inaugural Australia-

Yachts

It’s on in May the inaugural Australia- Vanuatu Yacht Race

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has announced its inaugural Aust ralia-Vanuatu Yacht Race, which is to start from Sydney on May 26. A second fleet, organised by the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club, will join the race from Brisbane on May 27. The event will be held every two years.

According to CYCA spokesman Pe ter Rysdyk 22 yachts had entered by early January an “all-time record for such an early date.”

Mr Rysdyk said the race will be started in Sydney by Vanuatu’s Presi dent Ati George Sokomanu.

It will have as marks of the course Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and Anatom, in the far south of the Vanuatu group. From Anatom con testants will make all speed for the

finishing line in the capital, Port- Vila.

Mr Rysdyk said: “As is now usual in the CYC A international races, the race will be sailed in three divisions —1.0. rated yachts, an arbitary division for unrated yachts wishing to race, and the more and more popular cruising division. This division, pioneered by the CYCA some years ago, at last gives the cruising man an opportunity to sail to far-away places under radio control and in full Category 1 safety.

“The CYCA has many more in novative features planned for this new event. Great importance is being given to the family aspect also, with specially arranged all-inclusive tours at better than economic prices.”

The Australia-Vanuatu race is sponsored by the Berkeley group.

Participants in the inaugural Sydney/Brisbane-Port-Vila race will cruise through the beautiful islands of the Vanuatu group “an unforgettable experience,” according to the yachties in the picture above, who did it.