Maritimo, the Schumacher 54 representing CYCA, has claimed Line Honours, second IRC Overall, first IRC Division 1 and second ORCi in the 2021 Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race which started on Good Friday.

Owned by CYCA Member Bill Barry-Cotter and crewed by fellow Members Kendal Barry-Cotter, Michael Spies (skipper) and Sam Hunt, Maritimo crossed the line first after a lot of their more fancied rivals fell by the wayside in a race of high attrition due to the fierce conditions.

“This was a great hit-out for the team,” said skipper Michael Spies after the race.

“It certainly gives us something to build on in the lead-up to this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.”

On paper, the hard running conditions should not really have suited Maritimo which is more orientated to upwind conditions. A full refit at Barry-Cotter’s Hope Island Maritimo facility after arriving from America mid last year saw the boat avoid any major breakages as the experienced crew pushed hard in wind that topped 48 knots. A minor issue with the spinnaker pole track was the only item that let the Maritimo crew down.

Maritimo was displaced for overall victory by the exceptionally well-sailed 32 foot Gladstone-based Wistari which was competing in her record-equaling 51st Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

Marking the heaviness of the conditions, nine boats, making up almost 30 per cent of the fleet, were forced to retire. Among them were Peter Harburg’s Rolex Sydney Hobart line-honours-winning (as Alpha Romeo) RP100 Black Jack and Phil Turner’s 2018 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race winning RP66 Alive with hydraulic problems.