Sail Mooloolaba 2014 - It's the Vibe!
by Darren Spence 17 May 2014 22:32 BST
5 June - 6 July 2014
Sail Mooloolaba will include the Queensland IRC Championship © Teri Dodds
Trying to describe Sail Mooloolaba 2014 to those that have not experienced this exciting, multi-faceted, month-long event is like trying to make logical sense of why the infamous Aussie Kerrigan family called their home, their Castle.
If you love sailing, it has something to share with everyone. Not only are there events within the event for every taste, but the waters off Mooloolaba are among the best in the world.
You do Hamilton Island to be seen. You do Airlie Beach for a great time. Sailors come to Sail Mooloolaba to race, to be seen (in Noosa) and to enjoy sailing and all that it offers.
Sail Mooloolaba has a total of seven individual events - Sports Boats Winter Nationals and SB20 National Championship (13 to 15 June), Open Match Racing (21 and 22 June), IRC State Championship along with the Yacht and Multihull event (28 and 29 June), Radio Controlled Yachts (1 July), Combined Clubs Fun Sail (2 July), Schools Match Racing (3 and 4 July) and Off the Beach event (5 and 6 July).
Sports Boats and SB20s
Over four weekends Sail Mooloolaba takes over the ocean off Mooloolaba beach with the first event, the Australian Sports Boat Association Winter National Titles and the SB20 National Championship attracting up to forty boats. They will blast around the offshore race course from 13 to 15 June for three days of exciting racing.
This will be the largest fleet of Sports Boats ever assembled in Australia with sailors coming from around the country.
Open Match Racing
Match Racing is all about two teams intensely battling it out to cross the finish first. There is no second place.
Over the weekend of the 21 and 22 June, Match Racing in Elliott 6s again comes to the Mooloolah River. While the crews show off their skills to avoid second place, spectators can enjoy the noise and excitement of the racing from the deck at the Wharf Tavern.
The Open Match Racing event in 2014 is attracting teams from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Big Boats
Two down, four to go. Deep breath.
Yachts and Multihulls. Not just any yacht event, but the Yachting Queensland IRC Queensland Championship.
Over the weekend of 28th and 29th June the best of the best in premier racing yachts will be crashing through and surfing down waves to see who is top dog. Last year's champion, Black Jack Too, skippered by Mark Bradford, will be there to defend their title against the best yachts in Queensland.
Over this weekend, performance and cruising yachts and multihulls will also be racing in four other divisions. There is racing and cruising for all tastes, ability and boat. So no excuses.
Radio Controlled
On Tuesday July 1st the Radio Controlled Yachts or International One Metre Class yachts take over the water from 12pm, racing off the deck at the Wharf Tavern. A sailing event where the only chance of getting wet will come from the heavens.
These are amazing sailing boats and great fun to watch. The fact that you can do it from sitting on the deck enjoying an ale, makes this sailing event attractive to both sailors and spectators. Order your lunch, sit back and watch the fun.
Fun Race
The normal Mooloolaba Wednesday afternoon Fun Race is taken over by Sail Mooloolaba on the 2nd July. This is very serious racing. No. Sorry. Seriously, there is some racing going on. Anyone can join a crew and come for a ride.
Schools Match Racing
Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th July see the kids let loose on the river in the Schools Invitational Match Racing event. Six teams will be lined up to race, one on one, in the Elliott 6s.
Come down and cheer your school on with the racing again right out the front of The Wharf complex at Mooloolaba.
Dinghies
Exhausted yet?
Finally, the dinghies and off the beach multihulls get a crack at the open water on the weekend of 5th and 6th July with racing for the tackers also on the Mooloolah River.
From Optimists to Arrow Cats there will be plenty of action. With the involvement of both Noosa Yacht Club and Maroochy Sailing Club, the event gives some river sailors the chance to stretch their legs and maybe catch a wave or two.
Is Sail Mooloolaba everything for everyone? For a sailor, it has something for everyone.
The Notice of Race for each event will be available in January 2014. For more event information, go www.sailmooloolaba.yachting.org.au