Outimage - 2007 Audi Sydney to Gold Coast - Mackay Yacht Race: Audi Sydney Gold Coast record under threat

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Audi Sydney Gold Coast record under threat

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0700hrs, 29 July

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By CYCA Event Media.

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Pictures By Peter Andrews

July 29, 2007.

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Part of the fleet including Matt Allen's Jones 70 "Ichi Ban" and Steven David's Reichel Pugh 66 "Wild Joe" under spinnaker after the start of the 2007 Audi Sydney to Gold Coast - Mackay Yacht Race..

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Last night's stronger than forecast breezes have the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race front runners on track to break the longstanding race record set in 1999 by Brindabella .

At 0700hrs this morning, race leader Ichi Ban , skippered by CYCA Commodore Matt Allen, was further inshore and 2-3 miles ahead of Wild Oats X , skippered by Mark Richards, with Steven David's Wild Joe in third. All three were sailing north of Coffs Harbour with Wild Joe the furthest out to sea.

Based on their current speeds of 14-15 knots, Ichi Ban is due to finish the 384 nautical mile winter race just after 2pm this afternoon and Wild Oats X and Wild Joe should finish by 3pm. The line honours winner needs to finish by 4.35pm this afternoon to beat Brindabella's record time of 27 hours 35 minutes.

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Steven David's Reichel Pugh 66 "Wild Joe" with Ray Roberts' Cookson 50 "Quantum Racing" in the background, aproaching the heads after the start of the 2007 Audi Sydney to Gold Coast - Mackay Yacht Race.

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Today's forecast for southern QLD coastal waters is for SW winds 10-15 knots reaching 15-20 knots mainly offshore during the morning. It's the local afternoon SE/NE sea breezes at 5-10 knots that could once again put the record out of reach. As has happened many times before in this race, the record will be touch and go depending on whether the lead boats sail into light breezes when they turn the corner at Cape Byron .

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Ray Roberts' Cookson 50 "Quantum Racing" with Geff Ross' Reichel Pugh 55 "Yendys" in the background aproaching the heads after the start of the 2007 Audi Sydney to Gold Coast - Mackay Yacht Race.

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Four boats have now retired from racing with Ken Down's Wasabi and Matthew Percy's Alacrity, both Queensland boats, withdrawing overnight due to steering gear failure. Ross McDonald's Pelagic Magic is the fourth retirement, no reason has been given. The three latest retirements have arrived safely at Port Stephens and Zephyr has arrived back in Sydney where the race started at 1pm yesterday afternoon.

Race website http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au

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