Yachting regatta in Australian desert for first time in 20 years

The Telegraph ^ | 7/7/2010 | Bonnie Malkin in Sydney

[bruinbirdman]

Yachting regatta is being held in the Australian desert for the first time in more than 20 years after record rainfall filled up lakes that had completely dried out.

Scores of sailors from across the country have made the long journey into the Outback to take part in the event in the middle of the Simpson Desert.

A monsoon in Queensland in February, during which six inches of rain fell in one day, with some towns recording their average annual rainfall in just 24 hours, has sent flows of water rushing into a series of inland lakes and rivers in remote South Australia.

Lake Killamperpunna: It has been 20 years since the Lake Eyre Yacht Club has been able to hold it's regatta

The influx of water has been so large and sustained that, for the first time in more than 20 years, some of the desert lakes are now deep enough to sail on.

More than 200 sailors from around the country have converged on Lake Killamperpunna, 520 miles north of Adelaide, with catamarans, trimarans, speedboats and even waterskis.

Normally a parched dust bowl, the lake has not been sailed on since 1989 but thanks to the rains, which have transformed the desert into lush wetlands teeming with plants and bird life, the water is up to 9ft deep in places and perfect for sailing.

Bob Backway, commodore of the Lake Eyre Sailing Club, said conditions were "beautiful" for the three-day regatta. The LESC was formed in 2000 but has never had enough water to host a regatta – until now.

"To think that just a month-and-a-half ago this area was just bone dry," he said.

"[Now] you're sailing on this beautiful lake that looks like it's been there forever but hasn't had

[tuckrdout]

Wonder if Lake George filled?

[garjog]

We were there for three weeks last May 2009. The Aussies were really hurting form lack of rain and a water shortage.

This is such a HUGE country, with a relatively small population. Most people live near the coasts, and the interior is basically hardened wilderness.

Sydney is a fantastic place for a vacation. Great food and delightful sights. The people are easygoing and generally pro-American. It is like visiting your cousins.

Here is a cool Pro- Australian video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWTxWnePn2w

[tuckrdout]

It is horrible that Global warming has caused such drought in Australia. This water doesn’t mean anything more than the polar ice caps have melted and soon Australia will be covered with water...

[rockinqsranch]

;) Cute.

[JSteff]

Yachting regatta is being held in the Australian desert for the first time in more than 20 years after record rainfall filled up lakes that had completely dried out.

Bush's fault, global warming that he left for Barry to fix.