All systems go for the Banjo's Shoreline Crown Series 2022
by Jane Austin 27 Jan 21:34 PST
18-20 February 2022
A colourful fleet and lots of action is guaranteed at the Banjos Shoreline Crown Series Bellerive Regatta © Jane Austin
The Bellerive Yacht Club (BYC) is set to deliver yet another top sailing event with entries open for the Banjo's Shoreline Crown Series 2022.
The Crown Series attracts talented sailors from across the state with divisions for racing keelboats, performance cruiser/racers (spinnaker and non-spinnaker) and one-design classes. The regatta also boasts a healthy off-the-beach (OTB) program which is popular with the younger sailors. The keelboat racing program also includes the Tasmanian AMS Rating Championship for AMS certified entries.
This year's event sees the return of the SB20 State Titles to the regatta program. The SB20 fleet will be chomping at the bit to get back on the water for some intense one design sailing following the postponement of the 2022 SB20 Australian Championship in January.
The BYC has made some amendments to the normal program to ensure the regatta can proceed in line with Tasmanian Public Health directions and to mitigate the public safety and health risks associated with the event. The BYC will be without the carpark marquee and live music will be limited to Saturday evening, but regardless, Commodore and skipper of entrant B&G Advantage, Jeff Cordell is thrilled to oversee the 2022 event and is looking forward to some fantastic sailing.
"We have made every effort to not only comply with health directions, but to do everything we can to make this year's event covid-safe. We've found that running as many of our social events outdoors in a socially distanced fashion, like our twilight post-race socialising, has been reassuring for our members and, people are coming back to the club feeling confident in our hosting. That's why we made the decision not to have the carpark marquee this year," said Cordell.
"It's also an exciting time for the BYC as work has started on our marina redevelopment. We have been in the planning stage for some time so it's terrific that work is under way so we can offer top-class marina facilities to our members," said Cordell.
Cordell is hoping for a strong fleet of keelboats and OTB entries for the event which runs from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th February 2022. Early entries include All the Gear No Idea, a New Zealand designed Spencer 30, skippered by Danny Cunningham, and Guilty Pleasures VI, campaigned by Gary Cripps.
"We absolutely love this regatta and sailing at this time of the year in Hobart. The Crown Series has a strong following both on and off the water, none more so than from Gary [Cripps] who is one of the most active sailors on the River Derwent and is also major sponsor of the event. I know Gary has brought a strong crew together which includes BYC stalwart Ian Stewart (aka Seaweed), so I hope they do well," said Cordell.
"We are also grateful for the support we have received from all the Clubs on the River who each make a contribution to the Crown Series," said Cordell.
There will also be some minor changes to the OTB racing program with only afternoon racing scheduled each day from 1300 hours and dinghy rigging will be unavailable at the club. In a change to the onshore program, OTB series winners will receive their prizes through their home clubs, replacing the usual Sunday afternoon prize-giving for the OTB sailors.
Banjo's continues as the major sponsor of the regatta in addition to support from several local businesses. Skippers are encouraged to enter before Monday 31 January to qualify for the early bird draw for an entry fee refund of up to $200, while Nautilus Marine Insurance offers a $750 insurance voucher for a keelboat skipper and a $250 voucher for an OTB skipper, with both prizes drawn at the prize-giving on Sunday afternoon.
Close of entries are 14th February for keel boats and 16th February for dinghies.
The regatta program, sailing documents and entry forms are available at byc.org.au/racing/banjos-shoreline-crown-series-2022