Manly to Paradise Yacht Race - Hard slog to Paradise

by Suellen Hurling on 8 Jan 2011 The inaugural Manly to Paradise Yacht Race started at 0900 hours this morning in the waters east of Green Island in Moreton Bay.

Hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Manly to Paradise is a feeder event for the Southport Yacht Club Sail Paradise Series.

Although 12 yachts entered the race, only five made it to the start line with most being cautious of the 30 knot south easterly forecast.

At the competitors meeting on Friday night Ken 'Brownie' Brown (Brownie's Coast Watch) said jokingly to the sailors 'glad it's you not me!'.

The five yachts, Black Jack (Peter Harburg), Gauntlet (Craig Ellis & Clayton Debenham), Mondo (Ray Sweeney), Leeway (Tony Horkings) and Bad Habits (Barry Thompson) all started under spinnaker and headed north bound for Cape Moreton. The fleet will head to the NE2 beacon, reach across to Finders Reef then head south bound for 'Paradise'.

Surfers Paradise is known for its long golden beaches, Meter Maids and high-rise dominated skyline all of which are likely to be overshadowed by wind, rain and storms this week with a forecast of 20/30 knots from Monday.

The fleet will conduct their first sked at 1315 hours via SMS text message to Race Control.

More to come.

Website click here

The Manly to Paradise yacht race is proudly sponsored by David Bray Yachts and Angove Wines.