Date pencilled in for racing return
YACHT racing on Hobart’s River Derwent has been given a tentative resumption date.
The Combined Clubs Committee, which represents The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, Derwent Sailing Squadron and Bellerive Yacht Club, this week finalised plans for a proposed joint six-race Winter Pennant Series starting on Sunday July 19 on the Derwent for keelboats from each club.
“The proposed Combined Clubs Winter Pennant Series will replace the individual club winter racing, cancelled earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said current Combined Clubs chairman Richard Bevan, Vice Commodore of The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. “Hopefully, this will follow the easing of government and health restrictions, with a move to Stage 3 scheduled for Monday, July 13. We will follow those guidelines strictly in returning to racing.
“Australian Sailing has sought clarification and/or exemptions for some sailing specific activities that relate to the 1.5m distancing and four square metre rules.
“Our plan is to give Hobart yacht owners and their crews six competitive river races as a vital lead-up to the 2020-21 Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series.
“The traditional seasonopening event, the PipeOpener, is scheduled to start on September 18, with the Combined Clubs official Opening Day set for Saturday, October 3, and first Pennant Race on Saturday, October 10,” Vice-Commodore Bevan added.