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