Black Jack beats Wild Oats XI in sunrise showdown at Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
by Nic Douglass 30 Jul 2018 19:42 AEST
33rd Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race © Nic Douglass /
www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com
The battle for line honours in the 33rd Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race concluded today in a sunrise showdown between the four maxis, with Black Jack Yachting taking their first line honours win from Wild Oats XI, Comanche and Infotrack.
When we arrived south of Point Danger at 0400 by rib to greet the maxis, Comanche was just in front of the pack of four, still leading counter to all expectations of the "fat-bottomed girls" potential problems with performance in light air.
Unfortunately their exceptionally strategic mid-line start and adaptability to the conditions wasn't to be, and in a near replica of the Rolex Sydney Hobart finish in 2017 (minus a protest outcome), Oats took the lead as the breeze eased to all but glass at Burleigh Heads.
Counter to the Hobart, Black Jack was also still in touch with the leaders, and came into her own as a fickle northerly filled from the shore. Peter Harburg's maxi came from behind and to leeward of the two powerhouses to take the win on her "home" QLD waters.
What a showdown after a near loss to WOXI just 12 months ago!
Unbelievable that after the 384 nautical miles from Sydney Harbour to the Gold Coast that all four maxis were within 10 nautical miles of one another, with Black Jack and Wild Oats XI finished around 90 seconds apart.
We have been in the mix of the action at the finish, thanks to the Southport Yacht Club and also pre-start and at the start thanks to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Check out the videos and pics below to get your Monday sailing fix!
Now it's time to see who will win on IRC as the fleet of 54 boats, now with four retirees, play out the rest of their Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race.
Maxi finish highlights reel
One minute of highlights from the dawn arrivals of the maxis including drone footage from Michael Jennings, and on water action put together by my assistant for this event, Brayden Pavey!
Live coverage of the #NoakesSGCYR line honours finish
Interview with Daryl Wislang of Comanche
Finish line update after the first night of the #NoakesSGCYR
Official live start coverage of the #NoakesSGCYR
Interviews from before the start - Paul Billingham - Commodore CYCA
Matt Allen - President of Australian Sailing and owner of Ichi Ban
Mark Bradford (skipper of Black Jack), Steve "Mothy" Jarvin (WOXI) and Bradshaw Kellet (Infotrack Navigator)
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