FORECAST FAVOURABLE FOR FAST GLADSTONE YACHT RACE.

by Ian Grant on 11 Apr 2000 A near perfect forecast of freshening South East winds has been issued for the 52nd Carlton Brisbane-Gladstone yacht race starting off the historical Sandgate Pier at 11 am tomorrow.

This annual Easter blue water classic the only Australian ocean race to cater for mono and multihull craft has attracted a fleet of 72 yachts representing clubs from Papua New Guinea, Noumea and Australian ports.

They will experience light to moderate winds at the start on Moreton Bay however a high pressure system will be the controlling factor when the tacticians set their course for the first 42 miles to clear Moreton Bay.

The wind angle and velocity which is expected to blow over the deck at 15-20 knots by mid afternoon will provide the fleet with a fast passage to exit Moreton Bay off Caloundra before dusk.

Last years line honours trophy winner, the Mooloolaba Yacht Club sloop Nortruss G-Wizz co skippered by husband and wife, Ross and Yvonne Rayner of Woombye and helmed by Phil Gray has firmed as the favourite to repeat her 1999 performance.

Nortruss G-Wizz sailing before similar winds last year completed the course in just under 30 hours and while there is a strong possibility the sloop could finish under this time, they are unlikely to challenge the 21hour 59 minute 43 second record set by Bobsled in 1993.

The record breaking skipper Kerry Spencer will be racing as the sailing master on Greg Maguire’s 24 m Hamilton Island based maxi sloop Lilla which has a size and sail area advantage over Nortruss G-Wizz but her lack of suitable sails particularly spinnakers will see her outpaced by the smaller Sunshine Coast yacht.

Selecting a possible handicap winner between the match racing Mumm 36 class yachts Corum (Bill Wild,Gold Coast) and Sea Noble Engineering (Rob and Ben Noble, Scarborough) will be decided on crew endurance and tactical skills.

These two yachts raced within hailing distance of each other last year with the match race ending off Lady Elliott Island when Kevin Costin and Peter Elkington fell overboard off Corum and rescued minutes later by the Sea Noble Engineering crew.

Sydney skipper Warren Wieckmann’s record breaking Farr 40 Leroy Brown holder of two impressive class records in long distance racing including the Sydney-Hobart will be another strong handicap contender along with the Brisbane sloop Ocean Designs (Stephen Bean).