Outimage Australia - Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race - clean start, 13:30 AEDT, March 27, 2009.

The outimage dot net ocean yacht racing banner is an image of Roger Sturgeon's Transpac 65 Rosbud from the United States, working up Hobart's Derwent River into the late afternoon to take out an overall win of the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The photograph was taken by Peter Andrews.

Outimage Publications ocean yacht racing coverage.

A good clean start
By CYCA Event Media
13:30 AEDT, March, 27, 2009.

The second Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race started at 12 noon today in 15-18 knots of SE breeze with some threatening rain clouds overhead.

Wayne Sanders, Dealer Principal, Audi Gallery Newcastle had the honour of firing the 19th century replica cannon at 12 noon to mark the start. The fleet got off to a good, clean flying start in a strong outgoing tide.

Stephen Ainsworth's Reichel Pugh 62 Loki, seen here in Sydney Harbour during the 2008 SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, is racing in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

"I have had a wonderful morning on the harbour - it was great fun watching all the yachts prepare for the start and to then fire the cannon," said Wayne.

Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki, Rob Hanna’s Shogun and Andrew Short’s Andrew Short Marine Shockwave 5 started down the pin end of the line and got off to a flyer. Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin started near the committee boat end of the line and also got off to a strong start.

Andrew Short Marine's Reichel Pugh 80, Shockwave 5, seen here on Sydney Harbour in late December 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Andrew Short Marine's Reichel Pugh 80, Shockwave 5, seen here on Sydney Harbour in late December 2008. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

The race out of the heads was between Loki and Andrew Short Marine Shockwave 5 with Andrew Short Marine Shockwave 5 winning the battle within 15 minutes of the start time. They were closely followed by Ragamuffin and Graeme Wood’s Wot Now.

Holding strong positions behind the leading pack were Anthony Paterson’s Tow Truck, Shogun and Peter Goldsworthy’s Getaway-Sailing.com. Last out of the heads was Phil Molony’s Papillion.

Ed Psaltis and Bob Thomas who won the 1998 Hobart with a previous AFR Midnight Rambler ix racing in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race with their modified Farr 40 of the same name, seen here after the start of the 2008 Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht race.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Ed Psaltis and Bob Thomas who won the 1998 Hobart with a previous AFR Midnight Rambler is racing in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race with their modified Farr 40 of the same name, seen here after the start of the 2008 Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht race. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

The battle with Loki and Andrew Short Marine Shockwave 5 will continue into the afternoon as they make their way to the mark off Crowdy Heads. As they head up the coast both yachts are maintaining boat speed of approx. 15 knots.

Syd Fischer's TP52 Ragamuffin seen here after the start of the 2008 Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht race, will be chasing for a good result in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Syd Fischer's TP52 Ragamuffin seen here after the start of the 2008 Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht race, will be chasing a good result in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

For a list of yachts entered in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race and to follow the fleet’s progress via Yacht Tracker following the noon start, go to the official race site at: http://sydneynewcastle.cyca.com.au

The icon banner to access the Outimage homepage.

Outimage Publications Homepage

This page was checked and found to be a valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional webpage by the WC3 organisation.