Sydney Mooloolaba Yacht Race returns revitalised

by Tracey Johnstone on 10 Feb 2014 The Sydney Mooloolaba Yacht Race, after nearly a decade absent from Australia’s major sailing event calendar, is back with the first edition introducing a new race format.

The race will start on Sydney Harbour on Saturday 12th April, but for the first time the race will be open to both monohull and multihull entries

The revitalisation of the 469-mile race and the inclusion of multihulls in the event is being led by Sean Langman, owner of the 60 foot speed machine trimaran, Team Australia.

'Sydney Mooloolaba was always a great feeder race to get up to Queensland to then do the Brisbane to Gladstone race. This year being the 50th year for the Brisbane Gladstone and the big gap between the Sydney Hobart with no real long blue-water race on, I saw it as a great opportunity to not only reinvigorate the race, but also to have a race that was really about the new discipline of offshore multihull racing and to invite our fellow sailors in monohulls as well.

'It’s a bit of a flip around to what has been happening with us trying to get into monohull events.

'There was a lot we gained from going to New Zealand and racing the Coastal Classic. It was only at the presentation that I realised it was a multihull event with monohull invitees,' Langman said.

Sydney Mooloolaba is a race that many within the Australian sailing community lamented the loss of from the sailing calendar. Now with Langman’s enthusiasm and with the support of his fellow sailors, the race is back on and likely to stay within the calendar.

'From the outset I have had a commitment from Grant Wharington with Wild Thing. So we have already have a super-maxi and an ORMA 60. That’s pretty exciting.

'I am hopeful we will at least get five multihulls to make division and a similar number with the monohulls, with an open invitation to compliant vessels.

'The Sydney Mooloolaba is an iconic race, a challenging race that we have all enjoyed over the years.'

Mooloolaba Marina will host the fleet and Mooloolaba Yacht Club will coordinate the finish team. The 100-foot Wild Thing will be unable to enter the harbour after it finishes the race due to its draft at six metres, but it is planned that the 60 feet wide by 60 fleet long Team Australia will be able to navigate the river entrance and tie-up where the local community can enjoy viewing the impressive boat.