| Brisbane to Keppel - Overnight Update. |
| By Suellen Hurling , Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron . |
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Photos by Suellen Hurling, edited By Peter Andrews. |
6:30 AEST, Sunday August 2 2009. |
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The 26 competing yachts in the 3rd Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht race started in frustrating conditions on Saturday, August 1 at 11:00 AEST.
Peter Harburg’s Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack had an early tussle with rival Ray Roberts’ Evolution Sails, as they fought their way out Moreton Bay in four knots of south west breeze. Eventually it was Black Jack, skippered by Mark Bradford, that took the lead ahead of the Cookson 50 and they have maintained a good distance ahead of the fleet overnight. |
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Peter Harburg’s Reichel Pugh 66 Black
Jack, ahead of Ray Roberts’ Evolution
Sails, just after the start of the Club Marine
Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race 2009.
Photo © Suellen Hurling.
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One of the smallest boats in the fleet, David Moran’s Northshore 340 Escape, was forced back to the start after an individual recall and finally made it out of the bay at approximately 00:30 AEST this morning.
Just before the midnight sked the crew onboard Escape twittered "In Spit Fire channel. Five knots of true wind. Slow going. Tide with us now."
Overnight, the yachts received increased pressure from the south west at times reaching 15 knots, with most being under spinnaker. The majority of the fleet is now approaching Double Island Point with the Farr 40s and other 40 footers making their way along the Fraser Island Coast. |
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Russell McCart's Farr 40 Night
Nurse chasing Peter Sherwood's Farr 40 Bribie
Star, Peter Harburg’s Reichel Pugh 66 Black
Jack, and Ray Roberts’ Evolution Sails,
just after the start of
the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race
2009.
Photo © Suellen Hurling.
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The regular skeds have ensured that land based spectators are kept informed of the yachts progress during the race with their positions plotted on the tracker.
Russell McCart’s Night Nurse and Peter Sherwood’s Bribie Star are throwing tactics at each other as they lead the other Farr 40’s of Bob Robertson’s Cracklin Rosie and David Elliott’s e11even. |
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David Elliott’s Farr 40 Mod e11even after
the start of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical
Yacht Race 2009.
Photo © Suellen Hurling.
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Bribie Star twittered: "Probably will only be at Double Island Point in the morning." However, it would seem that with the increased conditions the yachts received overnight, they have all been pushed further beyond from their original predictions.
The next sked is at 10:05 AEST which will provide another updated position report on the website tracker.
The Radio Relay Vessel Kokoda is maintaining a close watch on the fleet and will stay with them until the last boat crosses the finish line outside of Keppel Bay Marina. |
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Peter Sherwood's Farr 40 Bribie
Star after the start of the Club Marine Brisbane
to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race 2009.
Photo © Suellen Hurling.
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The race which is now in its third edition is proudly sponsored by Club Marine, O’Reilley’s Real Estate, Rockhampton Regional Council, Capricorn Tourism, Angove Family Wines, Rosslyn Bay Inn, Budget Rent A Car and SLAM. Once leaving the local waters of the race organiser, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, the yachts will be welcomed by the Keppel Bay Marina.
For further information about the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race, go to the official race website at: www.brisbanetokeppel.com. |
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| Outimage and Suellen Hurling © 2009 |
