Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Race - Shock withdrawal from race
by Suellen Hurling on 6 Aug 2010
BLACKJACK has withdrawn from the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht race Andrea Francolini Photography
http://www.afrancolini.com/
Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race update.
Peter Harburg's Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack has withdrawn from the fourth Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race. Skipper of the boat Mark Bradford said the boat was having 'hydraulic issues'.
Just minutes prior the start Black Jack was fully canted making it obvious to the fleet that they were having some troubles.
Bob Oatley's Wild Oats X, sistership to Black Jack took off at the start but quickly sailed into a hole and parked.
Lahana skippered by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron member Peter Millard made an impressive appearance on the start line weaving in between the fleet of forty footers.
2009 Audi IRC Australian Champion skipper Rod Jones and his GP42 Algeria IV also sailed into no breeze and had to watch the fleet sail past.
Now that Black Jack has withdrawn it leaves the line honours battle down to Lahana and Wild Oats X.
As of 1615 hours Ken Down's Farr 40 Bribie Star was in the lead and looking famous. They are being followed by Warren Buchan's Colortile. Both made a tactical decision to tack inshore of Mud Island and take advantage of the filling land breeze.
The 34 boats in the fleet had a clear start in a light south westerly breeze and are now making their way north. The first boat is expected into Keppel Bay Marina late tomorrow (Saturday 7 August) afternoon.
More to come.
Race Website: http://www.brisbanetokeppel.com
Tracker: http://www.brisbanetokeppel.com/yacht-tracker/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brisbane2keppel/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brisbanetokeppel.com/
SMS Registration: http://www.brisbanetokeppel.com/sms
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.
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