Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race draws to a close
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race has drawn to a close after the presentation of trophies this morning. Yachts and crews are now departing Keppel Bay Marina on the high tide.
Peter Harburg’s Black Jack emulated name sake Sir Jack Brabham’s winning form dominating the major trophies taking out line honours, IRC and Performance Handicap. As a bonus this sleek racing yacht has set a new record with the alternate and now established finish outside Keppel Bay Marina.
Kevin Miller’s Farr 40 Bribie Star skippered by Peter Sherwood placed second on IRC and PHS with the inaugural champions Wedgetail finishing a respectable third in both handicap classes.
Bribie Star’s skipper Peter Sherwood made special mention to the crew and support team on Black Jack for their huge effort to make the start line after a quick dash from Sydney leading up to the start of the race.
“We were determined to make to race start to support our home club Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, and we are certainly glad we did,” said Black Jack skipper Mark Bradford.
Keppel Bay Marina owners Libbie and Richard Wilson were ecstatic with the events that unfolded during the race and were excited about hosting the celebrations. Libbie and Richard together with General Manager Kylie Wilson have committed to playing hosts for the 2009 race.
The skippers and crews racing in the event were bowled over by the hospitality they were welcomed with. The staff that made up the large shore based team have definitely made a mark with the crews of the competing yachts with their enthusiasm and friendly smiles. Nothing was a problem.
Vice Commodore Russell McCart emphasized that this race will grow in coming years.
“This is a fun tropical event with some serious racing involved and we hope to see more yachts, especially those from down south and up north take part next year,” said McCart.
Penny Hare, navigator on board David Elliott’s Beneteau 44.7 On Y Va won the Navigators Prize. Penny was 3 minutes 32 seconds outside the predicted finish time resulting in her winning a pair of Tasco Binoculars.
Tam Faragher from Ultimate Positioning and Mike Freebairn from MDBS Spirit of Koomooloo won the SMS Update prizes for the most communication received by the Race Media Team whilst racing.
The event has received rave reviews from virtual spectators and crews alike all stating that preparations, information and updates on the event website were regular and accurate.
The start date for the 2009 race has been scheduled for Saturday 1st August 2009.
The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Race Committee passed on their thanks and appreciation to Keppel Bay Marina for their assistance and support in making the event a huge success.
Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race finished for 2008
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
In 2007 there was a mixture of conditions from 25 knot south westerly to 2 knot northerly. In 2008 the warm Queensland weather provided the 23 competing yachts with light conditions through the entire race. Most of the crew never even had a spash of water come over the bow.
Peter Harburg’s Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack crossed the finish line 33 hours 13 minutes and 13 seconds after the 1100 hour start on Saturday 2nd August from Moreton Bay. The last boat to safely finish was Rudi Weber’s Lloyds Brokers Too Impetuous finishing at 2:50:13 early Tuesday morning.
Line Honours, IRC and PHS champions Black Jack, skippered by Mark Bradford said the crew enjoyed their first race together immensely and are looking forward to racing in their home clubs Signature Yachting event in 2009.
The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron together with the partnership of Keppel Bay Marina have already begun planning for next years race.
RQYS Vice Commodore Russell McCart said the race can only get better in the future.
“The word is well and truly out now that this race is a great event and it will be on the yachting calendar of many ocean racers in the coming years,” said McCart.
Greg Poole’s Piping Hot, Ray Sweeney’s Mondo, Kevin Horne’s Wild Spirit, Chris Morgan’s Full Bore and Geoff Anderson’s Outsider NT all decided to withdraw from the race to ensure they didn’t miss the celebrations at the end.
Outsider NT was just 2 nautical miles from the finish and had been sitting in no wind for some time before they finally decided to drop sails, power up the engine and enter the harbour.
“The outgoing tide really made the decision for us. There was no wind and we just wanted to get ashore,” said Outsider NT owner and skipper Geoff Anderson.
“We had a great race, but it was time to join the party so the engine was turned on and in we motored,” continued Anderson.
The presentation of trophies is scheduled to commence at 1100 hours this morning before crews take to the water again to travel north for both Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Those not traveling north will be returning to their home ports before going back to work.
For more information – www.brisbanetokeppel.com
Bribie Star & Wedgetail have close finish in Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race
Monday, August 4th, 2008
Kevin Miller and John Hassler’s Farr 40 Bribie Star crossed the finish line in the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race just minutes ahead of Bill Wild’s Hugh Welbourne 42 Wedgetail.
The close tussle between the rival yachts created a spectator display to the numerous spectator craft who were eagerly anticipating their arrival.
Bribie Star was skippered by Peter Sherwood in the absence of owners Miller and Hassler.
“I have spoken to Kevin and he is stoked with our result. Kevin and John stood aside as crew last week due to work commitments but let us continue with the race which was awesome,” said Sherwood.
“We did this race with the same crew as the Brisbane to Gladstone in March this year. We really do race well together, but they all think that I’m the most useless one on board!” laughed Sherwood.
The 2007 IRC and PHS winner Wedgetail had a much slower race compared with last year.
“At the finish last year we had a strong south wester push us home. It would have been great to have that again,” said owner Bill Wild.
“It was a pleasant sail up the coast but the winds were very light and sometimes quite shifty. We didn’t even get wet this year.
“We had 4 Kiwi’s on board for this race which kept us entertained,” added Wild.
The next yachts to approach the finish line are Bruce McKay’s Wasabi and Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Vice Commodore Russell McCart’s Farr 40 Night Nurse.
Rick Morgan’s Dream Lover and Cracklin Rosie owned and skippered by the legendary “Sir” Robbo Robertson are expected to arrive from approximately 1330 hours.
The Mumm 30 GOA/PDL skippered by Gray Pritchett is due in at 1555 hours as per their advice to the Race Committee as they rounded Cape Capricorn.
Ray Sweeney’s Farr 36 Mondo has reported their retirement but are making their way to Keppel Bay Marina under power.
For more information log onto the official website – www.brisbanetokeppel.com
Getaway-Sailing.com crosses the finish line in second
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
Getaway-Sailing.com, the 2007 Line Honours winner and introductory race record holder for the inaugural year crossed the finish at 04:48:03 hours this morning (Monday 4th August).
The crew are currently waiting outside the Keppel Bay Marina entrance awaiting the tide to come in some more so they can begin their after race celebrations.
“That was another enjoyable Keppel Race!” said the Volvo 60 owner Peter Goldsworthy.
“We had our work cut out for us with Black Jack in the race, but it was great to see another larger yacht in the fleet.
“We had plenty of sail changes throughout the race to ensure we kept the boat rolling.
“The crew made the decision to stay offshore for most of the race trying to hold onto the breeze and the current. It was a bit light on at some points, and at one stage we did actually drift backwards! Totally different conditions from last years race when we finished in a 20 knot south westerly.
“Now we are looking forward to the post race debrief in the bar!” continued Goldsworthy.
The next yachts are due to finish in approximately one hour. They are Bribie Star, Wedgetail with Night Nurse following closely behind.
MDBS Koomooloo has been the regular SMS updater reporting they were making some ground on Geoff Anderson’s Outsider NT and Michael Job’s Southern Cross Yachting. Koomooloo owner Mike Freebairn also reported they lost some ground to Rudi Webber’s Lloyd Brokers Too Impetuous.
Cadi, owned and skippered by John Netherton has predicted they will finish at approximately 1320 hours this afternoon.
Greg Poole’s Piping Hot has reported they have withdrawn from the race and are heading to Bundaberg. At this stage the reasons for their withdrawal is unknown, but everyone is OK.
Some action overnight on Bruce Mackay’s Wasabi saw a small fire break out, however have since reported they are safe and well and making good time to the finish line.
Black Jack takes line honours in Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
At 20:13:13 hours Sunday 3rd August Peter Harburg’s Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack slid across the finish line of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race.
As this is the first running of the race to the new destination Black Jack has set a race record that’s going to be tough to beat.
They finished the race almost in complete darkness with only torches and a spectacular meteorite shower lighting the waters of Keppel Bay.
Sailing with their Code 0 at an extraordinary 6 knots in only 3 knots of easterly breeze, the crew received a shout out from spectator craft that were following their progress from this afternoon.
Skipper Mark Bradford was extremely happy with the yacht and the crew he hand-selected.
“We were pretty lucky with the wind but it does look like it has shut down for the night. We didn’t stop during the race at all which was great especially when the breeze did die right off,” said Bradford.
“As expected Black Jack is a pedigree yacht and we are really happy with her performance and that of the crew. We gelled together with the senior guys encouraging the younger crew to get involved.
“This was our first race and already the crew is improving. We are a great team who just want to go sailing. I’d give this performance 7.5 out of ten!” continued Bradford.
Sir Jack Brabham who put his famous nickname to the yacht is thrilled with their performance and wanting to know how many laps the crew had won by. Sir Jack was reminded that this was yacht racing in a straight line!
The next yacht due to finish as at the 1705 sked is Peter Goldsworthy’s Volvo 60 Getaway-Sailing.com. Bill Wild’s Hugh Welbourne 42 Wedgetail is tipped to cross the line in third. In the 2007 race that finished at Great Keppel Island, Getaway-Sailing.com were the line honours winner with Wedgetail taking out IRC and PHS.
Ray Sweeney’s Farr 11.5 Mondo were just rounding Breaksea Spit at the 1705 sked putting them at the finish line in approximately 24 hours time.
For all the latest log onto the official race website – www.brisbanetokeppel.com
Black Jack Takes Line Honours
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
Black Jack has crossed the finish line to take line honors in the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race.
Recording a finish time of 20:13:13, the boat crossed the line in glassy conditions. Next sked is 0005 tomorrow.
Full report to follow.
Black Jack Nears On Finish As Night Falls
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
As at the 1705 sked, Black Jack is 21 miles from the finish. Getaway-Sailing in second is 76 miles from the finish. Wedgetail is 91 miles from the finish.
Bribie Star and Night Nurse in close battle for 4th position.
Winds easing in Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
The winds have eased considerably for the fleet of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race.
Peter Harburg’s Black Jack skippered by America’s Cup sailor Mark Bradford is the only yacht to report on conditions in the last hour.
“Very light winds out here. 4 to 6 knots from ENE. ETA now 7 hours 12 minutes, but that changes every 5 seconds,” reported the crew aboard Black Jack.
MDBS Koomooloo has been active with their updates advising of whales and dolphins at their current location near Breaksea Spit. Clayton Debenham and Craig Ellis’s co-owned Sydney 36 Gauntlet was close by Koomooloo at the update as was Geoff Anderson’s Outsider and Rudy Weber’s Lloyds Brokers Too Impetuous.
The action is beginning to unfold at Keppel Bay Marina with a live band entertaining the visitors as they await the arrival of the first yacht. A marquee has been erected to house the crews with pool tables, old school arcade games as well as XXXX and Bundaberg Rum tents.
The official launch of the race will be held at 1600 with the Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Brad Carter opening the event to the public.
Keppel Bay Marina General Manager Kylie Wilson is excited at how the event is unfolding.
“This race is a great opportunity for the Capricorn Coast Community to be part of a world class yachting event. We have established a strong relationship with the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and look forward to growing the event in years to come,” said Wilson.
This is the first time a major coastal yacht race has finished at Keppel Bay Marina giving the facility a chance to showcase their facilities to the greater boating public.
Keppel Bay Marina recently opened 115 new visitor berths which they will be putting to good use when the yachts arrive. All entries have been allocated a berth in the new Red Row directly adjacent to party central.
For more information on the race – www.brisbanetokeppel.com
Learn more about Keppel Bay Marina – www.keppelbaymarina.com.au
A blast to the tropics!
Saturday, August 2nd, 2008
The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race saw mixed conditions overnight with winds ranging from 2.5 knots to 12 knots.
Overnight updates from Peter Harburg’s Reichel Pugh Black Jack saw the 66’ canter off Breaksea Spit at approximately 0330 Sunday morning. At the 0705 sked this morning Black Jack was off Lady Elliott Island with 117 miles to run.
Most of the yachts are utilizing the Live SMS Updating system available to them, with comments about dining choices a favourite amongst the updates. The Beneteau 44.7 Ultimate Positioning are having an enjoyable time at sea evident from the many updates they have sent to the system.
The Radio Relay vessel Kokoda was reporting 9 knots from the south west at 0100 hours this morning giving the yachts a good push ahead.
Wild Spirit, Full Bore and Mondo are enjoying a very pleasant sail along the coast of Fraser Island and are scheduled to finish Monday at noon.
The three Farr 40s, Bribie Star, Night Nurse and Cracklin Rosie are having a race amongst themselves similar to the Beneteau 44.7s On Y Va, Alactricy and the SMS updater enthusiast Ultimate Positioning. Bribie Star is currently leading the Farr 40s.
At 0815 Ultimate Positioning reported a blown out spinnaker.
No updates have been received from Bill Wild’s 2007 IRC and PHS winners Wedgetail, however their predicted finish time has them arriving at Keppel Bay Marina at around midnight tonight. On current predications she will finish ahead of her 2007 finish time.
The positions on the yacht tracker are current as of 0705 hours Sunday morning 3rd August.
Club Marine B2K Update
Saturday, August 2nd, 2008
Black Jack is in the lead with Getaway-Sailing still hot on their heals.
The first sked has been received and the yacht tracker has now been updated. The tracker will be updated at each sked.
Between the skeds virtual spectators can stay completely up-to-date with the live updates being received from yachts.
From the live yacht updates we have received information that there is a good tussle going on between the Beneteau 44.7’s On Y Va, Ultimate Positioning and Alactrity. The Farr 40s Bribie Star, Night Nurse and Cracklin Rosie are all within a stone throw of each other.
Photos from the pre-start and start are now available to be viewed.
As at 2330 hours on Saturday evening the Radio Relay Vessel Kokoda was sitting off Noosa awaiting the next radio sked. With 2.5 knots of westerly winds, the yachts have a slow night ahead of them.