Get ready for the Catamaran Challenge

It's event week at Cowes Yacht Club for the 28th running of the Australian Air Safaris Around French Island National Catamaran Challenge on March 23.

The Club has a huge range of activities happening for the community to enjoy, starting from 10.30am.

With over 50 catamarans skippered by some of Australia's best sailors all converging on Cowes it will make a spectacular sight for everyone to enjoy when the race starts at 12noon.

A multiple national champion, Robbie Lovig will be back to defend his 2023 Line Honour Win.

"You never know what's going to happen with this race," said Robbie.

"It's a challenge just to get around the course, let alone finishing at the front of the fleet."

Also returning is 2022 Line Honour Winner James McDonald.

"I have been sailing since I was six years old, competing all over the world in multiple classes," James said.

"We enjoy the long-distance races, so we love the Around French Island race as it's the best long-distance race in the southern states."

Eighty lucky spectators will watch the race from the Wildlife Cruises Ferry which booked out in a matter of hours.

Member for Bass the Honourable Jordan Crugnale MP will officially start the race from onboard.

For those not on the ferry, Cowes Yacht Club will be the place to be to watch the race start. The club is hosting a free sausage sizzle, two for one coffee offer and plenty of give aways from Wildlife

Cruises ferry vouchers, Red Rocks Golf course vouchers and event merchandise bags, plus there are market stalls and lawn games for everyone to enjoy.

Local support 

Cowes Yacht Club Commodore Tim Modra is extremely thankful for all the incredible support from the Bass Coast community for the epic race.

"We are a small club of volunteers trying to build a race which can be enjoyed by the entire Australian sailing community and a race which puts Cowes and Phillip Island on the professional sailing map," he said.

"It would be impossible to put this on if it wasn't for all our amazing sponsors."

Australian Air Safaris is back for their third year as the event naming rights sponsor and in 2024 are providing $11,350 in prize money.

"Australian Air Safaris owner Tony Kirkhope's family were founding members of the club, and no one wants to see this race grow more than him," said Tim.

"It is clear this race is one of the most incredible in Australia, and seeing so many local competitors come back every year and now having so many top-level sailors come from interstate is just fantastic."

Australian Air Safaris are joined by The Isle of Wight Hotel who are returning as naming rights sponsor of the overall trophy winner.

The Phillip Island RSL is the naming rights sponsor of the Line Honours Trophy.

A new sponsor has joined the team for 2024. Modra Technology has played a huge role in making it easy for interstate teams to travel to Phillip Island.

Tim said alongside local businesses the council and state government had provided event funding.

"We want to give a huge thanks to Bass Coast Shire Council and the Victorian Government.

"There is also more brilliant support from Westernport Water who are back for their third year sponsoring the all-female crew trophy, and our other sponsors the Cowes Bendigo Bank Branch, Wildlife

Coast Ferries and Purple Hen Winery."

Tim believes this event will continue to grow and become a part of the Phillip Island folklore.

"This is an event where we are investing all the sponsorship money straight back into ensuring everyone from sailors to spectators leave the day having a brilliant experience," he said.

"There is no way we could do this without all this amazing community and government support."

So come down to Cowes Yacht Club from 10.10am this Saturday, March 23 and be part of the excitement of the Around French Island National Catamaran Challenge.

Cowes Yacht Club, corner the Esplanade and Osborne Avenue, only 400m from Thompson Avenue.

Activities start 10.30am. Race starts at 12noon.

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