43rd Australian Sabot Championships
43rd Australian Sabot Championships
Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) has been selected to host the 43rd Australian Sabot Championships (sponsors naming rights still being negotiated) and Kevin & Ross Wilson Sabot Week Regatta, on behalf of the Victorian Sabot Sailing Association Inc’ (VSSA). This event will be held on the waters of Port Phillip Bay from 27 December 2006 to 5 January 2007.
It is anticipated that approximately 200 of Australia’s best junior sailors will contest these national titles and attract hundreds of additional tourists to Bayside in Victoria. Sabot sailors are usually aged between eight (8) and sixteen (16) years and, as a result, travel with their parents, siblings and other supporters.
The Australian Sabot Championships are a closed event, which means all competitors must be selected in their respective state teams to be eligible to compete. The ten race program will be complimented by an invitation race and various social activities, including an Opening and Closing Ceremony, as well as daily trophy presentations.
The Kevin & Ross Wilson Sabot Week Regatta will be held in conjunction with the Australian Championships. Sabot Week is an event open to all other Sabot sailors, giving other juniors the opportunity to compete at a national level. It is estimated that up to 70 boats may contest this regatta which is based on the same sailing program. Sabot Week has been named after many longstanding supporters of the class in the past, and for the 43rd Championships the VSSA has honoured Kevin & Ross Wilson as Patrons of this event. The Wilson’s are internationally regarded sailors, race officers and administrators, and jurors. They will also be the Race Officers for these Championships and Sabot Week. A fuller description of their background and suitability to officiate at these championships can be found by following the link to the left.
The VSSA is the state representative body for Sabot sailing. Currently, this non-profit, volunteer based organisation has 13 affiliated sailing clubs and approximately 70 family members. The Association is currently responsible for overseeing Sabot sailing in Victoria and administering the National Sabot Championships every six (6) years.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Taylor on 03-9592-1551 (h) or 0417-832000.