Owners form Australian TP52 Sailing Association
by Australian TP52 Class Association 4 Mar 03:56 PST
Gweilo during the 2020 Bird Island Race © CYCA / Hamish Hardy
TP52 owners across Australia have formed a new association for the class, announcing an inaugural pointscore featuring five regattas in 2022.
The Australian TP52 Sailing Association has been developed following years of consultation between the owners, with the aim to offer more competitive sailing year-round for TP52s.
Terry Wetton, Sam Haynes (owner/skipper of Celestial) and Craig Neil (owner/skipper of Quest) are on the association's management committee.
"The TP52 class continues to grow in popularity and these grand prix racing boats are proving successful in ocean races and regattas all over the world," said Neil.
"The TP52 owners' group has been working together for more than five years now and it is great to now have a formal association to provide greater racing opportunities and structure.
"This is a very competitive class and I look forward to getting out on the water to compete against the other TP52s."
The Australian TP52 Sailing Association's inaugural pointscore will feature five regattas, with one drop:
- Regatta 1: 5-6 March (Hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club)
- Regatta 2: 26-27 March (Hosted by Newcastle Yacht Club)
- Regatta 3: 8-10 April (Hosted by Sail Port Stephens)
- Regatta 4: 30 April - 1 May (Hosted by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia)
- Regatta 5: 21-22 May (Hosted by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia)
Quest, Zen (Gordon Ketelbey), Matador (David Doherty), Gweilo (Matt Donald and Chris Townsend), and Koa (Andy Kearnan and Peter Wrigley) will battle it out in the Super 50 division of this weekend's Sydney Harbour Regatta, with the Australian TP52 Sailing Association's first points up for grabs.