Hempel Gosford-Lord Howe Race entry available
'Polaris of Belmont'
Crosbie Lorimer
Participation in the annual Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race is strictly limited but a few slots for smaller craft are still available for this year's event.
The 414nm dash into the Tasman starts in Broken Bay on October 25.
Moorings in the Lord Howe Island lagoon for deep-draft yachts are already over-subscribed but some places remain for boats that draw 2.2m or less.
'We're very keen to have a full fleet again this year and would be pleased to hear from any skipper interested in joining the event,' said Race Director, Mark Greenwood.
'There's still plenty of time to prepare a yacht for the passage and well-priced accommodation on the Island is available. All the details are on our website and I'm happy to respond to any enquiries personally.'
Among the entries confirmed so far is the legendary Tasman Seabird Maris.
Previously owned by solo circumnavigator and 'Clean Up Australia' founder Ian Kiernan, the classic Alan Payne yawl is now campaigned by a partnership including Island identity John Green.
Maris will battle for handicap honours alongside rivals Polaris of Belmont, Inner Circle and Time Out.
The deep-draft fleet includes such Gosford-Lord Howe Race stalwarts as Kioni, Getaway Sailing, Occasional Coarse Language and Pacha. They'll be challenged by first-time entry More Witchcraft, the slick Dibley 46.
Mark Greenwood has also confirmed that Hempel Yacht Paints have signed a three-year deal to sponsor the race until 2010. 'Hempel have supported us very generously over the past two years. We're delighted they've now given us such a strong vote of confidence.
'Securing this sponsorship guarantees the future of the race.'
Skippers and crew interested in joining this year's event can find all relevant information and entry forms at www.gosfordsailingclub.com.au, or they can contact Mark Greenwood, LHI Race Director, at 0408 417 095 and lhi(at)gosfordsailingclub.com.au.
by David Salter 
Perth, WA
