Australian University Teams Racing revival

9:56 PM Wed 9 Sep 2009 GMT

'Top mark on the first day - 2009 Australian University Regatta' Tom Mallet

On the 1st of October, university sailors from around Australia will begin to arrive at Sydney's Northern Beachers for the 2009 Australian University Teams Racing Regatta.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will be providing the venue for the regatta from the 2nd to the 4th of October which is only the second university sailing event for almost a decade. The event has received Yachting Australian and Australian University Sport's sanctioning which represents a significant development for the sport in targeting university students.

Although it has never been in the league of the US and European university sailing, there was once a competitive competition between many of the Australian universities.

Unfortunately almost all the clubs that once existed have disappeared and with it, the competition leaving the need to create a new competition from scratch. Australian University Sport and Yachting Australia have begun the process of formally introducing sailing into the annual Australian University Games.

Teams' racing in Australia has predominately been dominated by high school sailing with only a small number continuing into the national competition. The development of a national university teams racing championship seems to be the logical step for providing young sailors with a pathway so they can stay involved with team sailing and maintain their connection with the sport when many drop off.

While many sailors at university compete for their local clubs, teams racing will provide a great way to get teams linked up in universities to help the establishment of new clubs. Since the April fleet racing regatta, two new clubs have been re-established in Sydney by the University of New South Wales and University of Technology Sydney. These two clubs are now preparing competitive teams for the teams racing regatta and will establish other local events between clubs.

The entry deadline for the Teams Racing regatta is September 18th leaving less than two weeks for teams to get organised.

If you're interested in joining or starting a team for your university, a great and easy place to start is the 'Australian University Sailing Events' facebook group at: www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=75234092430&;ref=ts

For further information about the regatta including the notice of race, go to www.usydsailing.com

by Tom Mallet

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