AS many as 80 boats are expected to create a spectacular sight on the Manning River this weekend as they vie for one of the region’s biggest sailing prizes.
It’s the Manning Marathon, to be sailed for the 24th time this Sunday.
A highlight of the Manning River Summer Festival, the marathon is a 34 kilometre trek from Manning Point to Taree Aquatic Club, attracting interest from up and down the coast.
The final fleet won’t be known until race day, with entries taken until noon, but organisers believe between 70 and 80 crews will be on the starting line this year.
This would compare favourably with last year’s marathon, when 82 boats contested the race, though that number was bolstered by entrants in the Australian VS championships held at Manning Point.
Conditions will have a big impact on both the results and the time in which the first boats are expected to hit the finish line, with last year’s winner Go Green completing the course in 1 hour 20 minutes, 40 seconds on the back of a strong 20 to 24 knot north east breeze.
The race normally attracts a strong contingent of boats from northern sailing clubs, particularly around the Grafton area, and that is expected to be the case again this year.
The Great Lakes is generally a major source of entrants as well, particularly considering the large number of holidaymakers in the region at this time of year.
The Taree Aquatic Club will make it a big weekend of sailing by racing at Manning Point tomorrow (Saturday).
The marathon is open to all sailing classes and will be run from three starting times.
Non spinnaker trailer yachts will be the first away away from noon, with the spinnaker trailer yachts from 12.30. Boats in contention for line honours will be delayed until 2pm to get the best of the conditions.
The race carries overall prizemoney of $1500. There will also be prizes for each class winner.