Nathan it's only 7 days away; could you please provide an update.
Would Windsurfer One Designs be welcome to participate?
If so I'll pass it on to other experienced WOD's who could be interested.
Want to use it as practice for the WOD Nationals at Soldiers Pt 26 Jan.
steve we wouldnt refuse any competitor from any class of sailing. conditions on the day may dictate where we start to make the island doable. I used to do this marathon every year when I was a kid it was my favourite event
Yes its definitely on this Sunday and WOD are defintely welcome. For anybody not already a member of an AWA affiliated club, for insurance purposes, membership to Marmong will be available on the day.
As Barry said, the launch point will depend on the wind direction. At this stage we are planning to start from The Slips at Belmont.
Start time will be advised later in the week. Look forward to seeing lots of sails on the water Sunday.
Thank you for the encouraging responses.
Do you mean "do-able" in regard to the time duration?
What is the targeted start time & finish time for the raceboards?
Or "do-able" in regard to preferred sailing angles?
When I initially read the marathon promotion I had envisaged the return leg being a powered-up work into a 15kn (maybe gusting occasionally to 20) NorEaster.
But I'm now interpretting that you will be setting up a reaching course relative to the forecast 12-16kn ESE?
I assume "The Slips" is at Belmont Skiff Club?
Will the finish be at The Slips or at Marmong?
G'day Steve
Belmont Slips is found at a car park on "The Shores Way" - try whereis (carpark is shown as the loop).
The Slips will be the start and finish.
Do-able in regards to various wind directions.
Nathan
Ok - 2 days to go! Current forecast being E 14-16kt.
When & where/how will the course & start time be 'officially' confirmed?
If it is to be a predominately reaching course I won't race the Wally [it can be very stressfull on the back on a long long reach].
But - depending on the wind & the confirmed course decision - myself & another will borrow Neil Pryde RS One's
A few more details.
Cost $15 for Marathon
or $30 Saturday (Four Seasons) & Sunday (Marathon)
The plan for the day is:
Registration 11-11.30am
Briefing 11.45am
Racing 12noon
There will be two courses on the day.
Course 1: Slips to Pulbah to Slips
Course 2: Slips to Bolton Point to Pulbah to Slips
At the briefing two large maps will available to see the two courses.
Remember Bouyancy is compulsory in NSW
If you have a waterproof pouch, it would probably be worthwhile to take your mobile with you.
Cheers Nathan
Thank you Nathan,
I assume rego is at The Slips (not at Marmong)?
Why the 2 courses - will everyone race only one of the 2 options?
Thank you again,
[with the current forecast at ENE from 2pm, I might use the Wally]
The island would be rounded clockwise or anticlock?
Just a reminder about the Pulbah Island Classic being run tomorrow.
Registration and briefing will be held at the Slips in belmont from 11am.
Maps of the course will be handed out at the briefing,
Look forward to seeing you there. Should be a lot of fun!
Marathon run and Won
Testing conditions comprising light breeze of around 8 - 12 knots for the majority of the adventure with a 20 knot plus rain squall to bring the fleet home.
The 22nm course was completed in a little over 1hr 30min by the first place finisher Byron with the remainder of the fleet making it back to the beach safely after the squall.Second place went to Sam Fawkes followed by Tibor in 3rd.
The entire fleet had a great sail with many individual battles taking place throughout the duration of the race.
A big thanks to Nev and Peter for manning the rescue boat ensuring everyone got back safely in what ended up being a bit of a situation during the peak of the squall.
Next years Marathon will be bigger and better, put it on the bucket list.
We look forward to seeing more attendees including longboarder's who would have reveled in today's conditions.
Its just not a race its an adventure.
Big day! Thanks to Nathan and Muz for organising it all. Didn't make it round the whole course today but will be back next time.
And a few photos taken from the rescue boat. You'll have to forgive the quality, the camera is very old and has been dropped on it's head a few times...
Awesome adventure Sunday! Can't wait for 2013......
Big thanks to Start/Rescue Boat Volunteers Neville Reeves & Peter Ineson 
Hats off to Byron for smoking the whole fleet. Tingy and Byron were neck & neck at the start of Pulbah Island loop, but Byron's local knowledge paid off for him to clear out.
Thanks to Tingy for making sure we tested big sails in 20knots.
Congratulations to Sam & Tibor taking second and third respectively.
Had a great day .in fact a great weekend after 7 full 2 lap 20 min plus races on saturday what beter way to help those sore musles. "do a marathon " on Sunday
The marathon was easier than the racing the day before. so any one can do it next year if you want to see a part of lake macqurie and have some fun.
Thanks to the helpers "marmong shine thru again"
Thank to Chris Ting we had a great cat and mouse chase to pulbar culminating in a lovely talk at the top of pulbar in no wind.
Yes local knowledge and a large bit of pumping got me through the western side of pullbar.
