Great Off-the-Beach Gold Coast to Brisbane Race

by Helen Allardice on 8 Jan 2007 Push Yourself for The Great Race!

In its third year, more than 100 off-the-beach cats and dinghies, averaging 180 competitors from all over Australia, are expected to test their stamina and willpower in this 70km endurance race from the Gold Coast to Brisbane on the 10th February 2007.

Believed to be the longest off-the-beach sailing event of its kind to be staged in Australia, The Great Race rushes its way from the hosting Southport Yacht Club on the coast, up through twisted waterways between the mainland and the islands, all the way into the open vastness of Moreton Bay to finish just off Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly. This is an intense race with the majority of the fleet taking between 5 and 7 hours to complete the course. Concentration and strength are called on for varying angles and sailing conditions that are encountered as you plot your way through the myriad of channels. Competition is fierce all the way, and with tactics changing constantly, you arrive at RQYS absolutely spent, but with a strange little smile of satisfaction on your face that only fellow competitors can relate to!

With South Easters being on every competitors Christmas wish list, and the tide already pre- planned for this year’s event, hearts and minds are set on the race records!

For the cats its 3hrs 24m 2s, this set by Neville Thompson and Shamus Stevens onboard a Hobie Tiger in the inaugural year! The fastest dinghy time recorded is 4hrs 18m 22s set by Yancy Smith in a 14ft skiff, also from the 2005 race.

The event, heavily sponsored by Ronstan and Sports Super Centre, is open to all dinghies with a yardstick rating less than or equal to 109, and all multi-hulls with yardstick less than 100. We consider this an Extreme Race! You need strength, guts, determination, a good set of abs and preferably the odd screw loose!

If you’re up for it, start getting fit now and contact helen@southportyachtclub.com.au for further info and an entry form!

Visit www.southportyachtclub.com.au