NSW Sailing League debuts its first season
by Alex Dare 21 Dec 2022 02:34 PST
NSW Sailing League © Alex Dare - Down Under Sail
NSW Sailing League debuts its first season this year with two qualifiers set to take place in just a few weeks before Finals in April 2023.
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) and Royal Price Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) have entered into a partnership to launch the NSW Sailing League (NSW-SL) for the 2022 / 23 Season. The NSW-SL is a part of the wider pathway of State Sailing League events being created to enable clubs from across Australia to compete on a level playing field in identical 4 person yachts in short, sharp 10-12 minute fully umpired fleet racing as a pathway to the SAILING Champions League.
The NSW Sailing League aspires to create a regular series of Legs at different clubs where clubs can send sailors (2 male/2 female) to represent them in supplied boats (RS21, Elliot 6, Elliot 7, SB20, etc). The top teams from each Leg qualify for the NSW-SL Final from which to top clubs from NSW qualify for the SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific - FINAL (May 2023)
For the 2022/23 season the NSW Sailing League will consist of the following events:
- NSW Sailing League: Regional Qualifier - NCYC 'Hunter & Regional Sailing League', 14/15th Jan 2023
- NSW Sailing League: Metro Qualifier - RPAYC, 21/22nd Jan 2023
- NSW Sailing League: FINAL - NCYC 'SailFest' event 15/16th April 2023
From the NSW-SL Final the top 4 teams will then directly qualify for the SCL:AP-FINAL in May 2023 (venue to be announced), and from this SCL:AP the top Australian, top NZL/Pacific and top Asian club is qualified for the SCL: World Final in Germany July 2023).
Clubs from across NSW are invited to contact NCYC in regards to entries for NSW-SL: Regional Qualifier and details can be found at www.ncyc.net.au/inshore-racing/nsw-sailing-league-regional.
Details and Notice of race for both the NSW-SL: Metro Qualifier and then the subsequent NSW-SL Final will be released shortly and will be posted at www.sailing-championsleague.asia/nsw-sailing-league
NCYC General Manager - Paul O'Rourke: "We've really embraced the Sailing League format and the opportunity for teams from all clubs to compete with one another on a level playing field in one-design fleets. It's a club vs club tournament that provides a platform to promote networking and camaraderie through a shared passion for our sport. Participation in the Sailing League events is a rewarding and upskilling experience for all teams."
RPAYC Sailing & Communications Manager - Brendan Rourke: "It's fantastic to be able to host such an event on Pittwater that's inclusive for all ages groups. Our Elliott 7s make for thrilling racing on-water action."
SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific - Mark Turnbull OAM - "The SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific was created in 2019 as a part of the global International Sailing League Association. Since 2012 there have been National Sailing Leagues across Europe whereby clubs large and small compete on a level playing field. Now after 12 years the format has come to Asia Pacific, and there are National Sailing Leagues in 23 Countries, and over 300 clubs competing worldwide. The format is all about fostering clubs and providing a platform for them to compete against the club 5 minutes down the road (State Sailing Leagues), clubs across Australia (AUS Sailing League), clubs from within our regions (SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific) and then to take on the top clubs in the World at the SAILING Champions League: World Final (Europe).
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club has hosted the SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific - Final for the past two years and now have teamed up with Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club to create the NSW Sailing League. It is extremely exciting to have these two great clubs embrace the concept and now become the first two home clubs of the NSW Sailing League."
If you are a sailor and interested in competing, contact your club and get them to be involved and if you are a club, jump on board, enter the series to become the NSW Sailing League: top club as the steppingstone to take on the best clubs from around the world.
For more information about the NSW Sailing League, including Notice of Race and Online Entry, head to www.sailing-championsleague.asia/nsw-sailing-league
For more information about the SAILING Champions League - Asia Pacific, head to www.sailing-championsleague.asia