Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Matt Allen Banks On One Design Melges 24 Racing
High profile Australian yachtsmen Matt Allen and Warrick Rooklyn choose the Melges 24 to campaign between Hobarts.
Having both come from larger One Design classes Allen and Rooklyn are drawn to the growing Melges 24 class. Testing skills, knowledge and tactics against the calibre of successful one design sailors such as Class President Cameron Miles, Peter Chappel, Rob Brewer, Heath and Murray Walters, Warren Sare, Heath Townsend to name a few.
“We have been watching the fleet grow in Australia for the past few years and decided that now is a good time to be part of the action” said Rooklyn
CYCA Commodore and Investment Banker Matt Allen described the Melges 24 in a recent test sail as a mini Farr 52 sailing downwind. Allen has come off a 2009 season campaigning his Jones 70 Ichi Ban.
Fellow Investment Banker Howard Knight took delivery of AUS 807 in May. Knight has grown up sailing various classes in his hometown of Perth; he raced Etchells in Hong Kong and Singapore whilst working for UBS. More recently he has been heavily involved in his kids Optimist racing but decided it was time to get back into sailing himself and will race out of RFBYC. Knight plans to come to the RPAYC for the 2011 Australian Championships.
This get up and go sportsboat package has the added advantage of being easy to tow, hoist and ramp launch. With a regatta schedule that includes major events such as Geelong Week and Airlie Beach and a crew of four (360kg) it makes for an easily organised campaign.
With Australian built boats now in New Zealand, Korea and Japan the Asia Pacific region will become a force to reckon with in future International and Continental Championships. The International regatta schedule boasts more than 100 events worldwide in some beautiful and prestigious venues. Racing at major regattas is in a spirit of friendly rivalry which attracts so many people to the class.
www.melges24association.yachting.org.au
T. Walters
International Melges 24 Association of Australia
Publicity Officer