Earthrace - Gold Coast-bound

7:53 AM Tue 23 Dec 2008 GMT

'Earthrace' Earthrace Media Click Here to view large photo

Pete Bethune, skipper of the trimaran 'Earthrace' and his crew managed to broker a truce with authorities in Mooloolaba and finally guests were allowed on board after what seemed a nonsensical decision by some bureaucrats.

It seems the Round the World record breaking 'Earthrace' crew was told 'no visitors' because Bethune did not hold a commercial skippers licence.

Therefore, is every boat owner without such a licence forbidden to invite guests aboard his or her boat?

Sanity prevailed, fortunately.

'Earthrace' spent Monday and Tuesday last week at Southbank, Brisbane, and will spend Christmas at the East Coast Marina, Cleveland.

On Boxing Day and the following day the big trimaran will be berthed at the Redcliffe Wharf and late on the evening of the 27th will set a course for the Gold Coast for an early arrival on the morning of the 28th.

Pete Bethune - photographer Caroline Gautron1 Earthrace Media

Powerboat-World was intending to join the boat for the trip down to the Gold Coast, but in view of the night time departure rendering photography out of the question, we may only board her at Redcliffe and head back to the coast for her arrival.

Either way, we'll bring you the full story of her Australian coastal voyage and have a chat with her Kiwi skipper.

by Bob Wonders

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Earthrace - Gold Coast-bound

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