ICHI BAN’S MISSION TO CONQUER CORIO BAY
Top yacht cruises to Geelong
VETERAN sailor Matt Allen says he feels a responsibility to show off his Sydney to Hobartwinning boat Ichi Ban at this weekend’s Festival of Sails.
Since winning the worldclass handicap race in recordbreaking style last month, Ichi Ban has since collected the Australian Keelboat Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club.
Allen said it was only natural he brought the 52-footer to Geelong, returning to the event he won in 2004.
“When I used to live in Melbourne, we used to do it every single year, so I remember it very well,” he said of the Festival of Sails.
“It’s one of the main sailing fixtures that you do every year when you live in Melbourne.
“It’s just a great opportunity to bring my new boat, after the wins from the Sydney to Hobart race and the Australian Keelboat Championships last week, and it’s a great opportunity to do some racing on Corio Bay — it’s a great place to sail with flat water — and then to catch up with people I haven’t seen for many years.”
Allen said he was most looking forward to explain his new boat’s design and technology to Geelong’s up-and-coming junior sailors.
“It makes sense when you’re coming back from Hobart to stop through Melbourne and Geelong,” he said.
“We don’t do it every year, but we were really keen to do it this year, especially having the Australian Keelboat Championships last week at Sandringham Yacht Club.
“We really love to show the boat off. We love the technology and we put in a lot of modifications to the boat that has meant that it is capable of doing races like the Sydney to Hobart race.
“It’s the most recently built boat, possibly with Ray Roberts’ new Hollywood Boulevard, so it’s among one of the most modern boats anywhere in the world.
“New technology is always great to show off.”
Allen said the best part about the Festival of Sails was the “carnival atmosphere” of Australia Day weekend in Geelong.
“In Victoria, it’s always been a massive event,” he said.
“Part of it is the history — this is the 175th year, so it’s certainly one of the oldest sporting events in Australia.
“I think people get away, they’re up for having a good time, it’s Australia Day weekend and people are away from home — it’s the real carnival atmosphere Geelong puts on.”