Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race cancellation to benefit SYC's 2021 Bartercard Sail Paradise Regatta
by Virginia Riddle-Cross 20 Dec 2020 21:36 PST
4-7 January 2021
Bartercard Sail Paradise 2020 © Nic Douglass /
www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com
The unexpected cancellation yesterday of the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race due to a COVID 19 outbreak, could deliver a surprise bonus for the Bartercard Sail Paradise Regatta, which will be sailed out of the Gold Coast's Southport Yacht Club from January 4-7.
Disappointed Hobart race yacht owners and crews were contacting regatta officials at the club yesterday to see if it would be possible to enter Sail Paradise, One yacht, the new 54-footer, Maritimo, owned by Bill Barry-Cotter, has already been committed. Late today the yacht had reached Newcastle, It was expected to reach the Gold Coast within 48 hours.
"Bartercard Sail Paradise has the potential to become one of the glamour offshore regattas on the east coast," Southport Yacht Club's Vice Commodore of Sail, Drew Jones, said today. "While it is sad that the Sydney-Hobart race was cancelled, it's an opportunity for us to grow Sail Paradise.
Bartercard Sail Paradise is the Southport Yacht Club's spectacular high summer offshore sailing Regatta. It involves four days of magnificent racing on the beautiful ocean waters off the Gold Coasts beaches. Apart from providing excellent racing, the regatta format promises a good time for the sailors, their families and friends.
"The Southport Yacht Club does expect that the cancellation will result in an increase in entries for the Bartercard Sail Paradise Series as crews look for an alternative event to enter at this time of the year. We've already received a record number of entries into this year's Regatta, and with 11 days until entries officially close, it's not too late to join us! We have an extremely competitive fleet lined up with over 45 entries received thus far across IRC, PHS Performance Racing, Trailable yachts and cruising divisions."
On the first day of the Regatta, those on the Gold Coast will be treated to a spectacular sight, with competitors sailing close to the ocean shoreline at Main Beach and Surfers Paradise for the start of the first race. Beachgoers will be able to enjoy the spectacular sight of over 45 vessels as they line up for the start of racing between 10am and 11am on Monday 4th January 2021.
The Bartercard Sail Paradise Regatta is a premier event on the Gold Coast sailing calendar and will result in a major boost to Gold Coast Tourism.
Entries for the Bartercard Sail Paradise Regatta close at 5pm on the 31st December 2020.
For Registration visit sailparadise.com.au.