Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) has announced Wednesday 25th March 2015 as the date for the start of next year’s Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race. The race will again welcome both monohull and multihull entries for the 468 mile coastal classic.
The monohulls will race under Category 2 safety regulations while the details of the safety requirements for the multihulls are to be advised in the next few months.
MHYC’s Commodore, John McCuaig, has pushed forward to have the 2015 start date confirmed early, giving plenty of time for boat owners to plan for the race.
“The race start date should be a good fit within the Australian offshore racing calendar. It’s far enough in advance of Easter for entrants to also compete in the Brisbane to Gladstone Race or to use the Easter break to take their boats back to their home port or to return south in time for the Port Stephens Regatta,” McCuaig said.
Mooloolaba Yacht Club’s Commodore, Gary Schulz, concurred on the importance of confirming early next year’s race date. “With the date now confirmed Mooloolaba can get on with the job of organising the details of finishing the boats and planning the traditional warm welcome.”
This year’s race, which was organised very close to the start date, attracted only three multihulls led by Sean Langman’s BOQ Team Australia. They were the only team to stay racing in the light conditions and set a multihull race record of 53 hours, 48 minutes and 40 seconds.
Langman has confirmed he will again be on the start line in 2015. “I am excited about doing the race again. The emergence of what we call the AORMA, the Australian Ocean Racing Multihull Association as a national body connected to the YA, is going to give us a lot more impetuous than what the fragmented multihulls groups have been about. Having a national organisation that is following the guidelines of the Blue Book is going to be very helpful in growing the sport of offshore multihull racing.
“I am excited to have both the best of the offshore monohulls alongside the best of the offshore multihulls. And the opportunity for both those groups of offshore yachtsman to be together, not only at the start, but also at the finish and to trade stories in Mooloolaba. It will go a long way towards broadening a person’s perspectives as to what they can go to sea in,” Langman said.
The monohull record still stands. It was set by George Snow’s Brindabella in 1994 when they finished in one day, 20 hours, one minute and 43 seconds.
Expressions of interest are being sought from monohull and multihull boat owners looking to include the 2015 Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race in their program. To register an EOI, email the MHYC Sailing Manager, Andrew Phillips at andrew@mhyc.org.au.
The details of the 2015 race will be posted to http://www.mhyc.com.au/ and https://www.facebook.com/sydneytomooloolabayachtrace. .
