Sail Country launched itself officially at a breakfast briefing in Albury this week, 100 days out from the October event.

The annual competition incorporates the Victorian Dinghy Championship as well as invitation and novelty races and green fleet options for young sailors competing for the first name.

Albury-Wodonga Yacht Club commodore Leanne Thomson said the dinghy championships had been held for about 30 years, but always in Melbourne.

The Border group had to convince Yachting Victoria that people would be willing to attend a regatta at Lake Hume.

“In our first year we had 120 competitors, which was actually the record,” Mrs Thomson said. “They did travel, they stayed on and made a long weekend of it.

“Being in the country people don’t have to pay for parking, they can stay and socialise afterwards because there’s open lawn areas where families can stay.

“It gave us a point of difference that people found was quite appealing to them.”

Albury-Wodonga Yacht Club marketing volunteer Mary-Anne Scully told the briefing the regatta included a social program of dinners, junior activities and a Rutherglen winery tour.

“What I think is really special about Sail Country is it does introduce young people and families to our region,” she said. “It’s about encouraging youth, adults and people who want to have a go at sailing.”

Previous competitors have included elite sailors ​​Oli Tweddell, Sarah Blank and Krystal Weir, but Mrs Thomson emphasised the regatta encompassed all abilities.

“So we did have Olympians that came, but it starts right down from seven-year-olds and green fleet,” she said.

The venue being a lake rather than a bay meant adults felt less need to stay on support boats near their competing children.

“So we actually got a lot more participation from parents who don’t sail at that elite level but wanted to be part of the regatta,” the commodore said.

Sail Country entries open on August 1, with the regatta to be held October 29 and 30.

“Given some of those boats take two people to sail, we’re looking possibly at 300 sailors on the water this year,” Mrs Thomson said.