Commissioned in 2007 to celebrate the Centenary of both the International Sailing Federation and The Southport School 'Old Southportonians Association', The 2nd annual 'Centenary Trophy Regatta' for all junior and youth sailors and all dinghy classes will be conducted by The Southport School Sailing Club on the Gold Coast, 29-31 August 2008.

The regatta incorporates The 'Old Salts Cup' for all TSS 'Old Southportonians', The Corsair Association of Queensland State Youth Championships & Winter Legends Regatta, and The inaugural 'Plastic Fantastic Intergalactic Championships'

The 'Old Salts Cup' is a winner-takes-all trophy race held on an Olympic Triangle course for all 'Old Boys' of The Southport School. In its inaugural year there were 15 skippers back on their home waters of the Nerang River, however early indications are that we can expect up to 40 alumni on the water this year, representing valedictorians over the past 30 years or more. The 'Old Salts Cup' will be held on the Gold Coast Show Public Holiday, Friday 29th August and will be followed by a cocktail reception and trophy presentation before the skippers enter again into the familiar and historic Great Dining Hall as VIP guests at the annual Awards Dinner.

Racing for the Junior and Senior 'Centenary of Sailing' perpetual trophies will be open to all dinghy classes and all youth sailors, with eight Olympic Triangle sprint races on the Saturday and the long 'Three Bridges' passage race on the Sunday. There are one-design and class subdivisions for International Optimist, Laser, Radial, 4.7, 29er, 420 and Pacer dinghies.

Incorporated within the senior division of the regatta, the Corsair Association of Queensland will be deciding the title holders for the Queensland State Youth Championship and the Winter Legends Trophy for senior sailors. The regatta will also determine the State Youth Champion and Most Improved Qld Skipper award for the Vagabond dinghy class.

A new addition to the regatta but one which is sure to become a permanent annual favourite, will be the inaugural occasion of the 'Plastic Fantastic Intergalactic Championships'. This division is open only to boats of 'Plastic' construction and to sailors who are categorised as being of 'novice' or 'trainee' levels of ability and experience. All competitors must be under 21 years of age and do not necessarily have to be a YA Silver Card carrying club member, simply being enrolled as a trainee at any accredited Yachting Australia Training Centre will suffice.

All competitors in this division are entitled to receive unlimited verbal coaching while racing, and even their starting sequence will be clarified with a countdown over the loud hailer. The emphasis is strongly on fun, participation and improvement, and while there will be full results, awards and trophies like every other division, the decisions relating to each award will consider factors like sportsmanship, fair play, dedication, improvement, humour and most importantly, enjoyment.

The Notice of Race and further information is at www.tss.yachting.org.au

by Drew Hulton-Smith

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