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| 172nd Australia Day Sabot Regatta |
| Monday, 28 January 2008 10:00 |
|
The Australia Day Regatta is the oldest continuously held annual
sailing regatta in the world, sailed on Sydney Harbour to commemorate
the anniversary of the first European settlement in Australia. First held in 1837, only 49 years after the First Fleet sailed into Port Jackson and raised the Union Jack on the shores of Farm Cove, the regatta has become the focal point of Australia Day celebrations in Sydney.  Alternating with Gosford SC, DAC hosted this years 2008 Australia Day Sabot Regatta. The day was perfect, 8-12 knot NE winds and clear blue skies. Thirty-nine Sabots & Oppies raced, with the 1-ups starting at 2pm followed five minutes later by the 2-ups & Oppies. The sailor's ages ranged from 8-15. A lot of the competitors were fresh from the Sabot Nations, held this year at Vaucluse, and were keen to go, so competition was fierce. The sailors got off to a great start and were soon seen weaving their way towards the first mark near the Iron Cove Bridge. The course was the DAC's #2 NE course which takes the sailors twice around the cove, weaving in and out of the bays, then a final circumnavigation of Rodd Island and a windward finish.  
The day had something for everyone, with stead breezes interrupted by challenging gusts that came in from different directions. The race was included in DAC's normal club racing calendar and so the sailors had to navigate through and around other much faster boat classes. After nearly two hours racing first & third place was separated by just 2 minutes. This year's 1-up winner was a DAC home boy, Marcus Whitley, who has heaps of experience sailing in state and national regattas. Marcus was closely followed in by Thomas Jensen (Supersonic) representing LC12ftSSC, and third was Dane Hughes (Charmed) from Gosford Sailing Club. In the 2-ups only 40 seconds separated 1st and 2nd. 1st was K Hansen & M Lang (Need for Speed) and 2nd was S McIntosh & D Hughes (Predator), both boats were from GSC, 3rd spot was taken by W Lusty & J Jones (Gotta B) from LC12ftSSC. Australia Day Regatta medallions were awarded to 2nd and 3rd placegetters (including crews of junior 2-up class), and nine encouragement awards were also given out. The 1st placegetters were presented (temporarily) with the perpetual trophies, as First placegetters, including junior class 2-up crews, will be invited to the Sydney Town Hall on 12 March 2008 to receive their medallions, and perpetual trophy, both of which will be engraved with the winner's name. We must also thank Tim Foster for conducting an excellent day's racing and also for being MC and conducting the presentations. |
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Sydney Current Conditions
Temperature: 16.3°C
Dew Point: 12.7°C
Relative Humidity: 79%
Wind Speed: 14.8km/h
Wind Gusts: 20.4km/h
Wind Direction: N
Pressure: 1012.9hPa
Rain Since 9AM: 0.8mm -
Sydney Forecast
Saturday:
Numerous Showers. Morning Clouds. Mild.
14 - 20
Sunday:
Afternoon Clouds. Mild.
8 - 19
Monday:
A Few Showers. Afternoon Clouds. Cool.
7 - 15