New sponsor and cruising for Ingles Sydney Gold Coast Race

by Lisa Ratcliff, CYCA on 16 Jun 2004 For the first time in the 19-year history of the Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, non-racing yachts will be able to cruise north in company with the regular fleet.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Sailing Committee and Cruising Committee have worked closely together to establish the guidelines for this new initiative that will be used as a precursor for a Cruising Division for this year's 60th anniversary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

‘We were planning to cruise north anyway, but being included in the official event and having the opportunity to compete against other like minded cruisers would make the voyage much more enjoyable,’ said Bill Bailey, skipper of Relish IV which last year cruised to the Pacific Islands and back.

The new Cruising Division will enable yachts going on to the Hogs Breath Airlie Beach or Hahn Premium Hamilton Island regattas to cruise in company to Southport, the finishing point for the 384 nautical mile Ingles Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, which starts from Sydney Harbour July 31.

Yachts entering this division, although not racing will be competing for trophies awarded on a handicap system that takes into account their reaching nominated way points by pre-determined times. A log must be kept recording any engine propulsion time and also time under autopilot.

Additional eligibility requirements for the Cruising Division are detailed in the Notice of Race which is now available from the official web site http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au

This year the Ingles Group of Companies, headed up by boating enthusiast and long-term Southport Yacht Club member Graeme Ingles will take up the naming rights sponsorship of the 384 nautical mile race, the first time the race has had a major sponsor in many years.

‘I follow the Sydney Gold Coast Race each year and I am looking forward to sponsoring this popular offshore event and to welcoming crews into Southport,’ said Ingles.

Ingles Group began operations in Tasmania in 1971 and relocated to the Gold Coast in 1974. The Ingles Group has grown into a highly successful development company with in excess of $700 million in property developed or under construction.

The Ingles Group is primarily a residential developer specialising in land sub-division, housing and high-rise apartments mostly in South East Queensland with a presence in New South Wales and Victoria. For more information on the Ingles Group, go to http://www.inglesgroup.com.au

Any yacht owner interested in competing in the Cruising Division of the Ingles Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race can contact the CYCA Sailing Office on 9363 4445 or email justine.kirkjian@cyca.com.au