Large fleet lining up for the 70th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race
by Nigel Statham 27 Mar 2018 06:37 BST
30 March 2018
Ichi Ban - QantasLink 70th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race © Jordana Statham
For the 70th time on Easter Friday, the best of Queensland and Australian yachts will line up for the QantasLink Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. Competing for the Courier Mail Cup, the fleet of over sixty yachts will start in Bramble Bay off the pier at Shorncliffe.
The 70th running of this premier blue water classic has attracted a remarkable collection of traditional and high-tech yachts.
Gladstone favourite set for her 50th, while Matt Allen introduces his latest Ichi Ban
Gladstone regular, "Wistari" (pictured) will be competing in its 50th race. Home designed and built by its long-time owner, Noel Patrick, she first entered the race in 1965. Noel's son, Scott and the family have maintained the boat since Noel's passing in 1993. Scott will honour his father in skippering "Wistari" in its 50th start this Easter. A handicap winner on four previous occasions, she can look forward to a resounding welcome from her home town supporters as she enters Gladstone harbour at the finish.
2017 Sydney to Hobart winning skipper, Australian Sailing President, Matt Allen, has entered his latest "Ichi Ban". He will be competing against his previous yacht (pictured) in which he won last year's Brisbane to Gladstone race. That yacht is now a Queensland local, renamed "Envy Scooters Beachball 52" and campaigned by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Vice Commodore Barry Cuneo. This should make for an exciting competition.
The Golden Oldies Return for the 70th
The milestone race has attracted a number of veteran and vintage yachts including Josh Walker's "Tequila", Peter Kerr's "Pagan" and Ivan Holm's "Laurabada" – returning after 16 years for her 51st Gladstone race. These yachts first raced in the early 50's and 60's and, with moderate to fresh spinnaker sailing South East winds, can still be very competitive.
Record Set to be Broken
The record is also under threat from Peter Harburg's latest "Black Jack". Rebuilt from the old "Alpha Romeo", the 100ft super maxi will dwarf most of the fleet less than half her length. Peter, with helmsman Mark Bradford, will be making their most determined attempt yet at the fourteen-year-old record of 20hrs 24mins 59secs held by "Skandia Wild Thing".
Courier Mail Cup Australia's oldest perpetual trophy
The IRC division aiming to take home the Courier Mail Cup will be the most competitive for a decade. The Courier Mail Cup remains one of the oldest perpetual trophies in Australia that has been competed for on a continual basis.
Cash Prize returns
The first race in 1949 offered a cash prize of 25 pounds for the winner. This year the PHRF Division will compete for the new "Peter Holm Cup" perpetual trophy with a $5000 cash prize attached.
QantasLink have returned this year as the major sponsor of this Queensland blue water classic, joined by Brisbane Marketing and Media Partner, The Courier Mail. These major partners will join race competitors, past and present, at a gala dinner being held at the Stamford Plaza Brisbane, Grand Ballroom tonight. This will be a fitting start to a fortnight of celebrations leading up to the Good Friday start.
It is expected that vantage points both on and off the water will be at a premium for the start at 11.00am Good Friday morning.
More information at www.brisbanetogladstone.com