South Passage's special reward for Redkite
by Ian Grant on 9 Apr 2007
South Passage docked at QCYC just before the start of the 2004 Brisbane-to-Gladstone yacht race Brian Miller
There was a tumultuous cheer on the spacious deck of 29.5m schooner South Passage when she completed the 306n/ml Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race shortly after 11pm on Saturday.
Her deck displayed a scene of dancing sailors who deserved to be happy for what they had achieved during a special 36 hour bonding session primarily to raise funds for REDKITE- supporting children with cancer.
South Passage the flagship of the Sail Training Association of Queensland skippered by Bill Fenelon, navigated by Robyn Elkington with skilled sailing master John Rossiter in charge of the crew provided 23 special women with a deserved heart warming experience.
Most of these dedicated women had never sailed on the open ocean before however they showed the determination to beat the elements as South Passage shunted and bumped through rough waves and a strong wind warning to complete the race with a remarkably fast 8.56knot average.
The REDKITE crew has a personal understanding about facing adversity and support each other especially those who are facing a battle against cancer.
'We are gutsy determined women who grab life with both hands proving there are no barriers in either age or health and our mission is to have a hell of a great time.' A RED KITE spokesperson said.
Their ‘Hell of a Great Time’ was dutifully rewarded and applauded by all Gladstone Race competitors after the magnificent schooner crewed by her relatively novice crew of ocean racing sailors, won the Cruising class trophy from the Sandgate ketch Marriah skippered by 38 Gladstone Race veteran Peter Holm and the Sunshine Sailing Australia crew, racing under qualified sailing instructor Warren Boddle of Mooloolaba.
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