Dinghies to make a splash

AN exciting dinghy sailing class will be on show at two southern Tasmanian sailing clubs next weekend.

The free introduction to sail and view the O’pen BIC skiff is being hosted by the Kingston Beach and Lindisfarne sailing clubs and will be run by Jessie Lawson from BIC Sport Australia, who’ll be bringing seven O’pen BIC dinghies along with her.

KBSC spokeswoman Jenny Graney said the O’pen BIC had brought a “wind of change” to the world of dinghy sailing for young sailors.

It had been designed specifically for children and young teens and was a true glide machine for real excitement on the water.

The O’pen BIC, with its modern and powerful rig, was a fast, fun boat, quick to respond, self-bailing, and was fitted by top marine hardware manufacturers.

“The O’pen BIC is the link between the Optimist generation and the new generation of sailing dinghies,” she said.

The single-handed skiff is sailed by more than 7000 young sailors around the world.

In Tasmania fleets are being formed at Lauderdale Yacht Club, there is interest at Midway Point Yacht Club and active fleets at Kingston Beach and Lindisfarne.

The sessions next weekend are open to anyone interested with further information available from David or Jenny Graney, at Kingston Beach Sailing Club on 0421 064 590 for Saturday sailing, or David Watson on 62437 867 or secretary@lindisfarnesailingclub.org. au at Lindisfarne Sailing Club for Sunday sailing.

The session times are – Saturday, September 2, at the Kingston Beach Sailing Club, from 9.30am for beginner/intermediate, 1pm start for advanced.

Sunday, September 3, at the Lindisfarne Sailing Club, 9.30am start for beginner/intermediate, 1pm start for advanced.

MARIA ISLAND RACE CELEBRATES 70 YEARS

ONE of Australia’s oldest ocean races, the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s 180-nautical mile Maria Island Race, will celebrate its 70th anniversary when it starts on Friday, November 17.

The Tasports Maria Island Race, around the rugged south-east coast of Tasmania, ranks second only to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in post-World War II ocean racing longevity.

The Sydney Hobart was first sailed in 1945, the Maria Island Race two years later, and is a qualifier for the 628-nautical mile ocean classic.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Maria Island Race, the RYCT is organising several events leading up to the start, including a reunion dinner for past competitors and a pre-race function for skippers and crew members in the final lead-up to the 2017 race.

This year, the fleet will be racing for the first time for a perpetual trophy, created by RYCT life member and past commodore Graham Taplin.

Sailing manager Nick Hutton expects a strong fleet to celebrate the 70th Maria Island Race, headed by Tasmanian Sydney Hobart entrant Oskana, Michael Pritchard’s Cookson 50.

Oskana is the former Sydney Hobart winner Victoire.

“We are looking forward to the

reunion dinner of past competitors and, of course the 70th race itself,” Mr Hutton said.

He said the Notice of Race was now up on the club website ( www.ryct.org.au) and yachtsmen and yachtswomen interested in competing can contact him at

sailing@ryct.org.au or on 6223 4599.

The Maria Island Race starts off Castray Esplanade on the foreshore of Battery Point, at 7pm on Friday, November 17.

This will give the fleet a twilight sail down the Derwent and then an overnight sail across Storm Bay, around Tasman Island and an early morning and all-day sail up the East Coast and around elongated Maria Island.

From the northern tip of Maria Island, the fleet sails down the Mercury Passage, passing Orford and back to round Tasman Island for the final legs across Storm Bay and up the River Derwent. The first yacht usually finishes on Saturday evening, depending on the breeze.

Winner of the inaugural Maria Island Race in 1947, was the Tasmanian designed and built cutter Westward which went on to win the Sydney Hobart that year and again in 1948.

GO BEHIND SCENES OF TRAINING VESSEL

A BEHIND-the-scenes view of training on one of the now permanent features of the Hobart waterfront will be the subject of the next monthly lunchtime talk organised by the Maritime Museum of Tasmania.

The brigantine Windeward Bound, built in Hobart and launched 21 years ago, is actively involved with sail training and leadership courses.

The vessel is crewed by volunteers, some spending six months on board as live-aboard crew. No experience is required prior to joining the Windeward Bound as full training is provided.

The Windeward Bound Trust has provided scholarships to more than 40 young volunteers allowing them to gain maritime qualifications, which have led to work in the industry; locally, interstate and internationally.

Next Tuesday’s talk, which will feature an appearance by naval officer Susie Graney, will be held from 12 noon to 1pm, in the Royal Society Room at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Davey Street entrance. For more information phone the Maritime Museum on 6234 1427 or email john.wadsley@maritimetas.org