Skandia Geelong Week 2007

Di Pearson updates us on the plans to make the event "bigger than Cowes"

Skandia Geelong Week (SGW), Australia’s largest sailing regatta and Victoria’s oldest sporting event, is off to a flying start in 2007 with a number of major announcements and changes, in keeping with the event organisers’ promise to make it ‘even bigger and better than its twin event', Skandia Cowes Week in England.

The good news started in July when the Victorian Premier Steve Bracks announced a $900,000 three year funding agreement.

Speaking from the host venue, Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC), the Premier said: “I am delighted to confirm that, from next year, the Victorian Government will be a significant partner in Skandia Geelong Week’s future. We look forward to working closely with everyone involved to see the event grow into a truly international, must-attend event on the world sailing circuit.”

Among other things, the deal will help with a worldwide marketing campaign and in attracting national and world championships.

The government’s announcement was followed by Skandia CEO Ross Laidlaw’s announcement that Skandia would re-sign as title sponsors for a further four years, extending their involvement for a minium of eight years.

“We were delighted to make the announcement in parallel with our twinned event Skandia Cowes Week,” said Laidlaw at Skandia Cowes Week in July. The title sponsorship of Geelong Week was first proclaimed in Cowes back in 2002, so we thought it was fitting to link the extension of our agreement,” Laidlaw said.

Adding to the excitement, RGYC signed German luxury car manufacturer Audi. Audi Australia will be both an associate sponsor and the official car sponsor for three years, starting 2007.

What’s New for 2007

First held in 1844 and officially established in 1859, SGW’s theme for 2007 is ‘above and beyond sailing’ and there will be plenty of new features on and off the water.

The sailing program will be extended at the Melbourne end, with a special invitational series based at Waterfront City in the Docklands. The fleet, which will be limited to 20, is expected to include super maxis, a strong representation of Australia’s leading grand prix yachts and an international contingent. Details are being finalised and an announcement is expected later this month.

Other sailing changes include the seven-race Audi Series, which replaces the former Scotchmans Hill Series; however Scotchmans Hill will remain the event’s official wine supplier. Open to IRC, AMS and PHS classes, the series runs from January 24-27. Previous winners include: Prima Donna, Terra Firma, Hawk (UK), Ticket of Leave, 38 Degrees South, Another Challenge, Hollywood Boulevard, Ichi Ban and Quantum Racing (2).

A new four-race Performance Racing Series, a non spinnaker division of cruising will be introduced, along with a new passage race for multihulls, and due to its popularity, PHD of the Teams Trophy is to be reintroduced.

Sailing Program

The Bundaberg National Sports Boat Championship is expected to grow in size and stature, following a national promotional campaign to celebrate the 10th anniversary. This highly competitive seven race series attracts the cream of Australia’s sports boat sailors.

Expect to see most of the previous winners back, including Too Hot to Trot, Toll Group, ESP, Team G.U.E (3), Vivace, Foamfast Max Power and Game Over.

Following on from this year’s successful formula, interest in the Sailing Scene Elliott 7 National Championship has grown and 2007 is expected to attract record numbers in excess of 25 entries from around Australia. The seven race series will be sailed on windward leeward courses within Corio Bay commencing on Thursday 25 January.

Event Coordinator Doug Jarvis commented, “We have always placed a high value on the sports boat division and we are hoping for a huge fleet in 2007. Combined with the Sailing Scene Elliott 7 Nationals, we may see in excess of 50 sports boats visiting.”

A new Docklands beginning, scheduled for January 20-21 is still veiled in secrecy and there is also talk of a celebrity yacht race, a huge cocktail party and a food and wine expo.

From the Docklands, the action moves to Williamstown, where the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria will host the first four races of the Audi Series, beginning Wednesday 24. The Super 30, Thunderbird, Multihull and S80 classes will commence on Thursday 25.

The Bundaberg Rum National Sports Boats Championship, Etchells, trailer yachts and all off the beach classes start their Corio Bay series on Thursday 25.

On Australia Day, Friday 26, the historic 34 nautical mile Passage Race from Williamstown to Geelong takes place and the monohull record beat is that of Skandia Wild Thing with an elapsed time 1hr 40mins 17secs set in 2006. Then Geelong becomes a sailing battleground for the rest of the series finishing on Sunday 28 January.

Skandia Geelong Week boasts a diverse and ever changing sailing program. In 2007, the event will hold 160 races over seven days!

Of course all the favourite series’ are back. The Teams event for IRC, AMS and PHS is on from 24-27 Jan, the Cruising Divisions for PHS, spinnaker and non-spinnaker is from 26-28 Jan and is the fastest growing series at SGW. For the first time though, a non-spinnaker division has been added.

A Multihull series is on from 25-28 Jan. In 2007 a feeder race from Blairgowrie to Williamstown is programmed for Thursday 25 Jan and the traditional 34nm passage race from Williamstown to Geelong on Friday 26 Jan and the Trailer Yacht series is from 25-28 Jan.

Organisers are looking to promote the series to a national audience over the next few years. In 2006 a new breed of owners requested more competitive racing and a variety of courses. As a result windward leeward courses were introduced. This will continue in 2007 and a bigger fleet is expected to compete.

Some of Australia’s finest and oldest classic yachts will compete in the Parks Victoria Classic Yacht Series from. 26-28 Jan and includes a re-enactment of the first official Victorian yacht race won by Paddy from Cork in 1858.

The Victorian OK Championship and Dinghy Championship are from 26-28 Jan (miscellaneous classes). One Design classes, the Etchells, S80 and Thunderbirds will also be in action on Corio Bay. The S80s and Thunderbirds have a five race series commencing in Melbourne on Jan 25, while the Etchells will compete in a six race series commencing in Geelong on the same date.

Shoreside Program

Bigger headline acts, a giant Superscreen to broadcast sailing and a fully revamped waterfront site at Geelong boosts an already packed shoreside program.

A new feature on the waterfront site will be a gourmet tasting marquee, offering fabulous food, fine wine and premium beers. The marquee will be nestled in Steampacket Gardens where the main stage is located, making this an ideal spot to enjoy the entertainment.

Diesel, Joe Camilleri & the Black Sorrows, Jimmy Cupples and James Blundell are among a long list of well-known entertainers to perform at the event, while the RAAF Roulettes and ‘Pip’ Borman in his amazing Edge 540 will once again be entertaining audiences from above.

Also from above the closing fireworks, the spectacular K-Rock Starshow, which will be given a new lease of life with multiple firing sites and an interactive soundtrack.

Regular Features

All the popular features are still in place too. Skandia Set Sail - come and try sailing program offering visitors an opportunity to experience sailing every afternoon from 4pm off Eastern Beach

The annual competition to become part of the Skandia Squad will again attract a broad range of entrants. To become part of the Squad, crews must be representative of one or more of Skandia's core values - Courage, Passion, Commitment, Creativity and Contribution. The successful entrants will receive an impressive prize pack and are assured of bragging rights.

A whole host of roving and street performers will be wandering amongst the event goers adding to the carnival atmosphere.

An expanded Marine Trade Expo will again be held in Steampacket Quay, with exhibits to include Winnebagos, Blokarts, powerboats, yachts, kayaks and Jet skis. All this within reach of the waters of Corio Bay, adding to the Expo experience and perhaps even converting those non water people to take up a marine activity.

Skandia Geelong Week currently attracts in excess of 400 competing yachts, approximately 4000 sailors and an estimated 100,000 visitors. It has an economic impact of $9.34M; (CoGG prepared estimate June 2005) and America’s Cup legend John Bertrand AM is the regatta patron.