Sea Safety will be a paramount issue for race yachts - Brisbane to Gladstone race

by Ian Grant on 12 Apr 2001 Abnormally big seas created from the disturbance of tropical cyclone Sose and possible gale force winds could force a delay to the 53rd Centenary of Federation Queensland Brisbane Gladstone yacht race due to start off Sandgate at 11 am tomorrow.

Weather Bureau forecasters and Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Race Director Karen Somerville are closely monitoring the developing strong wind systems.

There is a possibility a postponement signal could be displayed if a gale warning is issued for coastal waters between Cape Capricorn and Moreton Bay.

The present weather system minus the huge seas is similar to Easter 1993 when the pocket maxi Bobsled claimed a place in Australian yacht racing history with her remarkable 21hour 59minute 43second record.

Peak offshore winds that year were recorded at 37 knots however the sea state was comparatively moderate to the size of the pounding waves which continue to erode Gold and Sunshine Coast beaches.

'There will be no hesitation to delay the start if the offshore conditions become dangerous, our club has a proud history of safety'. Mrs Somerville said.

The decision to start on time at 11am on Good Friday (April 13) will be determined by advice from the weather bureau.

A precedent was set in 1964 when the start was delayed for 24 hours to allow the threat from a low depression system to pass.

Despite the delay the post depression winds which blew over the deck at a rig stressing 30 knots contributed to a fast and exciting race where a then much younger Rupert Murdock now of News Limited fame helmed his ketch Ilina to a new 33 hour 23 minute 54 second record.

Murdock's crew, which was made up from some of the more notable characters around the Sydney waterfront including Woolloomooloo Garbageman 'Earrings' Love, sail maker 'Raw meat' Pearce and 'Thunderhead' Kerslake won a thrilling line honours duel by the narrow 4 minute 46 second margin from rival ketch Enid (John Cockle) to claim his special place in Gladstone race history.