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.
With final arrangements now being made the excitement is increasing with competitors and officials eager for the 3rd of August to arrive and to see the race start which will signify success for the first leg of the event.
The race briefing is scheduled to be held at 1800 hours at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. It is here that sailors will receive important safety notices regarding the race and the entertainment that is planned on Great Keppel Island once they arrive.
Hot favourite in the Inaugural race is season campaigner and Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron local “Wedgetail” owned by Bill Wild. Sailing Master Kevin Costin is looking forward to the race as are his experienced crew who are regulars onboard “Wedgetail” for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Rear Commodore Russell McCart is sailing his Farr 40 “Night Nurse” to Great Keppel Island and using the 348 nautical miles as a feeder race prior to competing in the Meridian Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week.
“It’s great to see the entries reach 15 for the inaugural year. This shows us that the race destination is popular and entrants will only increase in the years to come,” said McCart.
The former “Koomooloo” crew will also be racing to Great Keppel Island aboard the newly purchased classic yacht “Margaret Rintoul II”. Owner and skipper Mike Freebairn said his crew are excited about the race to Great Keppel Island because the destination offers a point of difference from other coastal races.
Melbourne to Osaka entrants “Wasabi” and “Cadi” are also set to race ensuring fierce competition for line honours between these two ocean racers, “Night Nurse” and “Wedgetail”.
The race will finish directly in front of the newly renovated Great Keppel Island Resort where the festivities will begin from when the first yacht crosses the line. The prize giving and entertainment will really take the stage on the Sunday night as all competing yachts should then be finished with celebrations continuing into the early hours of the morning.
For information regarding the Inaugural Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Tropical Yacht Race please check the dedicated website www.greatkeppelyachtrace.com.
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