Sail Brisbane Website Launched

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Brisbane – Wednesday May 16, 2007:

Laser Radial Start, Sail Brisbane 2006 (Photo by Suellen Hurling)

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has launched the official Sail Brisbane website, www.sailbrisbane.com, which will host the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and other useful information regarding the event.

Sail Brisbane 2006 attracted 136 competing boats across an array of classes, including Brendan Casey who opted to revert back to the Laser for the regatta at his home club.

“Sail Brisbane is a fantastic regatta and a great way to catch up with the locals who are supporting my Finn campaign,” said Casey during his brief visit home for Mothers Day, prior to jetting off to Europe for the ISAF Grade 1 Holland Regatta (formally known as SPAR).

“I will definitely be back for Sail Brisbane 2007. Hopefully there will be a Finn division this year however if not then I will get back into the Laser and mix it up with the locals!” said Casey.

The 2006 470 Australian Championship was raced in conjunction with Sail Brisbane. Local campaigners Mat Belcher and Nick Behrens took out both the Australian Championship as well as the Sail Brisbane title in the 470 fleet.

“At this stage Mat and I will be returning to Brisbane and our home club for the 2007 Sail Brisbane regatta,” said Behrens. “Sail Brisbane is always a reason to come home and it’s also a great opportunity for our supporters to see us sail,” he continued.

Behrens departed for Germany yesterday to meet with skipper, Belcher, prior to a 470 training camp. After the camp they head to Greece for the European Championships.

Sail Brisbane is on the calendar as a Major Australian Sailing Team event for 2007 as a lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Local sailor Ryan Palk is also set to compete in Sail Brisbane under the watchful eye of Queensland High Performance Coach Adrian Finglas.

“As a coach I consider it extremely important for these young developing athletes to compete at events like Sail Brisbane so they experience the international level in their own backyard,” said Finglas.

Sail Brisbane 2007 is scheduled from Sunday 9th December through to Wednesday 12th December. Visiting sailors are welcomed to compete in the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Saturday afternoon club races on the 8th as training before the regatta commences.

For additional information regarding Sail Brisbane please contact the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Marine Sports Office on 07 3396 8666 or email marinesports@rqys.com.au

Notice of Race - http://sailbrisbane.com/race-documents/

For media enquires please email media(a)sailbrisbane.com