NOR and entry form for Audi Winter Series now available

4:26 AM Fri 13 Feb 2009 GMT

'Sydney 38 One Design Division Starting in Race 11 of Audi Winter Series 2008' Andrea Francolini / Audi &copy Click Here to view large photo

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, together with naming rights sponsor Audi Australia, are pleased to advise that the notice of race NOR and entry form for the popular 'Audi Winter Series' is now available.

This major series has been part of the club's sailing calendar for almost as long as the Rushcutters Bay clubhouse has been operating.

The Audi Winter Series 2009 will consist of 11 pointscore races in addition to the traditional opening and closing Ladies Day races and Great Veterans Race, beginning on 26 April and concluding on 19 July.

In last year's Audi Winter Series, entries peaked at 224 yachts across eleven divisions over the course of the series. Each week an average of 150 yachts took to Sydney Harbour to enjoy action packed winter racing.

'As this country's largest sponsor of competitive sailing, we're always proud to be involved with the Audi Winter Series at the CYCA. We encourage skilled competition at every event we support and look forward to seeing even more boats out on Sydney Harbour in 2009 than ever before,' said Audi's managing director, Joerg Hofmann.

'In 2008 Audi posted its fourth consecutive record result in Australia and we also want to encourage new records out on the water with our sailing activities.'

'We encourage CYCA members and members of other Sydney yacht clubs to participate in this highly competitive Audi Winter Series 2009,' said Garry Linacre, Vice Commodore and Chairman of the Sailing Committee.

The opening Ladies Day race to be conducted on 26 April will also mark the commencement of Freedom from MS Regatta (a four race regatta conducted from 26 April - 2 May) that is designed to raise awareness and vital funds for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), MS research and sailors with disabilities. Yacht owners are encouraged to make their yachts available to accommodate up to four people who have made a contribution to the MS Society.

Within hours of the entry form being posted, long standing Audi Winter Series campaigner Bernie Van't Hof entered his yacht Tulip, who had finished fourth in Division B in the Audi Winter Series 2008.

The CYCA sailing office requests that skippers lodge their entry as early as possible so work can start on putting like boats in the same divisions. Up to 11 divisions are expected to compete, including a separate Sydney 38 division.
This will be Audi's third year as naming rights sponsor of the CYCA's Winter Series and once again, all weekly divisional place getters will go in the draw to drive a luxury Audi A6 for the week.

Download the notice of race and entry form www.cyca.com.au/sysfile/downloads/awsnor09.pdf