Winds easing: Club Marine B2K Tropical Yacht Race

'Keppel Bay - waiting for the fleet. Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race 2008' Suellen Hurling &copy

The winds have eased considerably for the fleet of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race.

Peter Harburg's Black Jack skippered by America's Cup sailor Mark Bradford is the only yacht to report on conditions in the last hour.

'Very light winds out here four to six knots from ENE. ETA now 7 hours 12 minutes, but that changes every five seconds,' reported the crew aboard Black Jack.

MDBS Koomooloo has been active with their updates advising of whales and dolphins at their current location near Breaksea Spit. Clayton Debenham and Craig Ellis's co-owned Sydney 36 Gauntlet was close by Koomooloo at the update as was Geoff Anderson's Outsider and Rudy Weber's Lloyds Brokers Too Impetuous.

The action is beginning to unfold at Keppel Bay Marina with a live band entertaining the visitors as they await the arrival of the first yacht. A marquee has been erected to house the crews with pool tables, old school arcade games as well as XXXX and Bundaberg Rum tents.

The official launch of the race will be held at 1600 with the Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Brad Carter opening the event to the public.

Keppel Bay Marina General Manager Kylie Wilson is excited at how the event is unfolding.

'This race is a great opportunity for the Capricorn Coast Community to be part of a world class yachting event. We have established a strong relationship with the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and look forward to growing the event in years to come,' said Wilson.

This is the first time a major coastal yacht race has finished at Keppel Bay Marina giving the facility a chance to showcase their facilities to the greater boating public.

Keppel Bay Marina recently opened 115 new visitor berths which they will be putting to good use when the yachts arrive. All entries have been allocated a berth in the new Red Row directly adjacent to party central.

For more information on the race - www.brisbanetokeppel.com

Learn more about Keppel Bay Marina - www.keppelbaymarina.com.au