2011 Marinonics Sail Paradise - Another day ashore for IRC fleet

by Lisa Ratcliff on 10 Jan 2011 2011 Marinonics Sail Paradise - The RL24s may get their national championship underway tomorrow in closed waters in the lee of Stradbroke Island, but for the IRC keelboats contesting Marinonics Sail Paradise it will be another day ashore.

'We want a fun regatta and a safe regatta,' said Southport Yacht Club (SYC) Commodore Rob Mundle tonight as he broke the news to competitors.

Conditions have worsened this afternoon with E/NE winds 25/30 knots south of Cape Moreton and seas building to 3 metres. 41 knots was recorded at Cape Moreton a short time ago.

Tuesday’s forecast is for E/NE 20/25 knots, reaching 25/30 knots in the morning and seas reaching 2.7 metres with an easterly swell of 2.5 to 3 metres as well as rain and thunderstorms.

For organisers it’s not so much the conditions offshore that are causing concern, it’s getting boats out of the Gold Coast seaway and back through the swell at the mouth of the bar with waves breaking across the entrance creating a dangerous corridor to the open sea.

Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson will make the final call on the RLs and Trailerables at 8.30am tomorrow morning, but his intention is to race the two fleets inshore on a sheltered course area with the RLs scheduled to begin race one at 11.30am and the Trailerables five minutes later.

All sailors will still have the opportunity to get their racing fix tomorrow afternoon at 3pm when a representative from each boat can join a snakes and ladders style race at the SYC clubhouse with the winner picking up $250 cash.

There will be a Musto fashion parade at 4pm and live entertainment following.

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