NSW Metropolitan Championships - Laser sailing comes to Lane Cove

by Peter May on 26 Feb 2014 Lane Cove 12’ Sailing Skiff Club in conjunction with the NSW and ACT District Laser Association will be hosting the NSW Metropolitan Championship. Held over two days, the event will be open to Laser, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 divisions.

James Stewart, Laser Class Secretary for Lane Cover Lasers says: 'Our Lane Cove Club regularly puts up to 25 lasers weekly onto the water each Saturday. But this is the first time we have had the opportunity to host a Laser event of this size. We are looking at maybe 80 boats (or more) from NSW and the ACT. After Saturday’s racing we’ll be inviting all sailors to join us on the deck at the Club for a free sausage sizzle and presentation of the days’ results. On Sunday, there will food and refreshments for the final presentations. This will be a great event.'

The course will be set on the relatively open waters on the Parramatta River between Long Nose and Clarkes Point against the great backdrop of historic Cockatoo Island and the prestige suburbs of Balmain, Birchgrove, Hunters Hill, Greenwich and Woolwich. The PRO for the event will be Col Chidgey.

All are welcome and the event is open to sailors of Standard Rigs (Open, Under 21, Apprentice, Master, Grand Master and Great Grand Master divisions); Radial Rig (Open, Under 19, Apprentice, Master, Grand Master, Great Grand Master divisions) and an Open 4.7 division.

Sailors can register now at http://www.laser.asn.au

'Laser sailing is increasing in popularity all the time, and following on from other recent successful events like the Coast Championship at South Lakes, State Masters at Port Stephensand the State Championship at Georges River we are really excited to be at Lane Cove for this Metropolitan Championship. This course offers a little bit of everything and will be a challenge as well as a spectacle on the inner Harbour'.

There will also be the opportunity of fantastic spectator viewing in the Lane Cove River, as well from Clarkes Point and Greenwich Sailing Club.

All Championship racing will be outside the Lane Cove River, but to get the competition warmed up there will be a pre-Championship 'Dash for Cash' prizes on the Saturday. Starting in the Lane Cove River outside the Clubhouse and finishing just through the shifty winds and testing waters of Humbug Reach, at the entrance to the Parramatta River and inner harbor. Humbug Reach was clearly named by someone who knew a bit about sailing as anyone who has sailed in the Lane Cove River appreciates!

Registration will be done at Lane Cove 12’ Sailing Skiff Club clubhouse. For those rigging away from the Club at Hunters Hill Sailing Club or other venues SMS sign on and off will be available on 0427146400.

There will be limited rigging space available at Lane Cove 12’ Skiff Sailing Club at Longueville Wharf, Stuart St, Longueville, as well as at the Hunters Hill Sailing Club, Merrington Place, Woolwich.

The Lane Cove Club plans to have security patrols outside its Club area overnight on the Saturday eighth March.

Lane Cove 12’Sailing Skiff Club is located on the shores of the Lane Cove River, next to Longueville Wharf. The Club takes as its origin a program for the Lane Cove Sailing Club for the 1896/97 season. In that year the club conducted races for yachts, boats over 15 feet and boats under 15 feet. A copy of the first program now hangs in the Clubhouse. Every Saturday during the season the Club sails 12 foot Skiffs, Cherubs, Lasers, Flying Elevens and Sabots (for which the Club holds regular Learn to sail events). The first Lasers sailed at lane Cove in 1974. For more information see: http://www.lc12ftssc.org.au

For further information contact: James Stewart, Laser Class Secretary, james.stewart@lc12ssc.org.au