About the Race

Traditionally the race starts on the first weekend in August, however sometimes this may be moved to fit in with the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race who start their race on the last weekend in July.

The race was launched in 2007 and the inaugural event finished at Great Keppel Island. However this finish line would be short lived with the island closing for major reconstruction and the difficulty in anchoring boats in the shallows around the island.

In 2008 RQYS approached Richard and Libby Wilson, owners of Keppel Bay Marina to arrange a potential finish outside the harbour break wall with yachts berthing in their marina. The Wilson’s jumped on board and are now an integral part of the team. The 2008 race was a huge success and yachts were much more comfortable berthing at the finish rather than anchoring.

Due to the success of the race in 2008 it was decided that Keppel Bay Marina would become the permanent finishing destination and as the years have passed, solid relationships have been made with the locals including Keppel Bay Sailing Club, Capricorn Cruising Yacht Club and Yeppoon Coast Guard.

In 2011 the race attracted high performance yachts Wild Oats XI (Reichel Pugh 100′ Maxi) and Lahana (98′ Maxi). With these key entries, the race is set to become one of the biggest offshore races on the east coast of Australia.

The Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is part of Tourism Queensland’s Season of Sailing.

Entry Data
2011	35
2010	35
2009	28
2008	25
2007	17