Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Yacht Race

by Ian Grant on 22 Jun 2007 Great Keppel Island,geographically located in a yachting paradise off the Capricorn Coast, has become the focal point in the promotion for an exciting new Australian ocean yacht race.

The popular island tourist destination has combined with Brisbane’s historic Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron to launch the Brisbane to Great Keppel Island Yacht Race.

This challenging ocean passage race starting from Brisbane’s Waterloo Bay at 11 am on Friday August 3rd has attracted a strong influx of early entries including the former Rolex Sydney Hobart champion Quest skippered by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Commodore Kevin Miller.

The entry list is expected to increase in coming weeks with several high profile interstate owners accepting the official Notice of Race.

Race officials believe the new blue water classic placed in an ideal time frame between the Audi Sydney Gold Coast race and the Whitsunday Festival of Sails will prove popular with owners who have nominated for the major international race week regattas at Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.

Mooloolaba Yacht Club skipper Rod Jones, the current leader in the Audi IRC Championship has been named as a possible late entry.

Skipper Jones, sailing master Kai Timm and Sunshine Coast sail maker Yancey Smith became worthy leaders in national championship when they piloted Alegria to impressive results in the Skandia Race Week on Geelong’s Corio Bay followed by a similar performance in the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta.

Alegria, which is yet to prove her boat speed over the longer coastal passage courses has the low handicap rating which would give her crew a strong chance of adding another important trophy to their impressive list of wins.

Eight owners have lodged their race entry including the champion offshore racing skipper Bill Wild with his high performance sloop Wedgetail.

Wild and his principle helmsperson the world title winning yachtswoman Vanessa Dudley have accepted the challenge in what promises to grow into a major blue water classic.

Wedgetail a fast Hugh Welbourne designed 12.8m sloop which holds the fastest Sydney Hobart Yacht Race time for a yacht of her size is the present line honors favourite for the 348 n/ml event.

'Bill (Wild) is looking forward to racing Wedgetail in the inaugural Great Keppel Island Yacht Race which will be our final major event before we prepare for the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart starting on Boxing Day'.

'The course is very similar to the Brisbane to Gladstone race with an interesting tactical challenge on the final leg between Lady Elliott Island and the finish at Great Keppel Island,' Sailing master Kevin Costin said.

Wedgetail a class winner from the Sydney to Gold Coast race in March has the proven speed potential to set a fast time with an ideal spinnaker sailing south west wind forecast.

Weather forecasters are expecting moderate to fresh South West winds to blow during August which indicates the trailblazing Brisbane to Great Keppel Island yacht race fleet can expect an exciting race followed by the traditional hospitable Great Keppel Island welcome at the finish.