Seawind F18 Worlds puts Capricorn Coast on map

by Event Media on 4 Mar 2007 Last week's very successful 2007 Seawind F18 World Championship sailed on Keppel Bay set Yeppoon firmly on the world sailing map. 80 crews from more than a dozen countries sailed the fast racing catamarans off the broad expanse of beach fronting Rydges Capricorn Resort.

Competitors ranked the 2007 Formula 18 World titles as the best of recent years, ahead of championships sailed in France, Holland, Britain and Italy.

The first few days made the headlines with king tides and heavy weather off the Yeppoon coast creating havoc in the fleet, but as the week went on 15 races were sailed in perfect racing conditions. On the final day, it was a script writers scenario with Australians Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby beating Holland’s Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis in the final race ahead of France’s Billy Besson.

News and images from Keppel Bay went around the sailing world, with the media technology at the 2007 worlds breaking new ground.

Telstra Country Wide Central Queensland provided the Media Centre Communications facilities for the event, enabling more than 20 Australian and International journalists, photographers, radio station reporters and television crews from Australia and overseas, to provide updates to sailing enthusiasts from around the world.

Country Coast Capricornia Commercial Strategy Specialist Margaret Deluary said Telstra Country Wide® was delighted to support the event through the provision of voice and wireless broadband services using Telstra's Next G™ network. These communications services helped keep sailing enthusiasts up-to-date with the racing results.

‘The latest communications technology, particularly Next G wireless broadband, allowed race officials and journalists to provide instant ‘off the water’ updates. This technology enabled us to provide live mark roundings updated directly from the water; a ‘first’at a F18 event,’ commented Media Director, Rob Kothe. ‘Its clear that Next G phones and wireless broadband services are a must for major sporting events across Australia.’

'Telstra has become a big supporter of Australian sailing providing innovative telecommunication solutions to many international events including the 2006 Audi Etchells World Etchells Championship, the 2004 Etchells Worlds on the Sunshine Coast and major Australian events like Skandia Geelong Week and Meriden Airlie Beach Race Week. Their ongoing support is greatly appreciated and certainly makes the task of delivering on the spot news and results to the sailing public much easier.’ Kothe said.

Regatta Coordinator Mark Laruffa said, 'Communications for the Media Centre and Race Organisers were a major factor with 80 fast moving boats scattered across the water and courses. We thank Telstra Country Wide for their support of our event.'

‘The Rydges Resort venue, with its large open areas and extensive facilities proved perfect for the World titles. Paul Effeny and his Keppel Bay Sailing Club ‘on water’ team delivered world class racing and it is now likely that other off the beach sailing classes, both from Australia and overseas, will consider Keppel Bay as a venue for major regattas ‘summed up the Regatta Coordinator. .