Queensland strongly represented in FKP Limited Sydney to Mooloolaba Race

by Lisa Ratcliff on 24 Mar 2003 It seems Queensland yacht racing is being revitalised with a number of new boats on the scene and at least three Queensland entries in the FKP Limited Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race.

'There are a few new boats popping up in Brisbane,' said Steve Zaphir, sailing master aboard the 69-footer Bobsled, one of the three Queensland entries received to date.

Bobsled last entered a Cruising Yacht Club of Australia event in 1998, the stormy Sydney Hobart Race in fact, after which she spent two years sitting on a Sydney marina before being returned to Queensland for a much needed overhaul.

Bobsled, probably Queensland's best-known yacht because of its long-standing race record for the Brisbane to Gladstone Race, is co-owned by Paul White, Kerry Spencer and Robert Bird and will sail north on Wednesday April 9 with two of the owners and eight crewmen aboard.

'We have spent a lot of time bringing the boat up to Category 1 safety standard and we have good depth in our crew,' Zaphir added. 'We also plan to be on the start line for this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.'

Bobsled will represent the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron while Eureka II is sailing for Mooloolaba Yacht Club, the finishing club for the annual 469 nautical mile Sydney to Mooloolaba Race.

The Sydney 60 has won numerous offshore passages on line and handicap honours over the years, including first across the line in this year's Brisbane to Noumea Race, and owner Bob Robertson's knowledge of the stretch of water from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast makes another top placing likely.

First time entrant Run to Paradise, a Sydney 38 owned by Hamilton Island CEO Wayne Kirkpatrick, is the third Queensland entry and one of three of these popular one-design boats to enter so far, with a couple more expected by
this Wednesday's deadline.

The Sailing Office has received 25 entries for the FKP Limited Sydney to Mooloolaba Race, including five first timers in this event, and is expecting
at least another 10 or more entries to make up a fleet of close to 40 boats.