Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel 2010 - Race Record under serious threat

by Suellen Hurling on 7 Aug 2010 In the 2009 Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race, Peter Harburg's Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack claimed a race record of 29 hours 24 minutes 11 seconds. This record is now under serious threat with Lahana and Wild Oats X due to finish around 1800 hours today, Saturday 7 August.

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron sailor Peter Millard and his 98' supermaxi Lahana (the former NZ sloop Konica Minolta) are still holding their own and are leading the fleet of 33 boats. They are being closely trailed by Bob Oatley's Wild Oats X skippered by Mark Richards.

Black Jack withdrew from the race just after the start yesterday due to a malfunction with the canting keel hydraulics.

'Our estimated time of arrival is 1800 hours tonight,' said Lahana navigator Willy Roberts. 'But this is yacht racing and we expect light breezes towards the finish - anything could happen.'

Ocean racing superstar Adrienne Cahalan, navigator on Wild Oats X, said they were currently sailing in 16 knots of south easterly breeze.

'Lahana is just to windward of us. We've got a clear blue sky and there is plenty of water over the deck. Our boat speed is between 15-20 knots. We have about 90nm to the finish and we hope to keep the battle alive with Lahana until then,' said Cahalan. 'Black Jack is sorely missed as it would have been good with the three of us out here together.'

When the two big boats in the fleet arrive they will be welcomed by enthusiastic locals at Keppel Bay Marina. There is a lot of activity gathering with everyone eager to see these famous boats.

Guests will be entertained by local band Nebraska Red, guest speakers and wine tasting as they cheer the first boats across the line.

Race Website: http://www.brisbanetokeppel.com
Tracker: http://www.brisbanetokeppel.com/yacht-tracker/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brisbane2keppel/
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The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is part of Queensland Tourism's Season of Sailing calendar and is proudly sponsored by O'Reilly's Real Estate, Angove Wines, Morgan's Seafood, Capricorn Tourism, Rockhampton Regional Council and of course Club Marine.

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