APC Logistics Brisbane to Gladstone Multihull Race - Preview
by Chris Dewar on 2 Apr 2015
Morticia powering over the start followed closely by Boat Works Chris Dewar
The 51st APC Logistics Brisbane to Gladstone Multihull Yacht race, starting Good Friday, is looking to be another special event with a good size fleet and promising winds.
With no BOQ Team Australia this year, it means there are a number of other yachts that could be possible line honours winners. Last year Morticia finished second to Team Australia in light winds. They also set a new record for the Adelaide to Port Lincoln Race in 2014 and so have the form to go on and make this their first Brisbane to Gladstone Line Honours win.
However, in 2013 when there was a little more breeze, Boss Racing beat Morticia by just over three hours. Boss Racing also won line honours in 2010 and would like to make this their third line honours win.
There are a number of other yachts coming from down south to leave their mark this year. The Boat Works (previously named Indian Chief) has competed in this race before under another name, APC Max, and with new owners and configuration; it will certainly be up the front with the leaders.
Top Gun (ex eDoc) also has a new owner and with new sails this Crowther catamaran is a bit of an unknown quantity. It certainly has the potential to be the first to cross the line in Gladstone. All these open tris and cats may struggle if we experience another one of these big low pressure systems, then the bigger catamarans like Chillpill and Fantasia could come into their own.
Handicap winners are a little more difficult to predict. Going on form, Chillpill has just come off an OMR and Performance handicap win in the Surf to City. Boss Racing was also up there with a third place in both handicap classes. 2014 Multihull Yacht Club Queensland (MYCQ) Club Champion Renaissance is also in with a good chance and looking for their third OMR win (previous 2007 and 2008 winners). 2013 OMR winner Cut Snake is also competing, and if they can turn their recent form around they are in with a good chance.
Other local boats to watch are Hasta La Vista and Attitude. Attitude was MYCQ Club Champion in 2012 and with new sails and consistent appearances in weekly races has honed this boats performance. Jim Fern was 2013 MYCQ Club Champion and after 12 months of tuning Hasta La Vista, Jim and Lyle are ready to show everyone what this boat can do. It is difficult to predict how the boats from up north and interstate will compare to the local fleet.
J’Ouvert has a new owner, so this rocket fast Pescott Whitehaven, well known in northern Queensland racing circuits, will be one to watch, especially with Mark Pescott on board as crew. Another newly acquired yacht, Captain Silver, is set to compete in her first Brisbane to Gladstone Race.
Earthling is also returning to the race this year. They were the first to get their entry in and the word is that they have a new set of sails and the crew are keen to do well.
This will be Catalina’s 21st Brisbane to Gladstone Race. Unfortunately last year, which was their 20th race, they had to retire due to the light winds. Dale is determined to make-up for last year and make this year’s race their best. His motivation has certainly been lifted since also being given the honour of carrying the mail for the Philatelic Society. Dale is a veteran of the race and knows how to get the best out of his yacht. This will certainly give him an advantage over those skippers competing on newly acquired yachts.
After 50 Brisbane to Gladstone Multihull races the MYCQ have decided to celebrate this occasion by having this year’s race shirt printed listing all 50 OMR winners on the back. This will certainly be a collector’s item and if you have raced on one of those winning yachts then it would be something you would be proud to own. This year is also the MYCQ’s 50th year, with it being formed in February 1965 so that the multihull yachts could continue racing to Gladstone every year (but that is another story).
Julie Geldard from VidPicPro will again be taking to the air to capture some more great shots of this year’s race, like the ones in this article. I am sure all the new owners will be looking to get some of these. For more details on Jules’ photo packages, click here.
This year the race will have some live video feeds from Chris Dewar on Renaissance and Peter Baker on Fantasia. Go to the MYCQ website and from the menu select '2015 Brisbane to Gladstone' and then select 'Live video steam from Renaissance' or 'Live video stream from Fantasia'. If we are not live streaming then older videos can be viewed.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/133052
