SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week - Calling Classic Yachts

Murray Mackay's Tradition finished second in the Cruising Non Spinnaker division in 2012 © SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week Media

The call has gone out for entrants to join in the newly introduced Classic Yacht Class for the 9th annual SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week.

Yachts with time on their side and built for racing in an earlier era are encouraged to join the regatta which has a relaxed and friendly style. Often these boats are found to be good examples of tradition and craftsmanship, whether they are old or of a modern hull age.

PRO Denis Thompson said there are no hard and fast rules regarding qualification for the Classic Yachts Class for this year's regatta. "A classic yacht is one that has possibly been designed and built in a different era using traditional construction materials.

"We think there are quite a few around including in Townsville and across North Queensland. We are trying to encourage some of the older yachts that are there to enter. Those located as far a-field as Brisbane are also possible entrants," Thompson said.

By having their own start line Thompson said the format for racing can be modified to accommodate their need for slightly stronger wind as well the boat age and style. "We will keep them clear of the others as they usually don't manoeuvre quite as well as the other division members.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for them to enjoy the Magnetic Island experience," Thompson added.

The class will be sent out to enjoy one race per day, predominantly on pleasant reaching courses. Their handicaps will be adjusted daily to ensure all entrants have a fair chance of winning a podium place on at least one of the five race days.

Classic Yachts entrants are planned to have adjacent berths to the racing yachts, so that fellow regatta competitors and island visitors can enjoy looking at the boats in all their glory. The opening up of the regatta to classic yachts is all part of a strategy to build the SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week regatta into one of the most sought after experiences on the Queensland Racing calendar.

Race Committee Chair Paul Victory said; "It would be hard for a sailor and even a non-sailor to walk by this type of special yacht without wanting a closer look. Keeping them close to each other on the marina at Magnetic Island will help with both the social interaction between members of the Classic class and with giving them a special place of recognition with the regatta venue".

Joining the Classic Yacht Class entrants will be IRC Racing, PHS Racing, Cruising with Spinnaker, Cruising Non Spinnaker, Multihull Racing and Multihull Cruising entrants.

Entries are starting to roll into those classes with Mike Selbie's D'Eurphoria, Greg Prescott's Infinity, Geoff Fogarty's Ruby and Vaughan Thompson's Unhinged early entries in the Cruising Spinnaker Class. Other entries received are IRC Racing's Ponyo owned by David Currie and Cruising Non Spinnaker's Guy Carton's No Legends.

The SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week online entry and Notice of Race are at www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au.