CYCA to run Sydney - Mooloolaba Race

by Peter Campbell on 24 Jan 2000 The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia announced today that it will now conduct an annual Sydney - Mooloolaba Race in conjunction with Mooloolaba Yacht Club, adding yet another challenging long distance ocean race to its extensive portfolio.
In keeping with the CYCA's history of conducting long ocean races and emphasis on safety and crew training, the Club has agreed to continue the tradition of the pre-Easter race to Queensland's Sunshine Coast, after the event's future looked in jeopardy.
'It is important that long ocean passages feature regularly on the Australian sailing calendar to give crews the opportunity to test their seamanship skills and gain the experience necessary to compete in a Category 1 race such as the Telstra Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race,' said CYCA Sailing Manager Phil Thompson.
'Another reason we wish to maintain this race is to cater for the strong PHS and non-grand prix IMS yachts within the CYCA and other club fleets,' he said.
'Fittingly, the Sydney - Mooloolaba Race is also the final race of the CYCA's annual prestigious Bluewater Pointscore from which the 1999-2000 IMS Bluewater Champion will be announced,' Thompson added.
The 469 nautical mile race to Mooloolaba began in 1964 as a feeder race to the important Easter Brisbane to Gladstone Race and over the years has developed into a popular autumn event, attracting Australia's best yachts and crews. It is the second longest offshore race sailed on the Australian East Coast outside of the CYCA's most prominent race, the Telstra Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
The race record holder is George Snow's maxi yacht Brindabella, which set a time of 44 hours 01 minutes 43 seconds in 1994. Apollo, Helsal II and Brindabella have each won the line/handicap double while other prominent handicap winners in recent years have included Australian international competitors Ragamuffin and ABN Amro Challenge, with the Sydney 40 Loco winning the 1999 race.
The Sydney - Mooloolaba Race will start from Sydney Harbour on Saturday April 15, 2000. The Notice of Race will be available from the CYCA in early February.