On the evening of Tuesday 7 April, the CYCA and its naming rights sponsor Audi Australia launched the Audi Winter Series 2009, Australia’s most established and largest ongoing winter sailing series, which falls annually in between offshore seasons and attracts fleets over 150 to Sydney Harbour weekly. 

The function was held at the CYCA, whilst Audi Australia’s new headquarters were under construction.  The prizegiving ceremony for the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race, was part of the evening with Stephen Ainsworth collecting his three trophies for his line honours, divisional win and IRC Overall win.

The Audi Winter Series commences on Sunday 26 April with the Great Veterans Race and Ladies Day Race. Currently, the fleet for the Audi Winter Series 2009 has over 110 registered contenders, with additional entries expected before the first race. Casual entries can participate as the season progresses.

It is anticipated that there will be eleven divisions including 2 non-spinnaker, and  a Sydney 38OD division. There will again be no non-pointscore races other than the opening and closing Ladies day events on 26th April and 19th July, turning the pointscore into an 11 race series, but an additional race may be dropped.  There will also be the ability to postpone the starts if necessary to enable the breezes to fill in.

The Ladies Day Race will be part of the Freedom from MS Regatta, which aims to raise awareness of MS and research funds. Yacht owners are encouraged to allow 2-5 participants onboard for the race. Visit www.msregatta.org.au or download the entry form and information from the CYCA website .

In launching the Audi Winter Series, Commodore Matt Allen said, “We thank Audi Australia Managing Director Joerg Hofmann and the Audi Australia team for their ongoing support of the CYCA and their support of yachting in general.”

In accordance with last year’s change in entry criteria for the Great Veterans Race, eligible boats over 30 years old that have previously competed in a Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race are able to compete in the race.

Each week all divisional placegetters will go in the draw to drive a luxury Audi A6 saloon for the week and will pick up great Line 7 gear. At the conclusion of the Audi Winter Series 2009, divisional pointscore winners will be announced at the Audi Winter Series Prizegiving on 17 July 2009.