SSAA Inner Circle Rum Polar Challenge

'Joka - Polar Challenge 2007' Short Handed Sailing Association &copy

Know your boat? Know your Nav? Know your weather? Feel like something a bit different?

Short Sailing Association of Australia invites you to join in the 6th annual Inner Circle Rum Polar Challenge, from Sydney, Saturday July 19 2008.

The concept
No ice, no snow, and only locally-based penguins. Start in Sydney Harbour, out the heads, don't turn right, don't turn left, just keep going. When you get to an East Longitude 151?30', (or closer if there's not much wind), come back! Simple!

First Light - 2007 Polar Challenge - Short Handed Sailing Association &copy

The Challenge
You decide whether you go up or down to get there and back, based on your boat and its performance curves and your call on what the wind will do. When you get to the longitude, turn around and head back to finish at the Junction Buoy.

The Details
This is a short-handed race. Boats can be raced single-handed, 2-up with Autopilot, or 3-up without the pilot.

Safety requirement is Cat 4 - this is a 24-mile day race with the emphasis on fun! Handicaps will be length divisions and SSAA handicaps, and prizes will be awarded depending on entries.

If you're looking for a short, fun and simple way to try short handing, the Inner Circle Rum Polar Challenge is made for you. Come and join us!

Entry is free to SSAA series block entrants, $50 for SSAA members and $60 for casual entries. Sailing instructions and an entry form are available on the SSAA web site www.ssaa.com.au.

by Peter McCorquodale