Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race - Black Jack and Wistari to square up

by Nigel Statham on 7 Mar 2014 At the start of the QantasLink Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race the sailing equivalent of David and Goliath is set to commence thanks to the handicap system which allows boats of all sizes to compete for one of Australian yachting’s most coveted prizes.

At the front of the fleet, Peter Harburg’s Volvo 70, Gill Surf to City Yacht Race line honours champion and record smasher, Black Jack remains poised to claim a history making fastest ever time performance in the premier blue water classic starting on Good Friday April 18.

Black Jack expertly skippered by Mark Bradford and crewed by a number of Queensland’s most experienced ocean racing sailor’s needs to better 15.8knts average to lower the 10 year old record.

Race Director Herb Prendergast believes we have not yet seen the full potential of this yacht and crew. There is no mistake the speed sailing Black Jack has the potential and could possibly become the new race record holder should favourable fresh winds and angles prevail.

However, even if they do set a new race record for the fastest elapsed time, that doesn’t mean they will win the race once the handicap system is applied, a fact that Scott Patrick on Wistari is banking on.

Wistari, a veteran of forty six Brisbane to Gladstone races will be the oldest boat in the fleet and one of the slowest to complete the course. Despite this, Gladstone based Scott believes winning the race overall is still with his grasp if wind patterns play to his favour.

Scott, with seventeen editions of the race under his belt believes that compatibility and familiarity with the boat are far more important factors than star status when selecting his crew. He certainly has experience of the race covered with Tony Craner, former Commodore of Port Curtis Sailing Club competing in his sixteen race and Scott’s son Tim with seven races to his name.

'The long term aim is for Wistari to take the record for the most number of race starts in the Brisbane to Gladstone but I am always hoping for a win' Scott told us. Is this his year to finally beat the big boys?