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11 December 2005, 02:03 pm

All Hands On Deck For The Volvo Ocean Race Melbourne Stopover

Sail Melbourne 2006

Melbourne, Australia

The biggest on-water celebration Victoria, Australia has seen will be a key feature of the Melbourne Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race. In addition to the spectacular action of the Volvo Open 70 yachts, up to 20 different sailing and boating events will be run on the waters around Waterfront City and on Port Phillip Bay during the stopover.

Melbourne Docklands will be overflowing with colour and excitement as recreational boaters and sailors of all abilities, from novices to the more experienced, get out on the water and enjoy the stopover celebrations.

Events will include national championships, regattas, rallies, festivals and challenges for everything from small keel boats and dinghies to historic boats and power boats. Showcasing the diversity of craft that sail and race at yacht clubs around Victoria, the sailing and boating program will illustrate that sailing and boating has something for everyone.

For those that want to try sailing, there will be a public Go Sailing programe on weekends and Australia Day run by Yachting Victoria. On the safe and protected waters of Victoria Harbour, people of all ages and abilities can sail a small dinghy in a roped off area, providing an easy introduction to sailing.

The Go Sailing programme will also run from various yacht clubs in the evening on 1 and 26 February, with club members on hand to give beginners a fun taste of sailing. 'It's easy to appreciate what an enjoyable sport sailing is, and that boating is a lifetime recreation and lifestyle,' said Yachting Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Ross KILBORN. 'But our 'Go Sailing' and 'Go Boating' activities are about demonstrating that they are also affordable and accessible for everyone. Our events at Docklands will demonstrate that sailing is for people of all ages and abilities. And our Go Sailing events at clubs will highlight how easy it is to get involved and how hospitable clubs are. We invite the community to be part of this exciting boating and sailing season.'

People interested in learning more about Go Sailing or the Yachting Victoria on-water events during the Melbourne Stopover should contact Yachting Victoria on 03 9597 0066 or email: boating@yachtingvictoria.com.au or visit www.yachtingvictoria.com.au.

Other events going on in Melbourne include:

Club Marine Challenge Rally - Supporting Kids With Cancer
Skandia Geelong Week Race Village.
Boating Victoria Motor Cruiser Rally, presented by Parks Victoria
Forster Cup
Classic Yachting Association of Australia Classic Yacht and Couta Boat Challenge
NewQuay Marina Summer Boat Show, supported by Club Marine
J24 Short Course Series
High Performance Class Racing
2006 Australian and International Access Class Championship
International Dragon Boat Festival
Top of the Bay Regatta
International Cadet Short Course Championship
Melbourne Docklands Schools Team Racing Regatta
Sail Peninsula Schnapper Point Regatta
Tasar Victorian Short Course Championships
Junior Solo Challenge

For more on the stopover events go to the Sail Melbourne website.

For all the news on Sail Melbourne CLICK HERE.

Event Media (As Amended By ISAF)

World Sailing TV

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