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What is Skandia Geelong Week? |
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Skandia Geelong Week is Australia's largest sailing regatta. First held in 1844 – Skandia Geelong Week is Victoria’s oldest sporting event and is expected to attract in excess of 450 yachts and over 4500 sailors.
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How long has the event being running? |
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The first regatta was held in 1844. In 2003, a joint venture agreement between Royal Geelong Yacht Club and the City of Greater Geelong has seen the events formerly known as the Geelong Waterfront Festival and Festival of Sail united under the umbrella of Skandia Geelong Week. |
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Who organises the racing? |
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The organising authority is Royal Geelong Yacht Club Inc. Royal Geelong was officially established in 1859 after the success of the 1858 Annual Regatta. In 2009, Royal Geelong Yacht Club will celebrate its 150th Jubilee.
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How many boats take part? |
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In 2008 over 450 yachts competed at the event. Numerous other vessels, including tall ships, passenger ferries, a cruise liner, visit Geelong adding to the atmosphere. |
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Is it just for professionals? |
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Definately not! The event is open to everyone from amateur sailors to Olympic and World Champions. The five-day racing program encompasses people from all walks of life, of all ages and abilities and with a range of boats as diverse as the crews participating.
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How many people does the event involve? |
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Approximately 4500 sailors race in the event - plus countless thousands more who flock to the Geelong Waterfront to enjoy the racing and shoreside activities.
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What else happens other than the racing? |
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More than a yachting event… Skandia Geelong Week is the Melbourne Cup of the sailing world. An estimated 100,000 visitors will head for the waterfront over the 2009 Australia Day weekend.
Australia Day week is a time to celebrate and Waterfront Geelong is the place to be. Huge crowds head for the foreshore as soon as the first yacht appears on the horizon and from that point on it is celebration time - celebration of the nation’s anniversary, celebration of the totally rejuvenated waterfront precinct and a celebration to welcome to all visiting sailors.
In a joint venture agreement between Royal Geelong Yacht Club and the City of Greater Geelong the events formerly known as the Geelong Waterfront Festival and Festival of Sail are now united under the umbrella of Skandia Geelong Week. The three-day shore side program is a free access community based event, which offers a diverse range of colorful entertainment for the entire family.
Stay tuned for 2009 shoreside program highlights! |
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I am interested in sponsorship opportunities. How do I find out more? |
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There are many ways to become involved in sponsorship and corporate hospitality opportunities - phone Rhumbline Marketing on (03)5229 9101 or email info@rhumblinemarketing.com.au |
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Do I need to book a marina berth? |
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No, lodging your entry alerts us to the fact that you are coming, and gives us the dimensions of your boat. Marina staff prepare a mooring plan to fit (read squeeze) everyone into the marina, but there's always plenty of rafting involved so please be prepared. We attempt to place all the relevant groups of boats together as far as possible - such as all the boats of a particular class (for example the Sydney 38's, the Beneteau's, etc). Temporary swing moorings are available on a first in basis and a water taxi service will be operating. |
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What is the cost for a marina berth? |
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It's free for yachts competing at Skandia Geelong Week. You can arrive on the day prior and stay till the Monday after Race Week for nothing. If you wish to arrive earlier, or depart later, you will need to call Paul at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club on (03) 5229 0799. RGYC does offer free berthing for interstate yachts competing in the Sydney to Hobart |
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I am towing my Trailable yacht to the event. Where do I go? |
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Due to extremely limited space we are unable to provide launching facilities at the Club. Launching can be done at either of the two public ramps, St Helens and Limeburners Point. Limeburners Point is the preferred ramp as a fenced facility is available to store trailers. The latter is situated approx. 1km east of RGYC. |
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Where can I store my boat trailer? |
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RGYC organises to have a fenced facility available at Limeburners Point (approx. 1km east of RGYC). Those who wish to take advantage of this facility will need to contact the Sailing Administrator on (03) 5229 3705 or sailadmin@rgyc.com.au |
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I have entered the regatta. What else do you need from me? |
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To be eligible to sail, we need every entrant to pay the entry fee by close of entries - this date will be announced shortly |
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I believe I am up to date with my documentation for the event. Can I check that you have received everything? |
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Yes. Go to the "Entry List" section of the website and click on your division. You will notice that some entrants have an "OK" listed next to them. Those entrants listed "OK" have submitted all relevant documentation and have paid the entry fee. If you are not listed as "OK" and believe you have fulfulled the requirements, you need to contact us at sailadmin@rgyc.com.au |
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Where is the Regatta Office and when will it be open? |
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There will be three regatta offices for the event depending on where the action is happening. The first bit of action is at Docklands and there will be a Regatta Office located at the Docklands for those boats involved. The action then shifts to the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria at Williamstown. The regatta office will be relocated to RYCV to answer all enquiries during that time. The Geelong Regatta Office will be based at Royal Geelong Yacht Club from Saturday 26th through to the end of the regatta and will be operational every race day from about 9am until late to make sure all your questions are answered. Prior to the regatta, it's best to contact the Sailing Administrator on (03) 5229 3705 with any queries. |
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I would like to crew on a boat. What should I do? |
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Send your brief sailing background and contact details via email to sailadmin@rgyc.com.au and we will see if we can match you up with a boat. |
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When can I see the Sailing Instructions? |
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It is our intention to post the Sailing Instructions for the event on the website in January. Please download the SIs and print a couple of copies to make sure you have them on your boat. Spare hard copies will be available from the Regatta Office for a small fee. |
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What are the Special Regulations Categories for the regatta? |
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Category 5 for most boats and Category 6 for others. Off the Beach Boats must comply with YA Special Regs Part 2. Go to the Notice of Race for more details. |
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Do I need to produce a Special Regulations Equipment compliance form? |
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No, although there will be spot checks to ensure compliance throughout the event. |
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Who sets the Handicaps? |
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The Regatta Handicapper sets the handicaps in all non-rating (i.e. IRC & AMS) Divisions. The IRC and AMS Handicapped boats have their handicap pre-assigned (ensure your Certificate is current). For the Sports Boats Divisions, we use the Sports Boat handicaps as a basis, although a small percentage of the newer designs may not have a handicap. In that case, the Regatta will set the handicap. |
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When will I know my Handicap? |
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Provisional Handicaps will be finalised in January and will be posted on the event website. |
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Can I live aboard my yacht during Race Week? |
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Yes, and you'll have lots of company. Each year hundreds of yachties live aboard, and the marina is a lively place. There are showers and toilets ashore for your convenience. |
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Can I use spinnakers in the Cruising Division? |
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Yes and No. There are divisions for both spinnaker and non-spinnaker cruisers. If you don't have a spinnaker you can race in the Non-spinnaker division. |
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Can I enter more than one handicap division? |
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Yes. In the Audi Series boats can enter any of the divisions they are eligible to enter. There is an additional cost though to be scored in the additional divisions. |
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Can I change handicap class after I have entered the regatta? |
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Yes, you can change to a different handicap class (provided the boat is eligible) at any time up to the day before the racing starts. Should you wish to change class, just send us an email to sailadmin@rgyc.com.au to let us know. |
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I do not have a handicap or a rating, can I still enter? |
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Yes, you can enter any of the PHD (Performance Handicap Division) divisions. The Regatta Handicapper will allocate your boat a suitable handicap based on the type you have and its performance or a similar boat's performance. |
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I do not have a yacht, can I charter one for the event? |
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Yes, there are numerous charter options available for Skandia Geelong Week, one of the companies specialising in charters is Mariner Boating Holidays.
For more information please phone Libby at Mariner Boating Holidays on (02) 99661244, email libby@marinerboating.com.au or visit www.marinerboating.com.au
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