Brisbane to Keppel entries now open
by Lisa Ratcliff 8 Mar 2014 11:39 PST
31 July 2014
Peter Harburg's 70-footer Black Jack is set for the 2014 Brisbane to Keppel race © Andrea Francolini
The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is an integral stepping stone in the annual winter keelboat march northwards and once again the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is expecting to entice a strong fleet.
The 343 nautical miler from Queensland's Moreton Bay to Rossyln Bay at Great Keppel Island will start at midday on Thursday July 31st, 2014.
The Notice of Race has been published and online entry is now open.
"It's challenging Cat 2 offshore race and the perfect delivery method for those heading further north to Airlie Beach Race Week and the pinnacle regatta of the winter eastern seaboard circuit, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week," said RQYS Commodore Kevin Miller.
Sandwiched between the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Sydney Gold Coast yacht race and the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island series, the Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is an easy coastal path made challenging by currents and for the last few years, the evening breeze shutting up shop.
"The back end of the race is tactical," said Mark Bradford, regular helmsman of Peter Harburg's 70-footer Black Jack. "From Lady Elliott Island to Keppel Island there isn't the land influence, which makes positioning more calculated.
"Traditionally the races north have been in southerlies but for the last few years it's been a big boat race with very light winds. Two years ago we had six hours to cover eight nautical miles to beat Wild Oats XI on handicap and we couldn't do it.
"After dark the breeze can shut down, other races that hasn't happened. There's something for everyone.
"The Black Jack team will definitely be there," Bradford added.
Mark Richards, skipper of Bob Oatley's champion RP100 Wild Oats XI says the Brisbane to Keppel race is also on their northern timetable.
"It's fun working your way out of Moreton Bay after the start and while it's pretty much straight line sailing the current makes it very challenging.
"With a bit of luck some of the other supermaxis will be there to give us a push," Richards added.
Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson said, "My colleagues at Royal Queensland and I are looking forward to another great event and the legendary hospitality at Keppel Bay Marina at the finish".
The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is part of Tourism Queensland's Season of Sailing.
This year will be the eighth edition and the time to beat for those chasing line honours glory is 24 hours 22 minutes and 20 seconds.
To make it easy for owners paperwork submitted for the Sydney Gold Coast yacht race satisfies the entry criteria for both Cat 2 events.
The finish line will be offshore from Rosslyn Bay. Further course details will be included in the Sailing Instructions.
Entries close Friday 18th July, 2014. To enter and view the list of entries click here.
www.brisbanetokeppel.com