When entries closed on Friday 11 July, organisers of the annual Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race were pleased to see a quality fleet of 78 entering the winter coastal classic which will start from Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Saturday 26 July.
The Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht race marks the opening of the CYCA’s 2008/09 Blue Water Pointscore series. One late entry has been received today taking the total number of entries to 79. Late entries can still be made up until this Friday 18 July.
A fleet of top IRC racers including Steven David’s Wild Joe, Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats X, Peter Harburg’s Black Jack and four TP52s Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin, Graham Wood’s Wot Now, Bob Steel’s Quest and Alan Whitley’s Cougar II, amongst others, will be jostling on the start line in a fortnight’s time. These boats will be joined by many new boats including Geoff Boettcher’s Secret Mens Business III, Matthew Short’s Shortwave and Chris Dare’s Flirt. The historic Sanyo Maris skippered by Ian Kiernan AO will also take to the start line – coming out of retirement to celebrate her 50th birthday.
“As the Organising Authority we are very excited about the high number of quality entrants for this race. This is the third highest fleet since the race began. Depending on the weather we may just see the 9 year old race record of 27 hours 35 minutes 03 seconds set by Brindabella in 1999 fall,” said Sailing Manager Justine Kirkjian.
Seven boats will make their way north to Sydney from Victorian waters for the start of the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, with three South Australian entrants and two Queensland entrants.
Nine Sydney 38s will make up an exciting one design division for the 384 nautical mile Audi Sydney Gold Coast.
The official start of the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will be at 1pm on Saturday 26 July. When the race concludes at the Gold Coast, boats will be welcomed by key local sponsor of the Southport Yacht Club, Audi Centre Gold Coast.
This event also marks the third event in the four part Audi IRC Australian Championship series that will be decided at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Now in its second year, the Audi IRC Australian Championship sees the winner drive home in a sporty Audi Q7 SUV, as well as an Australian Championship title.
