Past, Present and Future Commodores Line up for Inaugural Race
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
Start time: 1100 hours Friday 3rd August 2007
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Past Commodore Tony Love has entered his Jutson 39 Sweethart into the Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race which is scheduled to start on Friday 3 August 2007 at 1100 hours.
Love has been competitively racing Sweethart since 2001 including a Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Weeks as well as five Brisbane to Gladstones.
“At this stage I will be racing Sweethart with the crew who competed in the Sydney to Hobartâ€, said Love. “I’m looking forward to arriving at Great Keppel Island as I’ve only stopped at the island briefly during a delivery home to Brisbane from Hamilton Island.â€
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron’s Commodore and Rear Commodore are also racing in the inaugural event with Commodore Kevin Miller in his Nelson/Marek 46 Quest and Rear Commodore Russell McCart in his Farr 40 Night Nurse.
“This is a fantastic lead up to Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Weeks where Night Nurse will also be competing,†said McCart.
“The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is enthusiastic about this major offshore event and our relationship with Great Keppel Island resulted in the perfect finish destinationâ€, McCart continued.
Commodore Kevin Miller said this event is a great opportunity for yachts of all classes to compete. “The 348 nautical miles we are set to race will display spectacular scenery of the Queensland coast and the facilities available at Great Keppel Island will promise for a comfortable and enjoyable stay before heading to the next racing venue,†continued Miller.
This years Melbourne to Osaka entrant Wasabi owned and skippered by Ken Down is ready to race in the events inaugural year. Wasabi is the Sayer 12mo designed for the 5,500 nautical mile double handed marathon. Unfortunately Wasabi had to retire from the race early which was disappointing for Down.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t get to Osaka, however we are looking forward to racing this carbon fibre rocket to Great Keppel Island. I’m keen to support the race and my mate Russell McCart from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron as they have always been supportive of the events conducted at Mooloolaba,†said Down. Wasabi and her four crew will be competing in the Sydney to Southport race prior to the Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Yacht Race and then travel north to Hamilton Island for Race Week.
Season campaigner Bill Wild has entered his Hugh Welbourne 42 Wedgetail into the inaugural event to also support the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and the Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race for the inaugural year. A regular on the east coast racing circuit, Wedgetail will be the yacht the beat.
To enter the Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race log onto the dedicated website http://www.greatkeppelyachtrace.com and download the entry form.
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