VSSA coaching this weekend will be at RBYC. As usual, Micah would expect all boats to be rigged by 9.20 am (sails down).
New Race Format for the Nationals
Over the past 2 months, the Australian National Sabot Council has been waiting for the results of a postal motion for a change to the Sabot Constitution. The proposed amendment was to change the format of the Nationals from the Long Course one race a day format, to a Short Course format similar to the style of the Nationals we hosted at Sandringham. This new format is in line with most other sailing classes and was supported by the VSSA. As of this morning, a two thirds majority (at least 4 of the 6 Sabot Zones) have voted in favour of the change. This means that from now on, the Nationals Regatta will be run in accordance with the Short Course format. Following the Invitation Race in which all sabots (National fleet and Sabot Week Fleet) compete, the remainder of the regatta will consist of upto 10 races (2 per day), each race lasting approximately 45 minutes (max 75 mins). I imagine there will still be a lay day which means that the entire regatta should take approximately one week. We expect to get final details from Northern Queensland sometime in the next week.
For those of you planning to attend the Nationals at Airlie Beach, I suggest that you make at least accommodation bookings as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Clearly, when making a booking, you should explain that you are awaiting the final dates but you need to arrive on the 26th or 27th at the latest as measurement is due to start on the 27th December. Keep an eye on the NQSSA website so that you will know the final dates as soon as they are posted. The web address is: http://www.nqsabot.com.au/
We are also starting to plan how to get the boats to Airlie Beach in a container. We need to know the total number of boats we will be sending up so if you are planning on going to AB, please email me to reserve a place for your sabot(s).
See you down at Brighton on Saturday,
Mario Kalpokas
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