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12:04 AM Fri 23 Jan 2009 GMT
 | | 'Some of the fleet in the Wild Oats Wines Twilight Series enjoy a light weather race on the Gold Coast's Broadwater. Photo: Courtesy Rob Mundle'
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The resurgence of interest in keelboat racing at Southport Yacht Club, on Queensland's Gold Coast, has gained even greater momentum with the announcement that Wild Oats Wines will take up Naming Rights for the club's rapidly expanding Twilight Series.
The event has grown beyond all expectations since starting with a fleet of just seven yachts last October. Organisers hoped 20 would be registered at this stage of the inaugural season, but the number now stands at 43!
The sponsorship of the Twilight Series by Wild Oats Wines will allow the organisers to strengthen the appeal of the sailing and social activities based around the racing, which is staged on inshore courses on the Broadwater each Thursday evening.
'This wonderful support from Wild Oats Wines for the Twilight Series is further confirmation that Southport Yacht Club is being reinvigorated on all fronts, including the impressive refurbishment of the clubhouse,' said the club's commodore, Neale Hollier.
'Sailing was a vital part of the foundation of this club more than 50 years ago and to see it re-emerging through what is now the Wild Oats Wines Twilight Series confirms we are on track for a great future. There is no doubt this is just the start of a wide ranging plan for the development of keelboat racing at the club.'
'Wild Oats Wines are delighted to sponsor the Twilight Series,' said the company's Queensland manager, Bronwen Colless. 'It's such a natural fit for us. Apart from the label carrying the name of a famous yacht, the refreshing, easy to drink wines we produce are perfect for sunset drinks by the water or toasting success on the water.
'Beyond that, the Oatley family is always pleased to support sailing as they share the same passion for the sport.'
Wild Oats Wines is the dynamic new wine company owned by yachting enthusiast Bob Oatley whose supermaxi, Wild Oats XI, went into the history books when she scored her fourth consecutive line honours in the recent Sydney Hobart race. Bob Oatley sold his previous highly successful wine business in 2005 and just two years ago launched the Wild Oats, Robert Oatley and Montrose labels onto the market. This new business, which is based in Mudgee in NSW, is already enjoying remarkable success locally and internationally.
The Wild Oats Wines Twilight Series came as a consequence of the efforts of six offshore sailors at the Southport Yacht Club - Leigh Dorrington, John Hall, Matt Percy, Rob Mundle, Norman Ambrose and Simon Benson. They were frustrated by the lack of sailing activity so formed the KBG (Keel Boat Group) before deciding to create the Twilight Series, a sailing and social event designed to appeal to the widest possible spectrum of sailing enthusiasts on the Gold Coast. The fleet now ranges from a 40ft timber cruising schooner through to modern offshore racing yachts.
The Wild Oats Wines Twilight Series is a pursuit event with the first yachts starting at 4pm. A prize presentation and party is held at the club after each race.
by Rob Mundle
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Sailing
