Next year, a re-launched inter-school teams championship targeted at all Victorian state and private secondary colleges has been announced by Yachting Victoria.

Sponsored by Lend Lease’s Victoria Harbour and the City of Melbourne, it is to be staged over three weekends at Docklands and will be Victorian sailing’s equivalent to rowing’s prestigious Head of the River.

The Victoria Harbour Schools Teams Racing Championship includes invitational trials in February and March 2008 with the finals to be sailed off in April.

Yachting Victoria’s CEO Ross Kilborn (left) says, “We have elevated and re launched our teams championship to give state secondary and private school sailors throughout Victoria the opportunity to race in teams of three boats for the right to become Head of Victoria Harbour and to represent the Big V at next year’s Australian Schools titles.”

“Generous sponsorship from Lend Lease and City of Melbourne has enabled us to present the event more professionally, significantly improve the quality of its race management, increase community awareness and attract more school to participate,” Mr Kilborn says.

Yachts provided
Schools nominating teams won’t need to find boats because fully equipped two person Pacer yachts (similar to those pictured above) will be provided for the entire competition.
Schools can enter more than one team and nominations are now open and will close at Yachting Victoria on February 1st 2008
Friends, families and supporters are invited to visit Docklands to enjoy Victoria Harbour‘s world class waterfront cafes and facilities whilst watching all the sailing action.

Selection trials (for up to 24 invited schools) will be staged on Victoria Harbour at Docklands on
 Thursday 21 and Friday 22nd February
 Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March 2008

The final twelve teams will sail off to decide State Championship on
 Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April 2007

The National Schools Championships will be staged in June 2008.

The new Victoria Harbour Championship Series builds on the past successful events at Docklands and is being hosted by Docklands Yacht Club.

Last year in a different regatta format, St Leonards College at Brighton took out the Victorian title and went on to represent Victoria at the national championships staged by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria off Williamstown.

Schools may also enter the Open Teams Sailing Challenge that will be held on Victoria Harbour over the weekend of January 19 and 20th, 2008.

For information on how to take up the challenge and enter, contact Yachting Victoria’s Schools Teams

Co-ordinator John Middleton - Mob 0411 453 127
Website:  www.yachtingvictoria.com.au  

More info:
Yachting Victoria:  John Middleton – Yachting Victoria  Mob 0411 453 127.
Media:    Mike Sabey – Sabey & Associates  Ph 03 9533 8030    Mob 0418 354 732