Audi Victoria Week sailboat auction raises $22,100 for charity

by Vanessa Dudley on 27 Jan 2010 The generous donation of a high tech racing sailboat by an Australian company has raised $22,100 for the international children’s charity, Variety.

McConaghy Boats, a world leader in racing yacht and dinghy production, signed on as a partner of Australia’s largest sailing event, Audi Victoria Week, and donated a Mach 2 Moth racer valued at close to $20,000 to be auctioned on eBay to raise money for international children’s charity, Variety.

The auction was launched on Thursday 21 January and ran until midday today. There were 34 bids, steadily rising in value in the early days and accelerating in a flurry of online activity over the past 48 hours.

The identity and location of the successful bidder have not been released at this stage.

The successful bidder will receive a complete boat including the carbon fibre hull, spars and foils, sail, covers and wooden travel box. Also included is one day of lessons (where available) and free entry into the first bidder’s first regatta in this competitive international class.

The Mach 2 is produced by McConaghy from the Australian company’s large new factory in Zhuhai, China. The first one was sailed in the 2009 Australian Moth championships at Geelong last January, and during the 12 months since then no less than 85 have been sold, and the new design has won both the Australian and World championships in the class.

The owners of McConaghy, Mark Evans and Jono Morris, said the aim of their partnership with Audi Victoria Week is to support the sport of sailing and benefit the community.

Variety is Audi Victoria Week’s official charity and proceeds from the auction will provide equipment, facilities and experiences for children with special needs.

For more information, visit www.victoriaweek.com

Vanessa Dudley, Audi Victoria Week media