Friday, September 26, 2008

Hot fleet for 2009 Docklands Invitational

[Skandia Geelong Week media]
Competition for the 2009 Skandia Docklands Invitational will be fierce as some of Australia’s best performed IRC yachts prepare to contest the invitation only series.

“We are thrilled to have such a strong fleet contest the Skandia Docklands Invitational. The Victorian public will see some of Australia’s fastest yachts compete on Port Phillip in what is a great warm up to the Audi IRC Australian Championship,” says Regatta Chairman John Kint.

In a first, six states will be represented at the event in January, the vast majority of which will be competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart. The impressive fleet, includes: Andrew Short Marine (NSW), Black Jack (QLD), Loki III (NSW), Limit (WA), Living Doll II (VIC), Georgia (VIC), Goldfinger (VIC), Quest (NSW), Cougar II (VIC), Shortwave (NSW), Shogun (VIC), Audi Centre Melbourne (VIC), Optimus Prime (WA), Secret Men’s Business III (SA), Extasea (VIC), Dekadence (VIC), XLR8 (VIC), Chutzpah (VIC), and Voodoo Chile (TAS).

Royal Geelong Yacht Club has left the final position vacant in the fleet. "A number of New Zealand owners are still planning their 2009 sailing programs and we want to ensure there is a place left should they wish to compete with Australia's best," Kint added.

The yachts will gather at Waterfront City over two days for a five race series on the waters of Port Phillip on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd January, immediately prior to Skandia Geelong Week, Australia’s largest sailing regatta.

The response has been overwhelming with many owners expressing genuine excitement to be selected. In 2008 the Docklands Invitational trophy was won by Beau Geste, a Hong Kong yacht with a talented crew of America’s Cup sailors. Missing out on next year’s event, owner Karl Kwok said, "Unfortunately we will not be defending our title in 2009. We are currently building a new yacht and we hope to be invited back in 2010. The Invitational is a unique concept that will continue to build momentum and to receive an invitation is a privilege”.

Skandia Docklands Invitational will be held in conjunction with the King of the Docklands which made a successful debut this year and was won by the Australian Olympic Sailing Team. In 2009, the knock out competition will be developed further with an exciting new component to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Skandia Docklands Invitational is organised by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club as part of an expanded Skandia Geelong Week program. The event is proudly supported by Skandia, the Victorian State Government, City of Melbourne and Fairfax Media.
Skandia Docklands Invitational

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