Cowes Yacht Club will be running the 28th edition of arguably one of Australia’s toughest sailing endurance races on March 23, 2024.

Starting and finishing at the Yacht Club located 400m west of the pier, The Australian Air Safaris Around French Island National Catamaran Challenge is a simple navigation around French Island in Westernport Bay.

The most direct route is 70km, but most competitors will travel over 100km while navigating the race.

In the past competitors have finished in the dark with race times in excess of eight hours, but the quickest time sitting at two hours and 45 minutes.

“You never know what’s going to happen with this race! It’s a challenge just to get around the course, let alone finishing at the front of the fleet,” said Robbie Lovig who is a five-time National Champion and multiple Around French Island Line Honour winner.

The event began in 1997 as a fun event for Cowes Yacht Club Catamaran sailors.

In the early days the race would be attempted by as few as 10 Catamarans but over the years the race grew with members from other Westernport Bay based clubs. It’s now known as one of the toughest and most gruelling sailing races in Australia.

If the challenge of the race wasn’t enough, the event has over $11,000 in prize money spread across divisions and line honour trophies, with additional trophies for All Female Crew and first Female Skipper.

“This event is different every year, from the changing tides and wind conditions, competitors and boats,” Emma Rankin, two x Formula 16 National Champion and 2023 Around French Island Winner said.

“You also don’t know which way round the island you’ll be going until the day. It’s quite exciting and challenging.”

“In 2024 the event has been given national event status by Australian Sailing with competitors expected from South Australia, ACT, New South Wales and Queensland, this shows the race’s growing prestige and unique nature making is a must attend event.”

In 2024 the community has embraced and got behind the event with the Isle Of Wight returning as a major partner, joining naming rights partner Australian Air Safaris and new leading partner Modra Technologies. They join other sponsors Bass Coast Shire Council, Westernport Water, Bendigo Bank, Wildlife Coast Cruises and the Phillip Island RSL.

“Another sign of our event going from strength to strength – we are very excited to announce that the Victorian Government will be supporting the 2024 National Around French Island Catamaran Challenge through their Significant Sporting Events Program,” said a spokesperson for the organising committee.

“This funding will go a long way to ensuring we can supply all competitors and spectators with a safe and enjoyable event for both Victorian, local and interstate guests.”

The Australian Air Safaris Around French Island National Catamaran Challenge will be held on March 23 and entries are open to a maximum of 70 competitors.
Entries are open now: www.cowesyachtclub.com/afi

Cowes Yacht Club encourages the public to put a note in their diary of the event day as there will be an active program of public engagement and further details will be provided in the week before the event of these exciting initiatives.

/ Sponsored article /