Sail Port Stephens 2011 - NCYC's Newcastle race

by Sail Port Stephens media on 10 Apr 2011 Today's Newcastle Cruisng Yacht Club's (NCYC) race was an organised 'lead in' race to Sail Port Stephens 2011 and followed the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s Pittwater to Newcastle race.

Principal Race Officer Dianne Fitzgerald detailed the start. 'The wind was 15 knots from the nor west. We had a delayed start for shipping movement. The fleet was warned so everyone moved aside and allowed this huge coal ship to come through. Not long after it cleared Dyke Point yachts started forming the line. They took their positions and got ready, so we had a fabulous start with the line stretched across Newcastle Harbour.

'NCYC Commodore Phill Arnell's Anger Management, the Corby 43 took line honours and ColorTile came in second. It was a wonderful effort for the ColorTile team. The yacht sailed up from Geelong and arrived at Newcastle Marina on Friday 8th at 3am.

'On Saturday afternoon the race crew took her out off Newcastle Harbour to have a practice sail so today was her first race.

'Third was John McNamara´s Farr 40 Iota, then came Margaret Rintoul V followed by Rumb, a Vismara 43.'

Soon after the last boat in this race sailed into Port Stephens a strong line of storms crossed the coast, however conditions quickly eased. The first race in the Commodores Cup is scheduled to start at 1230 on Monday.

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The Commodores Cup begins Monday 11th and will be sailed over three days on three picturesque Bay courses.

Thursday’s lay day allows the Commodores Cup racers a day of leisure, as the action heats up again on Friday 15th with the Yachting NSW IRC Championship and the Port Stephens Trophy, which will feature both Racing and Cruising divisions.

This year Sail Port Stephens will incorporate the SB3 Australian Championship. At least four crews will be heading for the SB3 Worlds in Britain just two weeks after the Nationals.

Australian Olympian, 49er and Moth World Champion Nathan Outteridge and Glen Bourke, three times Laser World Champion and multiple UK SB3 National Champion, are predicted to lead this very high quality fleet.

For more information on Sail Port Stephens please go to http://www.sailportstephens.com.au