Vaucluse Regatta expected to attract record fleet

by Erin McKnight on 18 Feb 2013 The 81st edition of the Vaucluse Regatta will be held this Saturday 23 February, and is expected to attract an anticipated record fleet of up to 90 Lasers, as well as an eclectic mix of yachts and other dinghies. The Vaucluse Yacht Club and event sponsors SLAM, Winning Appliances and NB Sail Sports invite owners of yachts, OK dinghies, Vee-Esses, Lasers and Laser Radials / 4.7s to compete in three races starting from Watsons Bay.

Last year, the Vaucluse Regatta saw an International fleet of Lasers including entrants from Norway and Singapore, as well as other local clubs.

Already boasting a strong Laser fleet with many top notch sailors, the impressive Vaucluse contingent will be strengthened further with the addition of competitors from other Sydney clubs for the day, which also happens to be the latest rendition of the Vaucluse – Double Bay Laser Challenge. The Challenge is a friendly rivalry between sister clubs, where results of all competitors from each club count towards the overall Challenge Trophy.

Fresh from competing in the Laser Masters State Championships, many of Vaucluse’s Laser and Laser Radial competitors will throw down the gauntlet and challenge the Double Bay sailors in the final episode of this series. Double Bay has held the trophy consecutively for several years, and won the first heat of the Challenge held earlier this season, proving that Vaucluse will need to sail strongly in order to win the series.

The OK Dinghy and Vee Ess fleets will also compete in three short back-to-back sprint races, with early indications of good competition and close racing. The yacht fleet will be a combination of regular Vaucluse yachts and visitors from nearby yacht clubs.

As per the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions (available at Vaucluse Yacht Club), the first race will start at 12.45pm, preceded by a briefing in the Clubhouse. A barbecue for competitors and presentation of trophies will be held after racing. All entries welcome via the Vaucluse Yacht Club website.