Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

Delivery day sets the scene for the big race at Goolwa Regatta Week

by Harry Fisher 26 Jan 2018 12:38 GMT 20-27 January 2018
Down Under Sail enjoyed sailing with the Sea Bomb team on its way to Milang – Goolwa Regatta Week © Cass Schlimbach

Sailors were treated to the lifestyle of the Lower Lakes region today as the full fleet of boats for tomorrow's Milang-Goolwa Freshwater Classic made the trip down the river a day early.

The day before the big race has traditionally been known as 'delivery day' with the bulk of the fleet enjoying a leisurely few hours sailing to the race start destination.

Down Under Sail was lucky enough to jump on board Harry Cooper's Sea Bomb and venture to Milang with a group of sailors that were enjoying a taste of the local atmosphere – whether that be having a quiet drink, swimming around the boat or pushing it to its limits, it was all in good fun.

The breeze was lacking early so boats started the voyage under motor, however as the procession moved closer to Point Sturt and then into Lake Alexandrina the breeze was up and behind the stern, creating a full set of spinnakers closing in on Milang.

If you've never been to this event, it truly is one to write down on the bucket list as the trailable yachts and dinghies roll up and park themselves in the reeds, setting the scene for a great evening in this iconic coastal destination.

As we were arriving, Dan Curtis and his team on Nerana were parked next to our spot in the reeds and set the scene for an enjoyable welcome to the township.

Later we were ferried to the foreshore and the hospitality of the Milang Regatta Club was noticeable from the outset, with dinner getting fired up on the barbecue and the drinks on ice, ready for the sailors.

Anyway, before we get carried away with how good a destination this place is, we'll let you imagine it for yourselves and start wishing you were here rather than somewhere else.

The Milang-Goolwa Freshwater Classic starts tomorrow with about 10 divisions starting every 10 minutes from about 9am.

Depending on weather, make sure you're also staying tuned to our page for the finish as we will be interviewing the boats as they cross the line.

Feature video on the delivery from Goolwa to Milang

Interview with Eli Bickley, sponsor of Goolwa Regatta Week from Coorong Quays

Related Articles

Easter Regatta at Netley Sailing Club
The club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar opened Netley Sailing Club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar for the opening night of the Easter Regatta. Posted today at 3:28 pm
Transat Paprec Day 12
Charlotte Yven & Hugo Dhallenne: "Now, it's all in the mind too!" He checked in mid-morning, and you could hear the joy in his voice — Hugo Dhallenne is doing what he loves most: racing at sea. He's at the front of the fleet in the Transat Paprec and fully enjoying this adventure alongside Charlotte Yven. Posted today at 2:41 pm
Blackwater SC cadet training weekend
Sunshine, sailing and ice-cream for 70 sailors The Blackwater Sailing Club proudly hosted an inspiring, busy and successful Cadet Training Weekend 26-27 April welcoming more than 70 enthusiastic young sailors from aged 8 to 18 for two days of skill-building, fun and adventure on the water. Posted today at 2:39 pm
Brain injury survivor to return to sailing
In support of Headway, the charity which helped him British sailor Robin Elsey-Webb is making a powerful return to offshore racing this year with the launch of Kernow Ocean Racing/ BlackDog Collaboration. Posted today at 1:23 pm
Final call for a long weekend
Place orders today before 15:30 to get delivery in time to go sailing Your time on the water is precious, and the last thing you want is to be kept away from sailing because you're waiting on new kit. In stock orders placed 1 May, before 15:30 with next day delivery will be shipped in time for the bank holiday weekend. Posted today at 12:15 pm
International 14 Easter Tray at Itchenor
Three days of varied conditions as teams prepare for the Prince of Wales Cup in Weymouth The traditional season opener of the 14 calendar is the Easter Tray. Three days of varied conditions saw a total of 14 boats launch. For some this was the first outing since the worlds in Garda, others had been out training for three weekends already. Posted today at 12:07 pm
Harken Official Supporter of 2025 Admiral's Cup
This historic international yachting regatta returns in July Harken, in conjunction with Harken ProCare, are proud to announce that we will be an Official Supporter of the highly anticipated 2025 Admiral's Cup. Posted today at 11:00 am
Mark O'Connor qualifies for SAS race
The 25 year old Dublin native is living in France to fulfil his goal of completing the Mini Transat Mark O'Connor is a 25 year old Dublin native living in France to fulfil his goal of completing the Mini Transat race. Posted today at 10:03 am
Lightning 368 Southern Championship at Up River
Training day and Noble Marine Travellers' Trophy event Saturday for the training day turned out to be the perfect day for sailing with sunshine and a nice 10 mph breeze all day long. Sunday was a different story with the sun arriving, but the wind must have still been hungover from the party. Posted today at 8:45 am
Entry open for trio of Brisbane Finn events
For three weeks in February 2026 the Finn world will descend on the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Entry has opened for the main Finn events in 2026. For three weeks in February 2026 the Finn world will descend on the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, in Brisbane, Australia, for three back-to-back major regattas. Posted today at 8:02 am