CYCA Season Opening Day featuring the 17th Monica Geddes Memorial Trophy Race

This Sunday, 16 September, marks the start of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Sailing Season 2012-2013 with the traditional season opening race, the 17^th Monica Geddes Memorial Trophy - Sydney Harbour Islands Race.

The race also marks the start of the Grant Thornton Short Haul Pointscore Series. The race takes the fleet of 43 yachts around some of Sydney harbour spectacular islands including Goat, Shark and Cockatoo Islands finishing in the vicinity of Point Piper. Racing will commence at 12noon from Point Piper. The race is sailed in honour of Monica Geddes, who was President of the Associates Committee in 1994 and 1995 and was a prominent volunteer of the CYCA.

Last year's winner Lady Ann (John and Ann Kirkjian) is just one of the boats entered. thers include the 2011-2012 Grant Thornton Short Haul IRC winner, the elegant Robert Clark designed 61 year old Caprice of Huon (David Champtaloup) and Attitude, Robert Hunt's Adams Offshore 350, that claimed PHS honours last season.

A spectacular Sydney spring day is predicted for Sunday with the Bureau of Meterology forecasting mostly sunny day with light winds tending east to north easterly of 10-15 knots during the afternoon on slight seas.

Meanwhile back at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, for those members not sailing, a range of activities have been planned for the season opening day. From 1pm, members and their guests can have fun with remote controlled miniature yacht racing, enjoy the extensive bistro offering and music on the deck, as well as having the opportunity to 'Know Your Own Skin'.

The Know Your Own Skin initiative has been developed by leading physicians to raise awareness about sun damage. Former IronMan Guy Leech will be hosting an skin awareness session offering members the opportunity to visualise any sun damage (that often can't be seen), through use of a non-invasive UV camera booth.

Image: David Brogan, www.sailpix.com.au

The 17th Monica Geddes Memorial Trophy Sydney Harbour Islands Race marks the start of the 2012-2013 Summer Series