Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race – Race record on offer

by Tony Evans on 2 Apr 2014 With the prospect of the 12 year old race record falling in the Mount Gay 40th Gosford to Lord How Island Yacht Race this weekend, excitement is building around the Gosford Sailing Club and within the yacht racing community.

In 2002, Merit, a Volvo Open 60 skippered by Ian Treleavan blasted its way across the Southern Tasman Sea to record a time of 33 hours, 34 minutes and 21 seconds for the 406 nm distance.

That effort broke a 14 year old record held by Helsal III and conditions throughout the 2002 race were ideal with prevailing south easterly winds up to 25 knots assisting Merit to maintain and average speed a little above 12 knots.

GSC pundits have been studying the forecast charts and suggest that this year, the Volvo Open 70 Southern Excellence II could easily break the long standing record.

SExII is the fastest boat ever to contest a Gosford to Lord Howe Island race and the VO70 is longer and lighter than Merit. Fact is VO70’s punch well above their weight and have the ability to sustain high speeds over long distances.

In 2008 another VO70, Ericsson 4 officially travelled 596.6 nautical miles in 24 hours, establishing a 24 hour mono hull record.

Southern Excellence II was built by Hart Marine in Melbourne for the Brunel syndicate and raced in the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean race around the world.

In December 2006, it made its Sydney to Hobart debut as Ichi Ban and was beaten into second place by super maxi Wild Oats XI, with another super maxi Wild Thing third. Ichi Ban continued to race successfully for several seasons for owner Matt Allen including two more line honours placings in the Sydney to Hobart, before being purchased early last year by CYCA Director Andrew Wenham.

Since the change of ownership, Southern Excellence II had a frustrating run of light air races during 2013 for Wenham, including last year’s Lord Howe. Then in December, Sex II finally had the hit out that Wenham and his crew had been itching for in a tough Sydney to Hobart race.

Wenham and his highly experienced crew including former Loki Navigator Michael Bellingham have been hoping for a record chance in the Lord Howe since purchasing the VO70 and feel that this year presents an excellent opportunity.
'Our weather guy suggests that we can expect to maintain an average speed around 15 knots for the race this year, which could see us beat the old record by several hours' Wenham told GSC officials.

At the Gosford Sailing Club, no one is more excited about the prospect of a race record this year than former Race Director Tony Evans. 'I was on the Island when Merit set the record in 2002 and I’ll be officiating at the finish again this year. I’ve sailed on Sex II with Andrew and I know the boat well. I’d love to see the guys set a new race record this year'.

If the weather pans out as is currently predicted, SEx II may not be the only boat to beat the old record.
The overall race favourite Victoire is also capable of bettering the old mark, but what chance they’ll finish in front of Southern Excellence II?

'Plenty', suggests Victoire skipper Darryl Hodgkinson who has politely noted that his canting keel Cookson 50 finished in front of SEx II in the 2013 Sydney to Hobart and that the scores were even in line honours wins in the recently completed CYCA Bluewater Pointscore series.

Sadly, Andrew Wenham has advised GSC officials that due to a medical condition, he will be unable to take his place on SEx II for the race and will be replaced at the helm by his highly experienced Boat Manager David Burt.

The race gets underway this Saturday at 1 pm in Broken Bay and spectators can join the Starship Cruises ferry The Lady Kendall, which will depart the Gosford Sailing Club marina at 11am with tickets and boarding from 10am.

Other vantage points to view the start are Box Head, Killcare lookout, Captain Cook lookout at Copacabana and of course Terrigal, where the yachts will round a turning mark off The Haven before setting a course for the island.