Highly competitive 505 dinghy sailors from around the World will test their tactical talent when the 2011 SAP World championship is decided off Hamilton Island’s Catseye Bay from March 20th to April 1st.
The international standard island tourist resort situated in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands has both the infrastructure and the proven experience to host the important blue ribbon event.
Besides being exposed to ideal trade wind sailing conditions the onshore facilities including the uniquely designed Hamilton Island Yacht Club promises to establish the venue as a World standard dinghy sailing destination.
Management and staff have a strong bond with the sport with 26 years of hosting Australia’s major yacht racing event the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.
It is fair to say the present management team led by multiple World champion and Olympic sailor Glenn Bourke are well experienced to host a successful regatta.
Meanwhile the new generation 505 dinghy sailors have focused their careers towards being ‘race ready’ to be fit and tactically alert for what promises to be an exciting series.
The 2010 SAP World champions Wolfgang Hunger and Julien Kleiner of Germany who demonstrated their combined skill to win the prestigious number one International honour in Aarhus Denmark could be challenged to repeat the win on the physically demanding Whitsunday waters.
However they promise to be on the pace while several Australian crews including the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron combination of Bill Cuneo and John Warlow winners of the 2008 Australian championship at Hamilton Island with Daring Kestrel will head a strong Australian challenge.
By Ian Grant.