Tigers flying back to Balmain
The name "Tigers" is almost synonymous with Balmain and on Sunday October 26 -the 156th Anniversary of the first Balmain Regatta - a new team of Tigers will be coming to Balmain Sailing Club. 
'Balmain Tiger'
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This time the Tigers, 10 m Flying Tiger sportsboats, will be coming across the water.
The Balmain Regatta will be hosting sailing boat classes ranging from historic skiffs to the most modern sports yachts.
According to Neil Hamilton, owner of Balmain Tiger, one of the first FT10s in Australia, and a regular fixture at Balmain Sailing Club, the 2008 regatta committee has invited the newly formed Flying Tiger FT10 Class Association to participate with its own one-design class race.
The race will start at 11 am, for a race from Balmain to Shark Island in the main harbour and return.
"Look out for the Tigers when they return to Balmain around 1.30 pm with their large Red Spinnakers flying before what we hope will be a fresh north-easterly breeze and showing off their Tiger logos," said Hamilton.
The Flying Tigers are a 10 m sports yacht, incorporating many of the features of the smaller fast sports skiffs and sports boats regularly seen around Sydney Harbour.
They include a large bright red spinnaker carried from a 2 m protruding bowsprit.
"The big difference compared with other sportsboats is that the FT10 is a yacht and so has many creature features, including room for 10 crew up top and a basic level of accommodation downstairs," he said.
"The FT10 is the fastest-growing class of yacht in Sydney with the fleet growing from one boat in October 2007 to 15 boats either sailing or en route to Sydney as of October 2008.
"Already there are three FT10s sailing in the Drummoyne/Balmain racing fleets west of the Bridge, and look out for another three over the next few months," said Hamilton.
If you are interested in boats ranging from historic to modern, make your way to Balmain Sailing club or White Horse Point at Elkington Park to join in the Back to Balmain festivities and enjoy what should be a great spectacle.
The Balmain Regatta started in 1849 and was run continuously up until the outbreak of the First World War.
It is one of the oldest regattas in Australia and in recent years has become a celebration of Balmain, the club's connection to Sydney Harbour, the boating industry, and its members' love of sailing that remains today within the community.
The event attracts around 100 vessels on the water, making it one of the great annual spectacles around Balmain.
The 2008 Balmain Regatta will feature a number of races and events throughout the day including:
Parade of Dressed Boats between Cockatoo Island and the Balmain/Birchgrove foreshore, with prizes for the best-dressed boats
The local Pub Challenge, with Balmain pubs sponsoring (and providing crew for) various yachts provided and skippered by BSC members
The Services Cup, with local Police, Fire, Ambulance and Water Police challenging each other on BSC members' boats
Vintage skiff racing
Vintage wooden yachts, including vessels from the Australian Maritime Museum
Modern yachts, in two separate divisions
Modern dinghies (including Inter-club challenges)
Tender races - which aim to engage youngsters and the local community while the fleet racing is happening
A demonstration of radio-controlled yacht racing.
In addition to the racing on the water, BSC volunteers and sponsors will combine to ensure that a wide selection of food and beverages are available throughout the day.
Further information: David Blackwell, Regatta Chair, Balmain Sailing Club, work (02) 9810 9118, email blackwelld@bigpond.com, website www.balmainsailingclub.com.au.
by Mark Cherrington 
Cottesloe, WA
