The Volvo 60 Andrew Short Marine-Club Marine finished the 1850 nautical mile Melbourne to Vanuatu race, winning line honours, her division and setting a race record of 7 days, 17 hours and 6 minutes.

The 2006 BMW Sydney Winter Series pointscore sailed slowly - very slowly, in fact - to an end on the Harbour as fickle winter winds went up and down in strength, here and there and everywhere in direction.

Queensland yachtsman Matthew Percy will have just two weeks to learn the ropes on his new Beneteau 44.7 Alacrity before he lines up for the start of the Sydney Mackay Yacht Race on Saturday July 29.

The Inner Circle Polar Challenge was run in a lovely little sou'westerly. The concept - hit a given longitude at any point, then turn and bolt for home. Adjusting for the current and how the breeze may shift is the trick to a good race. The Short Handed Sailing Association of Australia was pleased to have 14 starters this year, and the competition was as fierce as ever!

Two SECUMAR Survival 150N life jackets with harnesses were presented to the winners of the inaugural SECUMAR Sydney to Botany Bay race - Peter McCorquodale and Rob Evans.

The Intermediate Youth Team from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club sealed a hat trick of regatta wins by securing victory at the 3rd Inter Club Challenge held at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

INTERNATIONAL
Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race - The fleet started the Transatlantic race from New York to Jersey on July 6.

Tour de France a la Voile - Paul McKenzie and his team Perpignan-Mediterranee are third in Class Two. Other Australians onboard include his brother Tony McKenzie and Michael Dunstan.

Locman Cup - Elba Island, Stage 8 of the 2005-'06 World Tour, will be held at Porto Azzurro, Elba Island, Italy on July 11-17, 2006.

MULTIHULLS
Five Queensland teams will represent Australia in the F18 Catamaran World Titles in Hyeres, France on July 9 - 16.

The Outright Transatlantic West to East World Record set by the 120ft catamaran Orange II with Bruno Peyron and eleven crew has been ratified by the WSSC as 4 days, 8 hours, 23 minutes 54 seconds with an average speed of 28 knots. Damage to the rudder delayed their finish by an estimated six to eight hours. 

Singapore Airlines have substantially lowered their ticket prices to fly to Australia and also offer 50kg free excess baggage for competitors in Sail Melbourne 2007 events.

Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), UK. Racing starts July 14. A team from Australia will be competing.

Yngling World Championship, La Rochelle, France. Monica Azon, Sandra Azon and Graciela Pisonero ESP win the women's event. Nicky Bethwaite, Karin Gojnich and Helen Impey AUS placed 15th.

Allan Witt is the winner of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival's Derwent Skiff Design Competition against very keen competition from 17 Tasmanian, interstate and overseas designers. The design entries will be on show during the Festival on February 9 - 12, 2007. Expressions of interest to build the first-off-the-line boat during the Festival are currently being invited.

The Australian National Maritime Museum, on Sydney's Darling Harbour, notched up record visitor numbers in the last financial year.

Nominations are invited for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2006 - The pinnacle award of recognition in the sport of sailing. Anyone can nominate a sailor and all nominations must be submitted on the official nomination form. For link to form and list of previous winners see

MARINE INDUSTRY NEWS
Yachting New South Wales announces the appointment of Andrew Cribb as their new Development Officer.

Sweden's Volvo Penta acquires Eastern Engine Pty Ltd, an authorised Volvo Penta importer and distributor for almost 20 years, located in Brisbane.

Spinlock announces that Harken Australia will distribute the company's entire line of marine deck hardware in Australia from August 1, 2006.

Australia's boat manufacturing sector under threat but overall the industry has never been busier. Peter Jenkins, marketing manager for Maritimo has scoffed at suggestion the boating industry is "doing it tough".

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
July 20 - 23 -- Trading Post Adelaide Boat Show, Adelaide Convention Centre.

Aug 3 - 8 -- Sydney International Boat Show, Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.

More information at

Photo: Gipsy Moth IV