SSAA Winter Program 2013 - Loaded season

by Peter McCorquodale on 18 Mar 2013 SSAA Winter Program 2013. When sailors think of 1983, most would immediately think of Australia II beating Liberty to win the America’s Cup, but also in 1983 a group of sailors who were inspired by the first BOC Challenge solo around the world race, started the Shorthanded Sailing Association of Australia (SSAA) as a way to spread the word and encourage each other to further their sailing ambitions.

At the time shorthanded sailing was not offered, or encouraged, by mainstream sailing clubs, so the SSAA created its own rules and regulations, which were more stringent at the time than those for fully crewed racing.

SSAA’s patron is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, first man to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the globe in 1968-69.

Notable members of the SSAA include Kay Cottee, the first woman to sail solo around the world, and fellow solo circumnavigators Don McIntyre, Jon Sanders, David Adams, Kanga Birtles and Tony Mowbray.

Over the years many SSAA members have competed in solo or two-handed races such as the Solo Tasman, sailed from New Plymouth in New Zealand to Mooloolaba. SSAA members have competed in the double handed Melbourne to Osaka yacht race, notably Alby Burgin and Bruce Hitchman, as well as Rob Drury who won in 1999 with Sayernara.

Three SSAA members are racing in the 2013 Melbourne to Osaka race – Bruce McKay and John Davies on Wasabi, and Ivan Macfadyen on Funnelweb.

So in our 30th Anniversary year, the Shorthanded Sailing Association of Australia is proud to announce its 2013 Winter Program, a series of eight short-handed events. Entry is open to monohull and multihull yachts, and we encourage more multis to join our fleet.

The SSAA would particularly love to see past members join us on the water this season.

The program is:

Sat 20th April WS -1 Sydney - Botany Bay - Sydney
Sat 18th May WS -2 Pittwater to Newcastle
Fri 7th June WS -3 Pittwater to Port Stephens Race
Sat 13th July WS -4 Performance Boating Sales – Sydney to Pittwater Race
Sun 14th July WS -5 Performance Boating Sales – Pittwater to Sydney Race
Sat 10th August WS -6 Polar Challenge
Sat 7th September WS -7 SASC Lion Island Race
Fri 11th October WS -8 Two Islands Race

Full details including eligibility criteria are available on the Racing and Events page on the SSAA website: SSAA Winter Program 2013