Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Race 2022 start photos and Mark Bradford interview
by Bow Caddy Media 1 Aug 2022 00:36 NZST
31 July 2022
The wind gods did not look kindly on the start of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Race yesterday.
After a week of moderate to strong sou'westerlies the breeze died away on the morning of the race and as if to rub salt in the wounds, it panned out totally, barely a minute after the start gun!
The three supermaxis took well over an hour to round North Head and several of the smaller yachts took well over two hours to leave the harbour. Numerous yacht nav lights could still be seen off the southern end of the Northern Beaches after dark.
On Sunday afternoon Andoo Comanche had taken over the lead from Black Jack by heading offshore. By late evening she was closing the coast again off Yamba with 88nm to go, holding a 7nm lead over Black Jack, with Hamilton Island Wild Oats a further 13nm behind.
Mark Bradford Interview - Black Jack
Following an onboard shoot of a short offshore session on Peter Harburg's Black Jack this week, we spoke to Skipper Mark Bradford and Helmsman/Tactician Adam Beashel about the nature of final preparations required for a mid-winter race to the Gold Coast, the benefits of a crew that mixes a depth of experience with young talent and the likely challenges of the race's complex forecast.