Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series: The Hot Contenders

5:19 AM Thu 30 Apr 2009 GMT

'Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series' David Staley Click Here to view large photo

With two-time champions St Leonard's College among the favourites to take out the final of the Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series, organizers are urging friends and family to get behind their local school for what promises to be an exciting two days of sailing at Docklands on May 16 and 17.

At least four other schools are strong contenders to take out the two-day event, with former finalists St Bede's College and the Peninsula School again looking hard to beat.

Haileybury College and St Michael's Grammar are also expected to perform strongly after each winning their qualifying rounds.

Event co-ordinator Mark Taylor said that with a number of significant crew changes from last year, it would be interesting to see which of the schools had improved or maintained their strength and could take the title away from long time rivals St Leonard's College and the Peninsula School.

Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series - David Staley Click Here to view large photo

`Outside bets will no doubt be placed on Geelong Grammar and Mentone Grammar,' Mr Taylor said.

`Interestingly, all the schools with second or B teams made it through to the finals this year - a strong indicator that form follows depth.'

The Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series is held off Docklands Yacht Club and is proudly sponsored by Lend Lease and the City of Melbourne. Ellie Schwab, Project Director of Victoria Harbour said, `The skill displayed by the students during the qualifying rounds was rather impressive and we wish each of the finalists the best of luck.'

Like last year - weather permitting - the event will be run in the traditional Swiss League format until around lunchtime on the last day when the top four teams will move through to a best-of-three knock-out format with 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 - the winners advancing to the best-of-three grand final.

Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series - David Staley Click Here to view large photo

Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series - David Staley Click Here to view large photo

The second qualifying round at Docklands sees some great sailing - Victoria Harbour Schools Sailing Series - David Staley Click Here to view large photo

by Jennifer Milligan