Largest fleet for 20 years in the 50th anniversary Marlay Point Overnight Race
by Lake Wellington Yacht Club 6 Mar 2018 22:30 PST
10-11 March 2018
Over 220 boats will race in this weekend's Marlay Point Overnight Race © Lake Wellington Yacht Club
The 50th anniversary of the Marlay Point Overnight Race will take place this Saturday, 10 March, and entry numbers have reached over 220, making it the strongest fleet for over 20 years and one of Australia's largest yachting events this year.
Boats and crews are coming from Queensland, NSW, ACT, Tasmania, WA and all over Victoria to compete, with 90 different kinds of boats representing in what is considered the Sydney-Hobart of trailer sailer racing.
The competition will be fierce among some classes, with 28 Noelex 25 and 15 Castle 650 entered. Over 75 of the entries will be doing the iconic overnight race for the first time, proving that the Marlay Point is still on every trailer sailer's bucket list.
Some unique groups have come together to contest the race, including a sea scout group, a school group, and several families will race together.
Bill Shand and Alan Hill will both be competing to commemorate their ongoing participation in this historic race. Shand took out line honours in the very first race on his Flying Fifteen and Alan Hill is racing to honour his late father Reg, who took the overall win in the first race in his Hartley TS16.
The race originally started at Marlay Point and sailed through to Metung. These days, it starts at Marlay Point and finishes at Paynesville. The race starts at sunset and finishes sometime the next day, making it unique in the sailing world as competitor's race throughout the night. Some divisions have to round Raymond Island to complete the race, creating an extra challenge often for many.
It will be a weekend of nostalgia for many who are returning to race, and a weekend of adventure for those doing it for the first time. Windy or calm, everyone who does the Marlay Point agrees that it is a huge challenge involving great concentration and excellent navigational skills.
There will be a family fun day from 11am-7pm at the Marlay Point Reserve for locals to celebrate this milestone with crews, family and friends.
To enter the race or for more information about the 50th celebrations, please visit www.mponr.com.au