Four yachts remain at sea in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s (CYCA) 384 nautical mile Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race this morning, with the last one expected to cross the Main Beach, Southport line shortly after 3.00pm today.
The smallest yacht in the fleet, James Cameron’s, Luna Sea, is the latest arrival into Southport Yacht Club. The Hick 35 crossed the finish line just before 6.35am, to a stunning Gold Coast sunrise.
Those remaining at sea are: Local Hero (Peter Mosely), Isabella (John Nolan), Bear Necessity (John Blair) and Mortgage Choice Rumba (Robert Carr/Stephanie Cook/Kerry Burke). The latter, an 11.2 metre Northshore 370, is furthest away, just north of Cape Byron.
Bear Necessity, at 11.5 metres long, is just one nautical mile ahead of Mortgage Choice Rumba, while the Hanse 400, Isabella, and Local Hero, the 11 metre BH36, are east of Surfers Paradise and expected to finish by around 8.50am.
Among the smallest entries in the fleet, the four are enjoying a pleasant 12 knot west/nor-westerly which is expected to fade during the day to 7 knots by 2.30pm.
With all but the four home overall winners are in place. Celestial has won the race overall from Black Jack and Wild Oats XI and backed up to also win ORCi overall from two canting keel Cookson 50’s; Colin Woods’ Pretty Fly III and Darryl Hodgkinson’s Victoire.
Rob Fisher and Paul Mara have been rewarded for their efforts in coming all the way from Tasmania, taking out PHS overall. Their Adams/Barrett 20 metre Helsal 3, led the class for most of the 29th edition of the race.
Second place has gone to She’s the Culprit. The Inglis-Jones/Hart 39, owned by the Culprit syndicate from Lake Macquarie and Newcastle, briefly flirted with the lead, but the Tasmanians reclaimed the trophy. With the wave of a wand, James Murchison’s Tripp 47, Abracadabra, rounds out the top three.
Only one yacht, Phillip King’s Last Tango, has retired from the race after sustaining forestay problems.
The official prize giving for the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will be held at Southport Yacht Club at 3.00pm today, where crews are greeted and always made welcome – a home away from home.
Thanks to all who made this a great race, and especially to all the volunteers, including those on the Radio Relay Vessel – and Helen and Kelly who work tirelessly at the radio each year conducting the finish of each yacht. They also keep body and soul together with their great meals and humour.
By Di Pearson, CYCA Media
