 |
12:02 PM Tue 11 Nov 2008 GMT
 | | 'Looking down a line of starters with Barrenjoey Head and lighthouse in the background after the start of the Pittwater to Pittwater Ocean Race 2008. Photo by Peter Andrews - outimage.net'
Peter Andrews |
With just under a month to go to the close of entries, The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club has reported that entries are rolling in for the 2009 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race, the 28th running of the event.
Race Director Chris Stone says, 'We're pleased with the response so far and on par with where we were same time last year. We've had quite a number of enquiries in recent days, so we're still expecting a fleet of 70-75 yachts on the starting line.'
A Category 2 event, the 226nm Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Ocean race gets underway on the 2nd January 2009 at 12 noon. The race attracts racing enthusiasts from a broad base of yacht clubs across Australia and a mix of experienced offshore sailors, youth and newcomers to the sport of ocean racing due to its desirable distance, destination and spirit of the race.
The 2008 race had 60 starters representing 16 different yacht clubs stretching from far North Queensland to Victoria in the South with the 2009 race now seen entries from a number of clubs including the CYCA, RSYS, Cronulla sailing club, RQYS, RMYC Toronto, RMYC Broken Bay and RPAYC with more expected in the coming weeks.
Some of those entered so far include CYCA's Matthew Short who bought his TP52 Shortwave in May '08 and will be up for his 3rd attempt at the Coffs race having previously sailed the distance aboard his Farr 40 Short Shipped including a respectable 4th in IRC Division 1 in the 2007 race. Shortwave is a new generation TP52 and has been optimised for offshore IRC racing. Since taking ownership, Matthew has raced her to a 4th IRC Division in the Southport race and competed in the Bluewater pointscore out of the CYCA. 'We are looking forward to the 3rd Coffs Harbour race for most of our crew,' says Matthew.
Another CYCA contender, jeweller Julian Farren-Price and his keenly sailed Cookson 12, About Time is back for the 2009 race after finishing a close 2nd to Le Billet in the 2007 series and 4th overall in the Coffs race. Julian says he 'is looking forward to crossing swords again with Bill' and 'hopefully with a different outcome.'
David Elliot, the new owner of 'e11even', formerly Steve Ellis' 'Splash Gordon' a highly competitive modified Farr 40, will represent the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. Another Farr 40 contesting the race will be Cronulla Sailing Club's Gavin Mead who recently acquired Shaya Moya II. Gavin last sailed the race in 2007 with his previous boat, a Mount Gay 30 named Shaya Moya.
The Sydney 38's first entry for the race also came from the south side's Cronulla sailing Club with Peter 'Eddy' Edwards, Preddytor set to debut in the 2009 Coffs race. A number of Sydney 38s are also expected to enter.
Philip Bennett from the RSYS owns King Billy, a custom 11.5m wooden built boat built by Andrew Moncrief and Andy Hay back in 1992. Despite it creeping on in years, King Billy has some credible offshore racing experience having previously competed in the Hobart, Coffs and Mooloolaba races three times with her best result a 2nd in the IMS Division in the 1995 Hobart as well as competing the Lord Howe race once and various other events. She also won the prestigious Gascoigne Cup back in 1993.
RPAYC member, Stephen Trevillion purchased his Jarkan 12.5, On Line in 2007 with the aim of racing her in the Coffs race. 'On Line is sailed by a crew of 10, half of whom have extensive bluewater experience with the other half enthusiastic newcomers to the sport who are all looking forward to a great race,' commented Stephen. She competed in the CYCA's Cabbage Tree Island race over the week-end finishing with a 2nd in the Tasman series division.
A number of RPAYC boats are expected to race including the '07 and '08 series winner Bill Ebsary's Le Billet, a Beneteau 44.7 who will be aiming for a series trifecta, John McConaghy and his custom McConaghy 50 Second Time Around, Jimmy King and Bruce Staples and their ably experienced crew aboard Dark & Stormy Witch, a Murray 37 custom and a host of others including Pretty Woman, First Priority, Hansky, Next Moment, The Real Thing, Wild Oats X and Shot of Courage.
RPAYC Commodore Russell Murphy commented, 'The Pittwater to Coffs race is the major event on the Alfreds racing calendar and remains one of the most popular ocean races in Australia. On behalf of the RPAYC, I welcome all owners and charterers of eligible boats to compete in the 28th running of the Pittwater to Coffs Race and look forward to seeing you all in Coffs Harbour.'
The Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Offshore Series will be a two race series in 2009 with the Pittwater to Coffs Race and the Solitary Island race in Coffs Harbour on the 5th January.
The notice of race and application for entry can be downloaded from the official event website www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au
Applications for entry close 5th December 2008.
by Damian Devine
|
|
Double Is Pt, QLD
Kitesurfing - Kites
Stand Up Paddle - Wave & Cruising Boards
