The first Crown Series Bellerive Regatta was first held in February 2005 as a result of an idea by then Vice Commodore Robin White and Stephen Keal. In the first event there were 39 dinghies and 60 keelboats and the series has grown considerably each year. The annual series has been established as Tasmania’s major yachting event and is open to all comers from IRC rating boats to all dinghy classes and off the beach catamarans. The racing is accompanied by a great social program based around the Bellerive Yacht Club including music, food and sponsors beverage products.
The last two years have produced varied weather conditions and accurate Regatta forecasts produced by Roger "Clouds" Badham have proven to be extremely useful to both organisers and competitors.
In 2008 despite extreme weather conditions, the 2008 Crown Series Bellerive Regatta was a great success with about 210 keelboats and dinghies competing over the weekend The Friday Twilight Race was sailed in a drifter with pouring rain As predicted by Regatta meteorologist, Roger Badham, both Saturday and Sunday brought consistent gale force westerly winds, however only one session of racing was cancelled and the testing conditions produced exciting racing and provided great examples of skill and seamanship.
In 2009 the friday Twilight was sailed in damp and light conditions but the weather cleared for the weekend. Saturday saw very light winds before a southerly change with strong and gusty winds providing some great afternoon sailing. On Sunday the weather cleared to a fine day with consistent 8 - 12 knot breezes making for some close racing in all classes.
The co-operative effort of sailing staff from Bellerive Yacht Club, Lindisfarne Sailing Club, Sandy Bay Sailing Club, Derwent Sailing Squadron and Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania under the leadership of experienced Principal Race Officers, Richard Gilbert, Graeme Foale, Roger Martin and Nick Hutton continue to ensure the best possible racing under all conditions.
If you would like to get involved in this years Crown Series either as a competitor or one of the volunteers please contact the Bellerive Yacht Club office on 62441353 or be email to the Event Manager at manager@belleriveyachtclub.com.au.
The Notice of Race and Entry form for the 2010 Crown Series Bellerive Regatta will be available from the Bellerive Yacht Club and other Tasmanian clubs shortly.