With entries closing this Friday 10 July at 1700hrs for the 24th Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is pleased to have received 70 entries with more entries anticipated prior to the close of entries. The annual pilgrimage north commences at 1pm on Saturday 25th July.
Current leader in the Audi IRC Australian Championship Rod Jones's Alegria is one of those entered in the 384 nautical mile race.
“We are looking forward to the race – even if it will be a chilly start for us Queenslanders. It represents a challenge that involves not only the intricacies of the race course but also the issues of the crew management – that is how to best look after the crew to keep them functioning at their best,” said Rod
“The fleet of the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race is always of premium quality and very competitive. We don't have any pre-conceived ideas as to how we will perform against other boats, all we can do is focus on our own performance and what will be will be.
“We know that this race is the third leg of the Audi Australian IRC Championship and whilst we are leading the championship, there is still plenty of opportunity in this race for our nearest rivals Wot Now & Ruth Magic to try and catch us.
“We have a very good boat and a great group in our team and we all enjoy sailing together (although how much we will enjoy 50 plus hours together in a small confined space is another thing) and in a nutshell, that's what it's all about,” concluded Rod.
Audi Australia's managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says the company is pleased to see Alegria lining up for the start of the race, demonstrating their competitive spirit in the drive to win the 2009 annual Audi IRC Australian Championship.
“With 70 entries secured for this popular race, it is sure to be hotly contested, and we are very keen to see the event underway, taking us one step closer to a new national Champion as part of the Audi IRC series,” Mr Hofmann said.
The first international entrant for this year's race is Ray Haslar's Jive Talkin'. Jive Talkin' is a one-off Laurie Davidson Offshore boat which was purpose designed for ‘reaching/running' courses to suit our Auckland-Pacific Island kiwi-style races. Jive Talkin' has won most Pacific Island Races out of Auckland, whilst rated under ORC.
Ray is no stranger to the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, having twice sailed on Pretty Woman. “I have always felt this race would be a good challenge for Jive Talkin'. She goes upwind very well, particularly in smooth water and because of our displacement, our IRC rating is high. The crew of seven are hoping for 20-25 knots SE or sou'westerly winds,” said Ray.
After the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, Jive Talkin' will continue on to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.
Other entries received include Ed Psaltis & Bob Thomas' AFR Midnight Rambler; Andrew Short Marine's PricewaterhouseCoopers (previously known as ASM Shockwave 5), Paul Clitheroe's new Balance (which was first raced in Australia in the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2008 as Lady Courrier), Peter Millard and John Honan's Lahana, Rob Hanna's Shogun, 2008/09 CYCA Blue Water Champion David Beak's Mr Beak's Ribs, Tiare Tomaszewski & Ian Kiernan's Sanyo Maris, and Geoff Ross' Yendys.
Entries for the 384 nautical mile Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race close at 1700hrs on 10 July 2009. To download the Notice of Race and Entry Form click here .
For more information log on to http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au
German luxury carmaker, Audi, has achieved a record result for the first six months of 2009. Up more than 10% in a market that is decreasing by 16%, this record achievement follows on from 54 straight months of growth for the brand in Australia. Audi is now the fastest-growing premium carmaker in Australia.
In 2009, Audi celebrates its 100th birthday with centenary events being held around the world to mark the occasion. In Australia, Audi will celebrate its 100 years with the opening of the world's largest showroom, the Audi Lighthouse, at Victoria Park in Sydney.
Audi is also the largest sponsor of competitive yachting in Australia, and a major partner of the CYCA for key regattas including the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race and the Audi Winter Series. The company is also the principal sponsor of the CYCA's Youth Sailing Academy.
– Jennifer Crooks, Communications Manager, CYCA,
Home of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
