Sail Mooloolaba 2013- inaugural event starts with record numbers
by Tracey Johnstone on 20 Jun 2013
Sail Mooloolaba 2012 sports boats power around the mark, photo Teri Dodds - Sail Mooloolaba 2013 Teri Dodds
The inaugural Sports Boat Winter Nationals, being held off Mooloolaba this weekend, has set a new record for the number of entries for this sailing class.
The event has attracted 24 entries from NSW, West Australia and Queensland. The previously highest number of event entries was the Queensland class titles back in 2009.
The Winters is being conducted by Mooloolaba Yacht Club and within the week-long celebration sailing called Sail Mooloolaba. The record fleet will contest a total of six races over the two days.
Event manager, Darren Spence, confirmed the Winter event topped the podium for entry numbers due to the several factors. 'I think it’s because of the great location and the timing of the event. There are not many other events on. We have also attracted some boats that are going to do both Airlie Beach Race Week in August and Sail Mooloolaba using Mooloolaba as the stopover in the middle.'
Sports boats are trailable sailing boats built for racing. They are between six and just over eight metres long and designed and built to be light and go as fast as possible.
'The fleet is quite good. You’ve got Crank, the 2011 national champion and Kaito, the 2012 national champion. Peow Peow is the two times Queensland champion and finished second at the 2011 nationals. Raptor has won every event it has sailed in and is the current Queensland champion.
'Out of the 24 entries, there is probably 10 boats that are all going to the dicing it out, backwards and forwards at the front end of the fleet. It is quite a competitive fleet,' Spence said.
Sail Mooloolaba, Celebration of Sailing events -
Sports Boats - 22nd and 23rd June
Trailable Yachts - 22nd and 23rd June
Monos & Multis –22nd and 23rd June
Radio Controlled Yachts –- 25th June
Mono / Multi Fun Race –– 26th June
Schools Match Racing - – 27th & 28th June
Dinghies & Arrow State Championship – 29th & 30th June
Event website - www.sailmooloolaba.yachting.org.au
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SailMooloolaba
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