NT: Desert's biggest boat race of the year

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2007
NT: Desert's biggest boat race of the year

By Tara Ravens

DARWIN, Aug 23 AAP - Dusty workers in the sandy red desert of Central Australia are
gearing up for the outback's biggest boat race of the year - minus the water.

Alice Springs will this weekend play host to the 46th annual Henley-on-Todd Sailing
Regatta - about 1,500km from the nearest suitable body of water - in the dry Todd River
which runs through town.

Some 6,000 people are expected to watch the spectacle, as hundreds of local, interstate
and international would-be sailors attempt to win a series of tongue-in-cheek boat races
on the outback's high seas.

Among the swag of 50 metre races are the bottomless eights, surf rescue, bathtubs derby,
kayaking and the head of the river - `sailed' by running, rather than paddling, contestants.

"The ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd is one of the days of the year when everyone in Alice
Springs gets together with visitors from Australia and around the world to have a lot
of fun, try out their competitive skills and enjoy the wackiness, all in the name in of
community and a good cause," said Beth Mildred, board member of the Henley-On-Todd.

The longest running event in the Northern Territory, the Henley-on-Todd began in 1962
and is based on the famous Oxford vs Cambridge boating regattas held at Henley-on-Thames.

It is one of Australia's most well-known charity events and has raised more than $1
million for local, national and international humanitarian projects.

Ms Mildred, who is also the Honorary Commodore for the event - the second time a woman
has ever held the position - said they hoped for a strong tide of support this year.

"Ours is a water festival without water," she said.

"There's only one provision. While we love rain, we don't want any before August 25th."

AAP tr/maur/de

KEYWORD: TODD

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