Inaugural GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race now an official Rolex Sydney Hobart 2024 qualifier
by Adrian Bold 29 May 2024 08:42 NZST
1 August, 2024
Australia's Newest Ocean Race, the inaugural GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race to be held 1st August straight after the Noakes Sydney-Gold Coast race, has just officially announced a new Division, opening entries to Multihulls!
Organised by the Southport Yacht Club, the brand-new Gold Coast to Mackay will offer 520 nautical miles of coastal offshore racing from the iconic skyline of Australia's Gold Coast, around the outside of K'gari and weaving past many islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Southport Yacht Club Vice Commodore of Sail Glenn Burrell said the timing of the Gold Coast Mackay race will help feed boats into the northern race weeks, such as those hosted by Whitsunday Sailing Club in Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Yacht Club.
Mr Burrell said he was delighted to have the official nod from Sailing Australia to expand the race and establish a division for multihulls, effectively creating one of the longest passage races for Multihulls in Australia.
Commodore of the Multihull Yacht Club of Queensland, Adrian Relf, said "With such a growing presence of raceable, cruising multihull yachts heading north for their annual cruising season or northern regattas, the GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race presents a great challenge and logical option for multihull racer/cruisers."
"The broad interest in yacht racing and sailing in general is growing fast, no doubt assisted by iconic sporting events such as the prestigious Rolex Sydney Hobart race, and the global appeal of foiling and now the fast-paced SailGP tournaments." Said Mr Burrell.
"Our naming rights sponsor, Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard, have a long history servicing the Gold Coast yachting community and have been involved in supporting the club on smaller events. We are greatly appreciative of their increased contribution to propel this flagship event into the future."
The event has already attracted many other major sponsors and partners, including the Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Marina Village, Zhik Apparel, Walsh Accountants, Discover Mackay as well as venue and hospitality partners in Mackay, Lighthouse Seafood, The Deck Steakhouse and Sails Sportsbar. Together we're preparing the Official Race Village at Mackay Marina to be the place to be in early August, and the biggest party in town.
The GCCM GOLD COAST MACKAY YACHT RACE kicks off on the 1st August, with an epic start line off the beachfront, straight in front of Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise.
Entries are now open to all Australian and international boats via the official race website, goldcoastmackay.com. Early Bird entries close Friday May 10.