Brisbane to Gladstone Race - Schooner sails under safe hands

by Ian Grant on 25 Feb 2013 Experienced female navigator Robin Elkington will again man the Navigators nook when the 30m schooner South Passage contests the 65th Qantas link Brisbane to Gladstone race over the Easter weekend.

Robin Elkington a 24 race veteran has been an inspiration for a number of Female Ocean racing sailors who have faced the demands of setting sail on the physically tormenting open ocean elements.

A similar situation will apply when the 30 member crew comprising a group of female cancer charity fund raisers share the spacious crew quarters and stand to man the sails under the orders of their experienced navigator.

Yacht racing will become a treasured experience for several of the crew who have diligently raised funds in support of the national cancer charity Redkite to earn a berth to become a Gladstone Race sailor for the first time.

During their voyage of personal discovery the rookie crew members will have the opportunity to bond with one of Australia’s more experienced female ocean sailors while leaning the valued skills of personally trimming the sails on the triple mast schooner.

While they remain proud to wear a 2013 sailing for Redkite crew shirt the race over what has often been described as a 308 nautical mile torture track has also been known as a test of character.

However Robin Elkington who has charted a safe course for South Passage to record popular wins in the Cruising class has the important sea miles to provide the new Sailing For Redkite charity workers to gain another important reward for supporting the children and young adults who are suffering from cancer.