5 Days Until Inaugural Race Commences
Sunday, July 29th, 2007
Start time: 1100 hours Friday 3rd August 2007
The countdown is well and truly on for the Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race which takes off from Manly on Friday 3 August at 1100 hours.
Entrants Wedgetail, Getaway-Sailing.com, Leda and Wasabi are getting in their pre-race training and are currently enduring the NSW coastal battle in the Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race. Unfortunately Wasabi has since had to retire at port however at this stage is still set to race to Great Keppel Island.
A selection of crew from fleet classic Margaret Rintoul II, are also racing in the Sydney to Gold Coast race aboard Peter Harburg’s recently purchased Swan 48 Leda. The crew are enjoying the onboard comforts which includes heating in the cabins, as they race towards the Gold Coast before finalising the crew combinations for the race to Great Keppel.
Regular Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron race entrant and keen yachtsman Ray Sweeney is eagerly anticipating the start of the race. Sweeney is using the Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race as a way of travelling north for Hamilton Island Race Week. Having recently competed in his first Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race aboard the former Sailing School Farr 36 Mondo Sweeney is excited about the next 6 weeks in the Whitsundays.
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Rear Commodore Russell McCart set to race his Farr 40 Night Nurse is gearing his crew for the race north using the opportunity to prepare for Airlie Beach Race Week.
Western Australian John Moore is travelling to the east coast to jump aboard his newly purchased Sydney 36 “This Way Up” and will make an appearance at not only Great Keppel Island, but also Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island for Race Weeks.
Most of the seventeen entrants will be crossing paths over the next six weeks as most of them venture to the Whitsundays to enjoy the glorious Queensland conditions before finally heading back to reality and their home ports.
The action for the Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race commences on Thursday night 2 August with the compulsory briefing being held at 1800 hours in the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Flags Function room overlooking Manly Harbour. From there competitors can enjoy a relaxing meal in the Boardwalk Café before getting a good nights sleep prior to the 1100 hours start on Friday 3 August.
There has been an immense interest in this race with over twenty enthusiastic crew broadcasting their availability to race. Di Buck and Neil Everson were lucky enough to be called upon and will be on the start line with Lloyds Brokers Too Impetuous and Asylum Years respectively. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Volunteer and avid yachtsman Bruce Kellerman was called upon to assist with the Radio Relay Vessel after putting his name on the potential crew list.
Spectator craft are invited to witness history at the start of the inaugural race where 17 spinnakers will fly as they commence the 348 nautical mile adventure to the tropical wonderland of Great Keppel Island.
For information regarding the Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race please check the dedicated website www.greatkeppelyachtrace.com
Photo Attached: Getaway-Sailing.com - Photo supplied with race entry form
The countdown begins
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007
The countdown begins for the Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race
Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race
Start time: 1100 hours Friday 3rd August 2007
The Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race is proving to be a popular race on the calendar with 15 yachts now entered for the first 348 nautical mile event.
Entries for the first race to Great Keppel Island close this Friday 20th July. All skippers and crew who are still considering entering are encouraged to do so before Friday’s deadline.
Amendment to Notice of Race
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
Effective Tuesday 3rd July 2007 - Amendment to NOR
Uploaded Tuesday 3rd July 2007 1500 hours