All Marine Pittwater to Newcastle race

by Drew Spring on 5 May 2007 Following upon the highly successful race to Botany Bay last month, the Short Handed Sailing Association of Australia confirms that its 50nm race from Pittwater to Newcastle will be held on Saturday 12th May starting at 0800 near Barrenjoey.

The race, for short handed racing yachts, could result in a fast time this year with westerly wind patterns presently dominating the eastern seaboard making for fast reaching conditions up the coast.

18 boats entered the Botany Bay race and the SSAA is looking to increase the entries in the All Marine Newcastle race. There are also several entrants from Newcastle including, the Newcastle based Open 50 Funnel Web. Two Multihulls have also entered.

The host Club is the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club and they will be greeting the finishers with refreshments, and providing berthing facilities for those yachts staying in Newcastle overnight. A dinner will be held after the race at the Albion Hotel that night.

The race Sponsor is long time SSAA supporter All Marine. Formed in 2001 by Sam Newton, All Marine services hundreds of clients across Australia. Operating out of Woolwich Marina, in the heart of Sydney, All Marine has a unique range of facilities at to attend to all marine services.

The race is open to all yachts with a Category 4 safety certificate. Full details can be found on the SSAA website, www.ssaa.com.au or by telephoning Bruce Watson on 0438 244 250.

This is the second of eight races in the SSAA program. The following race is on the June Long Weekend. The Rolly Tasker Sydney to Port Stephens Race kicks off an exciting weekend that includes Lunch and a skippers vs crews Cricket match at Wandin Valley Estate Winery in the Hunter Valley on the Sunday.

Other Races on the SSAA Winter Program are as follows.

14 April - Secumar Sydney - Botany Bay - Sydney
12 May - All Marine Pittwater to Newcastle
8 June - Rolly Tasker Syd to Port Stephens - Plus Lunch and Cricket at Wandin Valley
14 July - Inner Circle Rum Polar Challenge (Sydney, East to Longitude)
11&12 Aug - Gill Series - Sydney to Pittwater (Return race on Sunday)
8 Sept - Sydney to Lion Island – with SASC (date TBA)
20 Oct - 160 Miler (Sydney-Bird Island-Flinders Islet-Sydney) - Sponsorship Available