sail-world.com -- Preparations on track for Melges 24 Nationals in Geelong
Preparations on track for Melges 24 Nationals in Geelong
Thu, 20 Dec 2012
Melges 24 teams are busy in preparation around the country for the sixth Melges 24 Australian Championships in January. Royal Geelong Yacht Club will host the Championships in conjunction with the popular annual regatta event the Festival of Sails.
Last November it was confirmed at the IMCA (International Melges 24 Class Association) AGM in Helsinki that RGYC will host the 2014 Melges 24 World Championships, the event running during and following the Festival of Sails. The Melges 24 Worlds have only ever been held in Europe or the USA, this is a big accomplishment for the RGYC, the Australian M24 Association and the builder/distributor Melges Asia Pacific.
The upcoming Championships in Geelong will give owners new to the Australian fleet the opportunity to get acquainted with Corio Bay and get some valuable one design race time in prior to the 2014 Worlds. One team keen to test themselves in the Australian fleet is AUS 514 Adrenaline owned by Hamish Nicol. After living in the USA for the last fourteen years Hamish has moved back to his birthplace of Adelaide.
Hamish purchased Adrenaline not long before moving back to Australia after stepping down from his J105 and up from an Nacra F20.
Adrenaline was USA 514 and campaigned by its former owners successfully on the US East Coast for a number of years before being laid-up in 2009.
Recommissioned by Nicol in the US early in 2012 the boat then came to Australia to join the growing South Australian fleet.
Adrenaline will be helmed in Geelong by Brett Young, former World Tasar Champion and most recently successfully running the campaign for Andrew Saies' 'Two True', corrected time overall Hobart winner in 2010.
The South Australian Melges 24 fleet were tested recently when Adelaide Sailing Club ran a sprint series for the class the first weekend in December, over three days. A busy weekend of racing for the club and 35 knots on the Saturday kept everyone busy Dan O’Connell Foxtrot leading at the end of the five race series.
Hamish Nicol commented on the growth of the class 'The boats are fantastic, Adelaide has the best sea breeze in the world and I’m committed to help build the class in South Australia'.
'Adrenaline will be amongst a strong line up at Geelong including five South Australian teams looking to claim the Australian Champion title.'
Burke Marine
Burke Marine, suppliers of international quality marine clothing and equipment, was founded by Martin Burke on the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1971. Visit our website for your nearest stockist. [More info]
http://www.burkemarine.com.au
Ensign Ship Brokers
Ensign Ship Brokers was established in 1980 and has spent the last 28 years expanding our marine knowledge and developing our reputation! We strive to provide the very best service! [More info]
http://www.ensignbrokers.com.au/
GME Standard Communications Pty Ltd
Leaders in communications and navigation. Their goal has always been to make products whose innovation, convenience and peace of mind can help improve the lives of their customers. [More info]
http://www.gme.net.au
Hamilton Island Luxury Accommodation
Full range of private apartments, villas and houses on Hamilton Island. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 bedroom options available. All include buggy and island airport or marina transfers. [More info]
http://www.whitsundayholidays.com.au
Multihull Solutions
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand’s premier offshore and cruising catamaran and trimaran specialist, offering sales and servicing of the world’s finest multihull brands.
[More info]
http://www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Navionics Australia
Navionics is proud of its superb cartographic database comprising more than 25,000 charts and port plans; the largest privately owned database of its kind, the only one using full seamless technology [More info]
http://www.navionics.com.au
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Performance Sailcraft Australia (Asia Pacific)
Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region. [More info]
http://www.lasersailing.com.au
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
2013 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is Australasia's most significant marine lifestyle event. We look forward to welcoming you to the 25th annual event. [More info]
http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Ullman Sails
For over 45 years, Ullman Sails has been devoted to helping our customers reach their sailing goals. [More info]
http://www.ullmansails.com
VicSail Sydney
Vicsail Sydney Pty Ltd, launched into the Australian sailing fraternity in 1983 and has been sailing strong ever since. At Vicsail, “We Sail the Boats We Sell”. [More info]
http://www.vicsailsydney.com.au