sail-world.com -- Festival of Sails 2013 - Entries keep coming for Geelong regatta
Festival of Sails 2013 - Entries keep coming for Geelong regatta
Tue, 8 Jan 2013
The Festival of Sails 2013 has now recorded more than 200 entries and the number of boats participating is expected to get even higher in the succeeding weeks before the opening of the biggest keelboat regatta in Australia.
Peter Kalin’s Noelex 30, No Strings Attached, from the Albury Wodonga Yacht Club was the lucky 200th entry. Swiss born Kalin is excited about the milestone, and the prospect of defending last year’s Noelex division win in just over a fortnight’s time.
Kalin, a multiple Festival of Sails entrant, is anticipating a six to eight boat Noelex 30 Series line-up and with his crew of five, all Albury locals, is looking forward to the usual variety of racing the event offers.
'We enjoy the competition and the different types of sailing with the short and longer courses. We especially enjoy the passage race from Melbourne to Geelong,' said the skipper.
'We’ll tow the boat down from Albury a couple of days before the regatta to do a bit of cruising, and suss out the opposition.'
Kalin moved to Australia 33 years ago and to Albury for the fresh water sailing and the proximity to the mountains and winter snow. 'It’s what we are used to,' he said of the easy access to the snowfields. They seem a long way from this week’s 40 degree days that have the NSW/Victorian border town baking and Kalin only able to work on his boat in the early morning before the searing heat forces him indoors.
RGYC sailing manager Rod Hagebols says numbers are still ahead on last year, 205 yesterday afternoon compared to 167 at the same time last year.
From this Friday, January 11, a late entry fee will apply and the club’s sailing office staff and volunteers are bracing themselves for the rush. 'We know there‘s a tremendous amount of work about to come,' said Hagebols who, with his team, is working six days a week, eight to twelve hours a day to stay on top of the paperwork and logistics.
The skipper’s packs are being prepared and the jury is in place to sort out any differences of opinion over four days of racing.
Coordinating volunteers for an event the size of the Festival of Sails is another mammoth task and while entries might be up on last year, volunteer numbers could do with a boost.
'Ninety have signed up so far, our target is 150,' added Hagebols who is encouraging anyone interested in volunteering to go to the website Festival of Sails 2013 and click on the volunteer link.
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