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.
Mr Dexter said there are now multiple former world champions contesting the regatta, which should make it extremely competitive.
“They don’t like being beaten so they come back for more,” he says with a laugh.
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.