I posted this on the private members forum, but no response, despite it being viewed.

So I will re post here to gauge some reaction.

I am not sure what movement has been made regarding an Aus G C.

I have had discussions with the Ricard Withycombe, the manager of
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/pointwolstoncroft/

Regarding holding the Aus GC at his facility. It is not too far (aprox 30 min drive from the Gosford nationals.

I propose we, as group or representatives go to Point Wolstoncroft and get a guided tour, and listen to what they have to offer.

I am interested to hear what people think.

Looks like a nice place and having rooms there would be good too.

There was some talk of having the next F16 GC in France, so you may want to check with them on when/where, etc.

Firstly I should say it is just a proposal.

But it should be looked at seriously.

I know the manager personally, and he loves sailing, and he has just got the camp nationally accredited as a training facility.

The camp has a long booking list and we would be looking at April, May 2013 at the earliest.

Tell me if I am wrong or out of place. But it makes sense, that while the decision makers are all so close, they or any interested person should take a guided tour of the facility and see what it has to offer.

Take care Tony

I guess the lack of response doesn’t surprise me, but I will keep going any way.

Some reasons why Point woolly should be considered as a potential Australian Global Challenge destination.

1. It is located just over an hour north of Sydney airport.
2. It is in the southern end of the southern hemispheres largest lake. Lake Mcquarie.
3. It is on a head land, and you can set a course either side of the headland.
4. Accommodation is on site.
5. From private rooms to group bunk style and even camping if preferred.
6. Meals are all catered for. Breakfast and dinner in the big hall and lunch served on the beach. Or use the onsite kitchen or BBQ areas.
7. Easy road access for containers and space close to beach for containers.
8. Group and family activates while not sailing. EG: archery, swimming. tennis, high and low rope courses and bush walking ect.
9. Free accommodation for on water staff.
10. Mr Richard Withycombe, the manager is a mad keen sail fanatic. He is doing every thing within his budget to bring this world class venue to the sailing fraternity.

I could go on and on.

Realistically it will take three hours out of our day to get there and back and have the guided tour. Richard will be on holidays during the nationals, but will make him self available (if) we decide to have a look.

Regards Tony Jenkins

I for one would love to take a trip to Australia. Global Challenge is one of the better reason's I'd go.

Buy a boat, hold it there until after the GC, send it back with a normal container to the US, then sell it here.

I don't think there's too many Australians on here to go take a look with you.

Personally I think arranging for charter boats would be very important for a GC in Aus. There is no realistic way for most to arrange for a boat transport to that GC.

Wouter

Charter boats are important for any event like this. First you have to choose the time and place.

Charter boats are going to be hard unless you have a willing manufacturer supporting who knows they can sell the boats as used in the months afterwards. So a case of asking how big is the Australian F16 market post-GC?

Having 8 or more F16s in a container from Europe or US may be similar in price to chartering a boat for each individual. Is there an estimate for containers available? Plus you have a boat you know and trained on.

Agreed, but if you want NH boats to get shipped then the event would need to be scheduled for Jan/Feb so the boats are back in time for the local summer.

Input need more input.

Needs to be in Jan really to ensure that you get sufficient local boat numbers. This is the traditional holiday time and you do need a strong local fleet presence to make it viable.

Any other GC can't be 6 to 8 months before/after the Australian GC. Reason is logistics and costs. Events too close to each other means that people will only choose one. 18 month gap seems to work for the A-Cats between events when Aus/NZ host a worlds.

All the classes I've ever been involved with have gone to there prefered club/location and said please sir/mam will you host my regatta. It would be interesting to see what would fall out of the woodwork if the powers that be agreed in principle that the event would be in Aus in January 201X and then an info/bid pack was given to each club that currently has F16s in their fleet or has a history of hosting this sort of regatta.

Good question regarding post GC Aus. The facts are that interest is growing in Aus.
A well organized and run event will not only need charter boats for over seas competitors,but locals as well.
I see no reason why most of, if not all allocated charter boats were not pre sold, not unlike an Alter Cup.

As for container prices, I have not looked into it for a while and I can't remember. As you know James, there are enough people in the sailing industry here to get all the container info necessary.

As for a Jan / Feb date here, you would have to consider the various championships held in those months. I have previously stated that my proposal could be held 2013 Mar/Apr. If the powers to be prefer another date, a guided tour of the facility and a question and answer session and they will soon have their answers.