Two national championships will be decided at the 2016 Festival of Sails.
One belongs to a newish class to Australia, the VX One sports boat. Numbers of the superfast and lightweight boats have been steadily rising since 2012 and up to 15 could contest the four day national series from January 22 – 25.
The Sydney 38 association envisages a similar roll-up for their national title that dates back to 2001. Victoria is the class’ historical strong-hold and the Morris Finance Sydney 38 Australian Championship returns for a three-day contest from January 23 – 25.
South Australia has ambitions of hosting the nationals as part of Port Lincoln Race Week and at least two from that state, White Knight and Clockwork Orange, are expected to travel to Geelong.
Numerous crews are gunning for the top spot, including reigning ticket holders Jen and Brenton Carnell and their Geelong-based Sydney 38, Phoenix.
The RGYC is well qualified to host major sailing titles having won the right to host the pre-Festival 2014 Gill Melges 24 World Championship and 2015 International 14s World Championship.
Early entries for the 2016 regatta have until the end of November to be eligible for the major prize of a trip for two to New York, thanks to Geelong Travel. A bonus incentive for entries from outside Victoria is the Bausele watch valued at $1,000. The two lucky winners will be drawn during the Festival from early bird entries received prior to November 30, 2015.
Photo by Sport Sailing Photography