Go ahead and plan, but maybe it would be prudent to get refundable plane tickets.
I don't know all the details, but I believe the change away from Perth had something to do with the expense of moving enough charter boats across the continent. There will be some there for the ISAF Worlds in December, but not enough.
Makes sense. I guess Brisbane is much more accessible than Perth to most Australian Laser sailors too.
I was excited about Perth. It's one of my favorite cities in the whole world. But Brisbane is a wonderful city too (was there in 2000) and there are plenty of other fantastic places to visit in Queensland - Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Fraser Island. This could be one of the best Masters Worlds destinations ever.
A word of advice to anyone thinking of coming - there is an onsite motel at the sailing club (http://www.manlymarinacove.com/) but once that and a couple of smaller local places fill up you may have to travel a shortish distance to find a bed. There are plenty of options within a 25 minute drive (closer to the city centre) or probably camping at the club if you are equipped, but not much within an easy walk.
Of course the organisers may be looking into other accommodation deals, but if I was thinking of travelling to the regatta I'd be thinking about making a tentative booking at the motel.
Call me a cynic Tony but I would bet most of the motel will be taken up by officials as the dorms at Yachting Queensland will certainly not be good enough for our esteemed juries etc. I would think lesser ranked officials will be staying in Yachting Queensland dormitories and the rest in the motel.
I will be booking the motel soon just in case I decide to go. I will not be at all surprised to be told that all rooms are already gone.
Maybe I should just toss the boat on my camper and stay on site if I can for the Worlds . Might even do that if I come up for the masters event on the 20th May. I see a lot of Radials have entered the South Pacific Laser Masters this year.
Makes sense. I guess Brisbane is much more accessible than Perth to most Australian Laser sailors too.
I was excited about Perth. It's one of my favorite cities in the whole world. But Brisbane is a wonderful city too (was there in 2000) and there are plenty of other fantastic places to visit in Queensland - Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Fraser Island. This could be one of the best Masters Worlds destinations ever.
Ha! "Less"! And you sailed in the early group! And there was that guy, the one who kept reminding us of the value of his time, who was complaining about not sailing in enough wind!The weather in Fremantle in February is warm (30C), dry and sunny and the seabreeze is nearly always in the 18-23 knot range which is less than what we have just had in San Francisco.
One comment about charter fees: I was told by a US competitor that the charter fee for the ISAF Combined Worlds amounts to over $2000 US! Since that is an ISAF event ILCA has no say in the charter fee, but if that were going to be the charter fee for the Master Worlds then I'd think that price would seriously impact participation.So what was it? The official reason I'm told is that PSA and ILCA could not agree the charter fee! So what's different in Brisbane?
If they raise the charter fees that high, it will make sense to fill a container with Lasers and ship them to and back from Australia. We do the same thing all the time for the 505 Worlds. You can get a container for $3000 one way and fit at least 15 to 18 Lasers in them. I would hope that the manufacturers can keep the charter fees at a sensible price since it is much more convenient. Otherwise participation from other countries will be affected. Congratulations on a Great Worlds Colin!! Chuck
But what about clearing customs? I thought I read someone tried this once and ran into issues.
Not an issue as long as what goes in matches what goes out. It is all just Sports Equipment.
Hi Oztayls, the dates on the Laser Downunder site for the Aus Masters Nationals are out of date - May was the old plan before the Worlds moved to Brisbane.
The Nationals are definitely on at RQ in early March. Not sure if the 5th to the 8th is the final decision, but it should be close to that. I'm hoping it moves a couple of days earlier so we have time to recover before the Worlds!