Ensign Yachts QLD Beneteau Cup- perfect forecast

by Tracey Johnstone on 29 Oct 2010 The Ensign Yachts QLD Beneteau Cup and French Yacht Challenge 33-boat fleet are expecting perfect sailing conditions on Moreton Bay for the two-day regatta.

The forecast for the weekend is for soft east, north-easterlies of five to 10 knots building gently up to 15 knots during the afternoons. With this forecast tactics and tenacity will likely be the call for both days.

Several of the boats arrived into the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron marina late this afternoon and were then seen working on lightening their loads in preparation for the forecasted weather. Two of the long distance visitors were approaching their regatta preparation with gusto.

Down from Gladstone for a month of sailing and catching up with friends, Brad and Maryke Barker were gently moving some of their cruising gear off their Beneteau Oceanis 46 and onto the dock. Returning for a second year of racing in the QLD Beneteau Cup, the Barkers will have a full crew on board made up of friends and family. 'Well at least they will be full by the time the regatta finishes', quipped Brad this afternoon.

Stopping off on their way home from Hamilton Island, the Port Hacking team on Waughship, an Oceanis 50, were clearly far more relaxed about their preparation. A cool beer in hand, owner Barry Waugh, who has just flown 32 hours back from Valencia Spain so he could compete with his mates, said their main preparation was stocking up on the liquid refreshments. 'We are putting four cartons on board of Black Diamond beer which is from China. It is very similar to Corona and pretty good to drink on a hot day,' Waugh said.

Tomorrow’s race will be a 19 mile passage race on the waters of Moreton Bay for all yachts as they contest the French Yacht Challenge trophy and the first race in the QLD Beneteau Cup.

Sunday will see the Beneteaus back out on water to contest the windward/leeward format second and third races of the Ensign Yachts QLD Beneteau Cup.

Results of the will be posted to http://www.rqys.com.au/index.php/department/marine-sports/