Entry Deadline extended for 2009 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race
Saturday December 6, 2008.
Article By Damien Devine - Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Photos by Peter Andrews
Photos by Peter Andrews
December
17, 2008.
| The entry deadline for
the 2009 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Offshore race has been extended
until Sunday December 14 as more entries are expected following a number
of enquiries as yesterday’s deadline loomed. At the provisional
close of entries yesterday, host club The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht
Club reported 55 yachts have entered the race, dubbed the ‘warm
water classic’ starting on January 2, 2009. Race Director Chris Stone commented, "Entries have literally come in a flurry over the past few days as predicted and on top of that, we had a number of enquiries from owners late yesterday with their intention to enter. In consultation with the Commodore Russell Murphy, we’ve decided to extend the deadline for another week to Sunday the 14th December to give them an opportunity to get their entry in along with all the necessary documentation as per the Notice of Race. It will make for a bigger and better race." |
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| Adding to this RPAYC Commodore Russell Murphy said, "We’re extremely pleased we’ve got 55 starters. However knowing yachties are habitually late, we’ve left the gate open for another week without imposing the late fee. Coffs Harbour Marina have said they are ready, willing and able to accommodate more boats so all you’rve got to do is get your entry in and get there. Our motto is ‘the more, the merrier’ so we look forward to seeing more boats on the start line." | ||
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| With just under one month
to the start of the 2009 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour ocean race, it
is now anticipated that at least 65 yachts representing a dozen yacht
clubs will assemble on the start line for the ‘warm water’ classic
starting off Barrenjoey headland, after the New Years hangovers have
cleared. One notable entrant and the current King of the Coffs Harbour Series is Bill Ebsary and his Beneteau 44.7 Le Billet, winner of the last two year’s IRC overall series. Bill will be back to defend the coveted series crown in his attempt to make it a ‘Makybe Diva’ trifecta. A veteran of 23 Coffs races, Bill is really looking forward to 2009. "The boat wants to perpetually turn left at Broken Bay, we look forward to this fun race and regatta every year, which we’ve always enjoyed. It’s a testing race for navigators and crew with the variable conditions that are dished up on the east coast of NSW, which is what makes this race unique to other ocean races in Australia. We enjoy the challenge of playing cat and mouse with the variable conditions and the other competitors." |
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| There will be a few dark
horses this year as well as some more notable contenders like Julian
Farren-Price’s Cookson 12 ‘About Time’, with whom
we had a great neck and neck battle a couple of years back. "With the two race series this time around, it will be even more crucial to nail the Coffs race to take out the series. We look forward to some nice nor’ easters this year instead of the horrible lows that were delivered up last year and once again look forward to returning to the warm hospitality and the camaraderie that occurs with the boats and competitors in Coffs." |
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| Once again, the RPAYC
are being ably assisted with fleet communications by the Royal Volunteer
Coastal Patrol under the guidance of Linda Jones, Divisional Commander
who have arranged special monitoring procedures and round the clock
volunteer service. Linda said, "We’re excited and ready
to go and as always and looking forward to the arrival of yachts in
Coffs Harbour." The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will provide regular updates on the progress of the yachts which will be posted on their event website at www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au. |
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