The annual Twofold Bay two-day sailing regatta is expected to be bigger than ever next month.
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The Twofold Bay Yacht Club welcomed the B14 and Paper Tiger classes last year and will again play host to a national title regatta.
This year, the International Flying Dutchman National Titles are being held at Eden with racing to begin on Friday, February 16.
“They’re a very fast 20-foot dinghy sailed in the Olympic Games from 1960 to1992 and world championships held since 1956. We’ll even have a former three-time world champion competing,” event organiser Ted Dexter said.
The event is the 44th Twofold Regatta and will be open to all classes including Lasers, X3s , O’Pen Bics, trailer sailors right up to 40-foot keel boats.
Mr Dexter said the club would have a great layout of courses over the weekend for each class, while the Bay provided a great arena for racing.
Some of the B14s and lightweight cats are among the quickest on the water, but Mr Dexter – who races a 34-foot Adams 10 – said much of the fleet in good wind would be capable of hitting over 12 knots (around 25kmh shore speed).
“Twofold Bay can provide quite a challenge; the wind can look like it’s blowing from just one direction while it’s really quite variable,” Mr Dexter said.
“Twofold Bay is just a truly great place to sail - it's reasonably protected so you can always get a good sail in - good safe waters and lots of opportunity for different courses. “When you get two boats out on the water it’s only natural to race them,” he adds with a laugh.
He said organisers were hoping for wind speeds of about 10-15 knots, which would provide idyllic racing for the fleet.
“That would be just about perfect,” Mr Dexter said, adding that “sailing is a lot like chess, it’s very strategic and about plotting a course and reading the wind.” The Regatta is open to all classes and sailors of all abilities are welcome.
Mr Dexter said the club had a great family atmosphere with some competitors as young as seven, while sailing was a lifetime skill and people are continuing into their 90s.
A social dinner will also be a highlight on Saturday night with tickets $30 and bookings are essential.
The club has a number of X3s and O’Pen Bics available for juniors to book for racing over the weekend at a cost of $50 for both day’s sailing.
A number of volunteers and support craft will be on the water to ensure safety throughout.
Entries are open and for more info or to register visit www.twofoldbayyc.yachting.org.au.