Australian Offshore Challenge kicks off in February
February 2011 marks the start of the next Australian Offshore Challenge — and you could be a part of it. Described as “taking recreational boating to another level”, the 11-day event begins in Hobart and motors through some beautiful scenery on its way to the finish line in the Melbourne Docklands.
Competitors in this navigation rally will see the best of places like Wineglass Bay, Cape Barren Island and Wilson’s Promontory and Mornington Peninsula. They will overnight in, among other places, the Freycinet Peninsular (Tasmania), Hastings and Western Port.
The longest open water stage is from Eddystone Point to Lady Barren (Flinders Island), a distance of 53nm, and the longest day is a distance of 120nm. The longest distance between refuelling points is 102nm, from Killiecrankie to Port Welshpool.
Event organisers say that to complete the course, competitors “must follow course instruction exactly”. That means passing through all the waypoints and arriving at the designated finish checkpoints within the average speed times (it’s a navigation rally after all).
Organisers also recommend using a “day plan” to help competitors arrive at a workable crew roster and refuelling routine. When you register for the event you’ll be sent a guide laying out route details and other important information. Each competitor will also receive marine charts covering the entire course, as well as GPS positions for all waypoints.
Entries for this unique event close on January 28, 2011 so don’t waste too much time over the Christmas break before registering.