Skippers relishing competitive fleet for 2022 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast
by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 28 Jul 2022 01:50 AEST
30 July 2022
(L-R): Mark Richards, Sean Langman and Glenn Bourke © Noakes Sydney Gold Coast / Andrea Francolini
The returns of legendary 100-foot maxis Andoo Comanche and Hamilton Island Wild Oats are among the exciting storylines for the start of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race this Saturday 30 July.
Andoo Comanche (formerly Comanche), the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race record holder, is back on the Australian racing circuit after a few successful years abroad.
Hamilton Island Wild Oats (formerly Wild Oats XI), record nine-time Line Honours winner in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, has been off the race track since the start of the Covid pandemic.
Speaking at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, organiser of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast, Andoo Comanche skipper, John Winning Jr, and Hamilton Island Wild Oats skipper, Mark Richards, looked ahead to the exciting battle with the other 100-foot yacht in the fleet, Black Jack (Peter Harburg's Reichel/Pugh 100, skippered by Mark Bradford).
Sean Langman, owner/skipper of Moneypenny and Managing Director of Race Sponsor Noakes Group, is anticipating favourable conditions for his Reichel/Pugh 69.
Matt Allen, owner/skipper of Ichi Ban - the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart overall winner, expects a tactical battle up the coast.
Meanwhile, Shane Kearns, owner/skipper of White Bay 6 Azzurro, has his eye on a third overall win for his small but mighty S&S 34.
The 2022 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast starts at 1pm (AEST) on Saturday 30 July and will be streamed live from 12.45pm on Facebook and YouTube.
VNR of race highlights and photos will be provided shortly after the start.
Official website: goldcoast.cycaracing.com