7:03 AM Sun 18 Apr 2010 GMT
The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is living up to it's 'Regatta City' name by hosting five Queensland Championships and an Australian Championship in the space of one month - with more major regattas just around the corner.
During the Easter Break RQYS was host to the 12' Skiff Australian Championship and the Queensland Laser Championship. Both fleets have held these regattas at RQYS in previous years and have committed to returning in the future. On completion of those regattas, RQYS hosted the Queensland School Team Sailing Championship and the Queensland Open Team Sailing Championship. Two intense, resource demanding regattas - held every year at RQYS.
This weekend, April 17 and 18, RQYS hosted the first ever RSX and Bic Techno Queensland Sailboard Championship, as well as the Impulse Queensland Championship. RSX Olympian and Australian Sailing Team Member Jessica Crisp said it was her first time visiting Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
'This has been a fantastic regatta. The Race Committee was committed to making the racing perfect and I would highly recommend Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron to any association looking for a host club', said Crisp.
'We are extremely fortunate to have an excellent team of qualified race management volunteers on standby,' said Volunteer Coordinator Dugald Henderson. 'Without them, it would be a lot harder to be able to manage a high rotation of regattas.'
Also held this weekend was the first of many Optimist Green Fleet Training Camps. Fourteen young and enthusiastic sailors were subject to a rigorous yet fun and exciting drills with everyone improving by the end of the camp.
The ANZC Day long weekend will be home for the Queensland IRC Championship with current Brisbane to Gladstone IRC winner Wedgetail (Bill Wild) tipped as a hot favourite to win this years event. But waiting patiently in the wings will be Peter Harburg's new Reichel Pugh 42 Black Jack Too which will make its debut appearance at the IRC Championship.
The May long weekend will see the 29ers enjoy the spacious grassed rigging lawns and perfect racing conditions for their Queensland Championship, and then the Melges 24's will line up the following week for their Australian Championships.
'The regattas are never ending!' said Henderson. 'Five years ago we used to have a decent break over the winter season, but now it's hell for leather and we are lucky to have a breather at all!'
For more information on what's happening at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron log onto the sailing page of the website -
sailing.rqys.com.au
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is currently celebrating 125 years of sailing.
by Suellen Hurling
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