Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race entries close in three days

by Di Pearson on 5 Jul 2016 2016 Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - Entries in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s (CYCA) Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race close in three days’ time on Friday 8 July at 1700 hours, giving prospective entrants a short window to join the eclectic mix of the 72 yachts already entered.

As of this morning, numbers were at 72, topping entries of the last six years. At the pointy end, the high-profile boats include Sandy Oatley’s record holder Wild Oats XI, the two V70’s in Peter Harburg’s Black Jack and Jim Delegat’s Giacomo from New Zealand, along with Rupert Henry’s JV62, Chinese Whisper. And there are whispers another super maxi entry is on the cards…

The race opens the offshore racing calendar each year and is fundamentally the gateway to the northern circuit of races and regattas in Queensland each August and September. It is also an early opportunity for competitors to check out their opposition for the season.

Each year a number of new players and those who are making comebacks are littered throughout the fleet. Peter Bush and Bob ‘Robbo’ Robertson are two on the comeback trail and both men’s boat names reflect that fact; Bush with ‘Last Hurrah’ and Queenslander Robertson with ‘Bravo’.

Bush, a member of the CYCA Board from 1993 and Commodore from 1996-1997, filled the role of interim CEO of the Club in 1998, never guessing what the 1998 Sydney Hobart would bring. And it’s since that time that Bush had to wind back his sailing.

A corporate turnaround specialist, Bush is currently Chairman of Southern Cross Austereo. He says: “Work commitments have kept me away from sailing. I’ve had a busy few years with various jobs, so I’m looking forward to being on the water again.

“I bought Valheru and I’ve been working against the clock to get it ready for the race,” he says of the yacht that was previously owned by Tasmanian Tony Lyall.

Last Hurrah is 22 years old, but underwent optimisation to improve performance a few years ago before sustaining serious bow damage soon after the start of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart. Bush says the boat suits his purposes and has whipped it into shape, ready for a long-held promise to himself.

“I’m looking forward to the Gold Coast Race – my first offshore race in years. My long term goal is to do the 2018 Melbourne Osaka double-handed race with old sailing buddy, Alan Lang, who will be with me for the Gold Coast race,” Bush says.

“I’ve been at the CYCA a few times lately, and it’s been a nice surprise to see and be welcomed back by some old familiar faces. It feels like home.”

Time away from the sport has not been so long for veteran yachtsman Robbo Robertson, one of Queensland’s most productive offshore yachtsmen. He has tried to retire from competitive offshore sailing, but gets itchy feet every time.

With a list of successful yachts as long as your arm, and every major race and regatta on the eastern seaboard contested numerous times, ‘Robbo’s’ last comeback was the 2012 Rolex Sydney Hobart with the tongue-in-cheek named ‘Lunchtime Legend’. Now it’s ‘Bravo’ as the yachtsman looks down the barrel of his 77th birthday in December.

“I was watching the start of the Hobart race last year and got Hobart fever,” Robertson says. “So I bought the Beneteau 40, Concubine. It’s a good boat that I’ve fixed up to suit me,” he says of the yacht which is the same design as Lunchtime Legend, so is familiar to him.

Bush and Robertson will join a strong line up so far representing New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand. Both are aware of the stiff competition each will face.

“Bring it on,” Robertson says.

The Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race starts at 1300 hours on 30 July off Nielsen Park, Vaucluse. It is the first race of the CYCA’s Blue Water Pointscore, which ends with the Rolex Sydney Hobart.

Spectators wishing to view the start can do so in style, as COAST will again be at the start line of the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. For details and bookings visit website.

Online entry and Notice of Race are available at the official race website.