Stefan Hair sets sights on line honours record break for 74th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race

Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race © Queensland Cruising Yacht Club

Competitive sailing tensions are mounting for the Gladstone Ports Corporation's iconic 74th annual Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race which will set sail on Good Friday, 15th April 2022 from Moreton Bay to Gladstone with maxi ocean racing yacht, Stefan Hair now the hottest line honours contender.

Expected to be the largest yacht to enter, the 24-meter Botin designed canting keeled, Stefan Hair will be skippered by champion veteran sailor, Grant Wharington and is sponsored by Brisbane hair king, Stefan Ackerie OAM and his 38 salon outlets. The boat is jointly owned by Grant and Adrian Seiffert of Marine Auctions.

"We were disappointed to not make the start last year due to Covid lockdowns and border closures so very excited to be entered," Mr Wharington said.

"We have our fingers crossed for last year's weather which had south easterlies between 20 and 30 knots to speed us to Gladstone and hopefully take line honours and even better, smash the race record currently held by Black Jack 100 since 2018 of 16 hours, 53 minutes and 57 seconds," he said.

"The boat is due to arrive at Rivergate in Brisbane from Sydney this week for race preparation, and we are very hopeful Stefan will be joining us onboard for the race."

The long running friendly rivalry between Stefan Ackerie and Australian boat building legend, Bill Barry Cotter - who owns last year's line honours winning yacht, Maritimo 11 - will be in full force with the confirmed entry of Stefan Hair.

Representing Southport Yacht Club, Bill's 16 metre US built Schumaker 50, Maritimo 11 will be skippered by legendary Australian yachtsman, Michael Spies who is considered sailing's 'guru of speed'. Martimo 11 took line honours in 2021 in a little over 25 hours.

Considered Queensland's most iconic annual Easter sporting event and hosted by Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC), the Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race sees sailors compete for the coveted overall prize, The Courier-Mail Cup.

Last year's race winner and five-time winner of The Courier-Mail Cup, Wistari current race reign is in jeopardy for this year after owner and skipper, Scott Patrick recently took a fall and has sustained a broken back injury.

Entries remain open on the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race with 25 yachts now entered.

The 2021 race overcame near Covid-cancellation with an initial fleet of 48 entrants. The starting fleet, although depleted, battled a barrage of winds and rough seas to complete the 73rd Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

The race start will once again be live-streamed including pre-race commentary which is proudly supported by Gladstone Regional Council's Easter in Gladstone. There will also be an interactive Race Tracker which is keenly followed around the globe.

The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is steeped in history and was first ever sailed in Easter 1949 where seven vessels took the start line, two of which carried radios while Brisbane's Homing Pigeon Club supplied pigeons for the other competing vessels.

Further information about the Gladstone Ports Corporation's Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is available by visiting www.brisbanetogladstone.com or telephoning Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) on (07) 3269 4588.