Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht for Brisbane journo

by Ashley Kaine on 26 Jul 2011 What better way for the media to cover an off shore yachting event, than to have a journalist spend two and a half days on board a racing yacht, in the thick of the action.

With the fifth anniversary of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht [B2K] race only weeks away, Fairfax media has assigned one of their own to learn the ropes.

Crewing on board the Sydney 41 with Southern Cross Yachting, Sean Baumgart, a sports reporter and producer at the Brisbane Times, is preparing to jump on board and see the action for himself.

‘A few years ago I did an 18-footers course, but I've forgotten most of what I learned. So it's probably going to be a steep learning curve but I'm sure it'll be a whole lot of fun,’ said Baumgart.

In a true media finish for the 2010 B2K, after 348 nautical miles it all came down to 22 seconds between Wild Oats X and Lahana. 2011 is shaping up to be even better.

Last year the race attracted high performance yachts Black Jack (Reichel Pugh 66), Wild Oats X (Reichel Pugh 66) and Lahana (98’ Maxi); these key entries ensured that the B2K secured its place in the Australian offshore yachting scene.

Despite the 2011 entry of multiple Sydney to Hobart Winner, Wild Oats XI, Baumgart is not fazed by the adventure.

‘When my boss offered the Brisbane to Keppel trip, I took about half a second to say yes,’ said Baumgart.

The 348 nautical mile race will start on Friday 5th August at noon just east of Green Island, on Brisbane's beautiful Moreton Bay.

Baumgart will participate in a weekend training camp with Southern Cross Yachting in preparation for the race, and spend approximately two and a half days off-shore for the duration of the race.

The current race record is held by Lahana (98’ Maxi) owned by Peter Millard and John Honan with a time of 27 hours, 11 minutes and 22 seconds, in 2010.

The Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is part of Tourism Queensland’s Season of Sailing.

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is pleased to acknowledge the principal sponsors of the 2011 Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race; Club Marine, who have renewed their commitment as naming rights sponsor for the fifth year, David Bray Yachts, Club Super, Morgan’s Seafood, Angove Family Winemakers, Bundaberg Rum and the Rockhampton Regional Council.

The race is hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron with the support of Keppel Bay Marina, Keppel Bay Sailing Club, Yeppoon Coast Guard and Bundaberg VMR.

B2K Race website