Big 2008-2009 sailing season ahead for RSYS
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron is planning a big racing season for 2008-2009, including hosting the prestigious Prince Philip Cup, the Australian Championship for the International Dragon class. 
'Dragons racing in a previous Prince Philip Cup on Sydney Harbour - Prince Phillip Cup'
Peter Campbell ©
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The Squadron will conduct several other major National and State Championships and International Regattas as well as running extensive Saturday sailing program running from September 6 this year through to April 5 next year.
The Prince Philip Cup is expected to attract entries from Melbourne and Geelong, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth as well as from Hong Kong Kong and the United States, along with the competitive Squadron fleet.
Veteran Squadron member Gordon Ingate will be defending the Prince Philip Cup which he won on Hobart's River Derwent last January.
Other Championships and Inernational regattas to be conducted by the Squadron during the summer of 2008-2009 include:
? Sydney 32 NSW Championships, November 3-6
? Yngling Australian Championship & Gold Cup, December 27-29
? Australian Youth Olympic Festival Sailing, January 14-18
? Hardy Cup, February 1-5
? Farr 40 Australian Championship, February 20-22
? Laser Metropolitan Championships, March 14-15
The RSYS Spring Series will run from Saturday, September 6 to Saturday, December 20. Racing will resume after the Christmas break on Saturday, January 17 with the Summer Series for all divisions continuing through to Saturday, April 4.
The final racing event of the season will be the Autumn Championship Regatta for one-design classes on April 4-5. Other mini regattas will be conducted during the season as well as the popular Spring Twilight Regatta, including the Etchells Milson Silver Goblets, from November 10-14.
For the first time, a Season Opening Crew Welcome Night will be held at the Squadron on Friday evening, September 12.
Twilight Racing is now a major part of the Squadron's sailing program, with the first Friday Twilight Race scheduled for October 10 and the first Tuesday Ladies Twilight Race, the 'Pink Race' for Breast Cancer, to be held on November 11.
With the extension of daylight saving in New South Wales, the Friday Twilight Racing will extend through to April 3, 2009. - Peter Campbell
by Peter Campbell
Port Macquarie, NSW
