2009 APC Logistics Marlay Point Overnight Race

by Neil Ross on 12 Dec 2008
Lake Wellington Yacht Club conducts its 41st Anniversary APC Logistics Marlay Point Overnight Race, Australia's premier race for Trailerable yachts on the Labour Day Long weekend, Saturday March 7th and Sunday March 8th 2009.

The race boasts a proud history commencing in 1968 after a discussion amongst club members about the merits of a long distance night time race. The first race with only about twenty starters captured the imagination of the Yachting fraternity throughout Australia and even from overseas. The halcyon days of the high rolling eighties saw the largest ever entry of 657 yachts in 1986 making it at that time arguably the largest yacht race in the world.

Changing economic times saw a gradual decline in entries with numbers over the last few years averaging around 150 with the 40th Anniversary Race in 2008 drawing over 200 entries. This, however, has not dampened the magic of the event with its unique courses and wide appeal to beginners and experts alike.

Lake Wellington Yacht Club has established an enviable reputation as running a professional and safe event with a large fleet of support craft from the Paynesville Coastguard.

The event is a boon to local businesses and is a genuine community effort with many organisations assisting this tiny country yacht club run a major event on the Australian yachting calendar.

This year, 200+ yachts, families and supporters, from all over Australia plus hundreds of spectators are expected to converge on Marlay Point, 22k from Sale on Lake Wellington in Gippsland for the start of the event. All divisions will head off together at 7-30pm in a spectacular mass start.

This year, slower trailer sailers will race directly from Marlay Point to Paynesville with the remaining faster trailer sailers and other including sports trailerables and multi hull divisions continuing through Paynesville, around Raymond Island and back to the finish at Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club.

All competitors successfully completing this course will receive a much sought after bronze medallion that have become collector's items over the years.

There's plenty of all night partying by spectators at various advantage points along the Straits and in spectator craft as the boats pass within metres of the banks.

The race has been a proving ground for new yachts, with top Victorian and interstate crews vying for victory in a very competitive market.

Some of yachting's biggest names including John Bertram and other Olympians have competed successfully in the race.

Local stars like Darryn Dyer and Simon Walsh who were recent winners in the Australian RL 24 Nationals and at major events in Geelong and elsewhere, will be keen to show the visitors that the locals are right up there with the best from all over Australia.

Spectators at Marlay Point can expect a spectacular view of the start with flares fired for the starting sequence. Full catering is available from Saturday lunchtime till Saturday night with a welcome party for competitors on at the clubhouse from 7-00pm Friday To download NOR Click Here

Entry forms are still available by phoning the race secretary on 51472240.

The club would like to acknowledge our key sponsors, APC Logistics and Sunsail Australia and Wellington Shire.

Readers will be interested to know that up in New South Wales, Lake Macquarie, Australia's largest and much deeper salt water lake has become home to an even longer race, which had similar humble beginnings. The Heaven Can Wait Yacht Club runs the Heaven Can Wait 24 hour race, each October Long Weekend. The 2008 winner sailed more than 150 nautical miles during the 24 hour event. In 2009 a fleet of more than a hundred yachts are expected to participate.

The Heaven Can Wait Yacht Club website is at www.heavencanwait.com.au