Full sail ahead for Newcastle Harbour regatta
by Mark Rothfield 8 Apr 2021 18:20 AEST
10-11 April 2021
SailFest Newcastle Regatta - East Coast Marine © Mark Rothfield
A huge weekend of world-class sailing action on Newcastle Harbour begins tomorrow morning with the opening of SailFest Newcastle. Top crews from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, the Defence Forces, Sydney and Newcastle will race directly in front of the Honeysuckle Hotel as part of the Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific match-racing titles.
Saturday's racing will feature eight grand-prix TP52 ocean racing yachts, starting a passage race on the Harbour with the Fort Scratchley guns firing around 1pm.
Starting 2pm Saturday will be an iconic race known as the Cock of the Harbour to determine the fastest sailing boat on Newcastle Harbour. It's one of Australia's oldest sailing trophies.
Families can learn the ropes in a TrySailing experience at Carrington on both days of the weekend.
The regatta rekindles 175 years of sailing history on the port and joins the World Surf League and Newcastle Seafood Festival as major events.
For more details, please visit sailfest.com.au.