Mayor to fire cannon for start of race

by Lisa Ratcliffe on 11 Feb 2001 The Mayor of Woollahra, Councillor Andrew Petrie has agreed to be the official starter for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's final summer offshore race, the
Sunlover Holidays Sydney - Mooloolaba Yacht Race.

This Saturday at 1.00pm, Councillor Petrie and his wife Edwina will farewell the fleet of 42 yachts on their 469 nautical mile journey with a blast of cannon fire
from the CYCA's start boat.

'The Club is delighted the Mayor has agreed to send-off the fleet on their long journey north to the Sunshine Coast,' said Commodore Hugo van Kretschmar.
'Each year Woollahra Council assists the CYCA greatly with its Sydney to Hobart Race preparations and we acknowledge this with gratitude,' he said.

Councillor Petrie will join the list of public figures, including Mrs Jeanette Howard, Mrs Hazel Hawke and Olympic swimmers Susie O'Neill and Shane Gould,
who have fired the cannon, which each year signals the start of the famous Telstra Sydney to Hobart Race.

The 18th century replica cannon that will start the Sunlover Holidays Sydney - Mooloolaba Race on Saturday April 15 is similar to the type used by Captain
Cook on board the Young Endeavour.

Sailing Online will be covering the race in detail
By:
Lisa Ratcliffe, CYCA
Date:
Tuesday, 11 April 2000
Coverage from:
Sydney - Mooloolaba Race 2000