Magnetic Island hits the Australian Sailing circuit

2:26 AM Fri 28 Aug 2009 GMT

'2008 Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week winner Zoe heads to the finish line.' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Three years ago Townsville Cruising Yacht Club (TCYC) sailors coming back from the two largest sailing events in Queensland, the twin pillars of Airlie Beach Race Week and Hamilton Island Race Week decided that sheltered waters around Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island would be the perfect setting for another Australian winter season regatta.

But those two events had between them more than forty years of winter sailing tradition and it was a bold step to try and start yet another North Queensland sailing event at the same time of year.

With strong support from naming rights sponsor Sunferries, Townsville City Council, Queensland Events and other local sponsors, the dream has become a reality.

TCYC Sailing Captain Wesley Bailey is looking forward to the growth of the 2009 regatta, and is currently in Hamilton Island where he is sailing aboard Zoe, one of the best known racing boats ever to come out of Townsville.

'This will be just our third Magnetic Island regatta and we have now successfully plugged into the Winter Regatta circuit, this year we have boats and sailors from Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and South East Queensland, who have raced at either or both of the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island regattas who are cruising north this week to join us in Magnetic Island.

'As more and more good reports have gone back south, the numbers of sailors planning to add Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week to their winter schedule is growing rapidly and right now we are the fastest growing sailing event in the Asia Pacific.

'We will have around 50 boats this year and expectations of 75 in 2010, with more of Australia's top racing boats committing already to be on the start line in Nelly Bay next year.

'When you consider there were 100 boats at the 20th annual Airlie Beach Race Week this year, Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week has a very bright future.'

Racing commences on Saturday 5th September and for the first time will see the big fleet race along the Strand waterfront, providing a perfect opportunity for locals to view the regatta. Event organizers are also excited with the expansion of the off water program to include the Zinc Race Week Shoreside Party, a free community event on the deck of Peppers Blue on Blue on Saturday 5th September with live entertainment, prize giveaways and a fireworks display. The regatta will host four days of sailing across six racing divisions and a variety of social functions through until the Presentation Evening on Tuesday 8 September.

by Rob Kothe

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Magnetic Island hits the Australian Sailing circuit

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