Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

GLADSTONE RACE HISTORY HONOURED.

by Ian Grant on 1 Feb 2001
The Brisbane-Gladstone Yacht Race, Queensland's premier blue water classic, has been selected as the feature aquatic sport event for The Centenary Of Federation celebrations in Queensland.

This popular 308 nautical mile ocean classic steeped in individual history will carry official Celebration Of Our Nation recognition with this year's 53rd race between both ports during the Easter holiday weekend

In many ways our national heritage is uniquely bonded with sailing and the maritime activities associated with the development of this sporting icon and the 100th birthday celebrations of our proud nation.

National pride will be a dominating theme when the thriving commercial ports of Brisbane and Gladstone join in the party mode for the special historical occasion.

As expected Flag Officers and members of the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club who have been responsible for hosting the classic race for the past 52 years realise the significant honour which has been granted to the event his year.

They are also proud of their role in promoting the sport of ocean racing and the unique history associated with the internationally famed classic.

Former Commodore, Race Director and popular Life Member Herb Prendergast enthusiastically expressed his appreciation. 'It's a major milestone for the Brisbane-Gladstone race, the sport of ocean racing and the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club'. He said.

This year's race will also record another remarkable entry in the racing log of the majestic ketch Laurabada when her second generation family skipper Doctor Ivan Holm sets her compass course for Gladstone for the 49th time.

No other yacht in the history of the sport can equal this amazing feat that started as a father's dream to become his devoted son's legacy.

There are no parallels to this legendary story, born from passion and determination to build a yacht on a strict 'Shoe-string' budget and sail on in the same event almost half a century later, with a record of continuity that is unequalled in the World of ocean racing.

Laurabada, which has sailed over 200,000 nautical miles, represents the real spirit of a family who are devoted to maintaining an unmatched love of the sport.

Her designer and builder the late Ivan Holm Sen. proudly stood watch at the helm for 43 consecutive Gladstone races simply to enjoy the fellowship of being at sea with his crew.

This tradition will continue to be respected when the legendary Laurabada sets sail on Good Friday morning for her 49th race.

As usual there will be the special 'toddy' of ships rum stowed in the liquor locker to toast another major milestone in her remarkable career and jointly celebrate the Centenary of Federation as she sails on her predicted rhumbline to Gladstone.

Related Articles

Boat Building Academy's largest female cohort
The most gender diverse course to date have launched their stunning new boats Students on the BBA's most gender diverse course to date have launched their stunning new boats. The latest 40-week boat building course run by the Academy enrolled 15 students, of which seven were women.
Posted today at 9:57 am
Dylan Fletcher previews Portsmouth
Fletcher says SailGP's Portsmouth debut offers the team the chance to 'right the wrongs'. With just a week to go until SailGP's return to Great Britain, we sit down with Emirates GBR driver Dylan Fletcher to discuss the opportunities and pressures of a home event.
Posted today at 8:57 am
Lighter Gear for Longer Days
Summer sailing demands a different approach When daylight stretches into evening and conditions call for extended sessions, hot and heavy gear can become your biggest limitation.
Posted today at 7:30 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20
Posted today at 12:11 am
Long Offshore Race winners declared in Helsinki
A demanding course across the Gulf of Finland in the Garmin ORC Double-Handed Europeans The Long Offshore Race of the 2025 Garmin ORC Double-Handed European Championship, concluded on Friday in Helsinki after a challenging 247 to 283-nautical-mile course across the Gulf of Finland and back.
Posted on 11 Jul
Best Buddies from Germany win the AEGEAN 600 2025
The second wave of finishers benefit from last night's steadier breezes Behind the first wave of finishers yesterday morning, yesterday and last night's steadier breezes helped sweep in another wave of Monohull and Multihull finishers to the race finish at Cape Sounion.
Posted on 11 Jul
Conversation with Ben Willows: CEO RS Marine Group
Some people's passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA There are some people whose passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA. Ben Willows is one of those people.
Posted on 11 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 4
Balanger dominates qualifying, storm cuts Gold fleet racing short Day four of the 2025 Moth World Championship opened at dawn with another early start for the 137 athletes from 25 nations competing on Lake Garda.
Posted on 11 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds in Aarhus overall
Thrilling Medal Series closes out a spectacular week of high-stakes foiling in Denmark The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles.
Posted on 11 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Posted on 11 Jul