RYCT (2009-10-12 17:05:43)
Based at the RYCT's Sandy Bay clubhouse in Hobart and sailed on the broad waters of the River Derwent, 'The Showdown' will be a three day event starting with a twilight event for racing and cruising keelboats on the evening of Friday, 30th October. [go back...]
State Coach Richard Scarr is encouraging all youth sailors from interstate (and senior sailors) to come and battle it out with the Tasmanina Youth Sailors.All youth classes as well as development class will be taking part and it will be a fantastic chance for inter-state sailors to come to Hobart and take part in a top quality event.Invitations to the leading interstate youth radial sailors are being sent out to come a line up with our state team sailors.
Event web site: http://www.theshowdown.com.au/
More than 200 boats, from Sabots and Optimists to Farr 40s and ocean racing yachts are expected to contest ‘The Showdown’, the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s exciting new regatta that promises to become the State’s biggest and best annual sailing annual event.
Based at the RYCT’s Sandy Bay clubhouse in Hobart and sailed on the broad waters of the River Derwent, ‘The Showdown’ will be an innovative three-day event, starting with a twilight race for keelboats on the evening of Friday, 30 October.
The keelboats will be joined by one-design yachts, sports boats and off-the-beach dinghies and multi-hulls in racing on Saturday, 30 October and Sunday, 1 November.
Regatta chairman and RYCT Vice Commodore Murray Jones says the Sabot dinghy class, for example, will be using the regatta as part of their selection series for the nationals. 'We expect up to 50 Sabots over the weekend,' he says.
'Keelboat fleets are also increasing in Hobart and we expect good entries from Divisions 1, 2 and 3, along with Farr 40s, J24s, Dragons, multi-hulls and sports boats.
'We have been assured of the active support of the major clubs racing on the Derwent in providing the highest level of race management and courses for all competitors,' adds the Vice Commodore.
The last weekend of October has been chosen for ‘The Showdown’ as this is a long weekend in Northern Tasmania, making it attractive for sports boats, trailable yacht, dinghy and catamaran class owners to travel south for the regatta.
As an indication of support, the Tamar Yacht Club and Port Dalrymple Yacht Club are not scheduling any races at their own clubs on the River Tamar during the long weekend.
Vice Commodore Jones has written to all clubs and class associations in Tasmania and he expects strong entries of Sabots, Optimists, Cadets, 420s, Lasers, Mirrors, Herons, Flying 11s, 29ers, B14s, Sabres, Moths and 2.4s as well as small multi-hulls. Three races are planned on both Saturday and Sunday for the off-the-beach classes.
Keelboat classes will include Division 1, 2 and 3, Farr 40s, the 9m class, sports boats, multi-hulls and trailable yachts, with one Friday evening twilight race, and three centre-river course races on Saturday and two on Sunday.
The Minister for Infrastructure Graeme Sturges officially launched ‘The Showdown’ at the RYCT in early September. 'The timing of this regatta will be perfect for those classes gearing up towards national championships over the summer,' the Minister added.
A huge program of onshore entertainment is planned at The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania on each evening of ‘The Showdown’ as well as family activities during the day in the club grounds.
Major sponsorship has already been received from Hartz Mineral Waters and National Pies, along with a range of supporting sponsors.
For further information about ‘The Showdown’ phone RYCT Sailing Manager Nick Corkhill on (03) 6223 4599 or email: sailing@ryct.org.au