2009 505 Nationals - will you be there?

6:25 PM Thu 27 Nov 2008 GMT

The 2009 505 Nationals are scheduled to be held off Manly Beach NSW from February 15th-21st and it's a welcome return to the northern beaches for one of the world's most popular Dinghy classes.

The 505's have a history of racing in only the best locations - this year's event on Hamilton Island was a perfect example. So it'll be no surprise to see a bunch of Five-Oh sailors sipping lattes with the cognoscente of Manly before heading off to the tree lined harbour foreshore to rig their boats before heading out in a glorious summer nor' easterly to one of the best race tracks in the country - or even the world!

Of course Manly can have its share of tough conditions too - at the 1988 Five Oh Worlds there, they only got four races off due to the boat ravaging conditions. But there are options to race inside the Harbour if the weather turns heinous, so it's the best of both worlds.

But in 15-20, knots and a bit of swell, there is nothing to touch a 505 for pure exhilaration and spectacle!

The Manly 16 foot skiff club is hosting the event, in collaboration with the Australian 505 Association. With the current Sydney fleet not exactly at its peak - the bulk of the fleet will be made up of visitors from NSW, SA, QLD, Vic and WA and there are two overseas competitors confirmed. There were 30 boats at the Nationals on Hamilton Island this year and the expectations are for at least 40 to make the trip to Sydney.

Bill Cuneo and John Warlow from RQ in Queensland will be defending their Championship against past national Champion Michael Quirk and Simon Reffold - both Northern Beaches locals. There will also be previous National Champions from Queensland in the form of Mooloolaba's Phil Gray and Sandy Higgins from Brighton & Seacliffe in South Australia. Former Tasar Champion Paul Ridgeway will be making the trip as one of the growing fleet of Victorian boats.

505 Nationals - Paparazzi.com.au!Paparazzi.com.au

Naming Rights Sponsorship Available
The 505 Fleet is certainly enjoying massive support internationally - there were 130 boats at the recent worlds in Italy and that many are expected to compete on Hamilton Island in the 2011. it is widely regarded as the highest standard dinghy class outside of Olympic Competition.

With extensive coverage Nationally and Internationally on the web and in the many sailing media it is also one of the most publicised classes in the world - which makes the coming Nationals an excellent sponsorship opportunity for a canny marketer looking to create some brand cut-through and to leverage that sponsorship with some pretty special hospitality opportunities.

If you are interested please contact Michael Quirk michael(at)int505nationals.com for more details or visit the event web site at www.int505nationals.com

Call for Volunteers and Resources
Big dinghy regatta's such as this require significant on-water resources; people and assets - and we need your help.

If you have a boat and some free time in February, or if you just want to be part of a really spectacular and fun sailing event - contact Michael Quirk at michael(at)int505nationals.com