The Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay, in association with the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club, has announced that the Pantaenius Newport to Coffs Coast Yacht Race will start in Pittwater on 27th December 2017. The race, previously run by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, was in jeopardy after RPAYC switched to a Gold Coast finish for their event when Coffs Harbour suffered cyclone damage two years ago.
Under it's new management, this will mark the 37th running of the Coffs Harbour race.
RMYCBB Commodore Chris Lee commented, “It was a privilege to be invited to host this race which is a milestone event for our club and parallels our steady growth in all areas of the club’s activities. We are proud to support this iconic race and believe we can add to its appeal with its new format and timing.
“Rob Brown, our Development Manager and Race Director for the race, has done a great job co-ordinating the process of partnering with Coffs Harbour Yacht Club and all of the other elements necessary to stage this race.”
Rob Brown OAM said, “We are delighted to be involved with this race. We have compiled a first class race management team under Denis Thompson and look forward to providing yacht owners, crews, family and friends with a great event, here in Newport and also at Coffs Harbour.”
The race will be sailed under Category 3 + Safety which will make it more affordable and easier for yacht owners to compete without the requirement to have a High Frequency radio installed. Competitors will only need to have a VHF radio and a Satellite phone for communications. This should appeal to a wider cross section of the yacht racing community that would not normally consider contesting a race of this length, which is 230 nautical miles.
The timing of the event between Christmas and New Year should also be attractive to all involved especially for those who have to resume work early in the New Year.
Race Documentation will be available shortly.
Denis Thompson Principal Race Officer said, “I am excited to be involved with the Newport to Coffs Coast race again, having been involved with the race for ten years previously. The race is a true test of tactics and strategy with varying winds along the coast and the East Australian Current to contend with. The warm water sailing and warm welcome in Coffs is sure to appeal to a lot of sailors during the Christmas and New Year period.
Jamie MacPhail from Pantaenius Insurance said: “We are proud to be involved with such an iconic event and all of its history. I did so many of these races in the 80’s and 90’s, and it is great to see the race is safe and in good hands. It is particularly pleasing to see the race return to its original and most successful time slot between Christmas and New Year.
“With the race around 230 nautical miles it means that yachts can return home easily in a relatively short weather window. We are sure this will suit many club racers.”
Commodore Garry Innes Coffs Harbour Yacht Club said: “We are delighted to report that this race will return this summer with a new format and a new date. The Coffs Harbour Yacht Club Board are delighted to announce its full support of the RMYCBB in organizing the race. It is also fully supported by Coffs Harbour City Council and The Coffs Coast business community.
“We have had considerable interest from yacht owners here at Coffs who have shown interest because of the timing of this event.
“We are delighted to partner with the Royal Motor Yacht Club who have been very professional in the process of bringing all of this together. Working with the likes of Rob Brown and his team, is a breath of fresh air.
“It’s a new beginning for an old race, a new beginning that has the potential to see it stay alive for many decades to come,” Mr. Innes said.
