Outimage Australia - Audi Sydney Gold Coast 2009 - Loki and Wild Oats duelling for the lead

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.

Loki and Wild Oats duelling for the lead.

By CYCA Event Media.

Photos and edited By Peter Andrews.

22:30 AEST, July 25, 2009.

Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki is in a battle with the Mark Richards skippered Wild Oats X. Both boats have sailed within the rhumbline and are now starting to go further offshore with Loki being the furthest out. Both Loki and Wild Oats are experiencing boat speeds of 9 to 10 knots.

Stephen Ainsworth’s Reichel Pugh 63 Loki, working through the heads just after the start of the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Stephen Ainsworth’s Reichel Pugh 63 Loki, working through the heads just after the start of the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

Not far behind is Peter Millard and John Honan’s Lahana, and Peter Harburg’s Black Jack. Tony Donnellan’s Shamrock after nailing the start is currently placed 31st and is maintaining boat speed of 7 knots.

Robert Oatley’s Wild Oats X, skippered by Mark Richards after the start of the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Robert Oatley’s Wild Oats X, skippered by Mark Richards after the start of the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

The NNE winds predicted around the Hunter region this evening will benefit the tight pack of 50 footers that are behind the leaders including Yendys, Wot Now, Ragamuffin and Scarlett Runner.

Geoff Ross' Reichel Pugh 55 Yendys, just after the start of the Audi Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Geoff Ross' Reichel Pugh 55 Yendys, just after the start of the Audi Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

Based on current speeds, the first boat should cross the finish line off Southport’s Main Beach on Monday afternoon and evening, well outside record time.

In the early stages of the race, the provisional IRC Overall winner is currently Rod Jones’ Alegria.

Graeme Wood's Judel Vrolijik TP52 Wot Now, in the care of skipper Peter Seary and watch captain Stuart Bannatyne. Bannatyne has just returned from a successful Transpac race and the Volvo Ocean Race with the winner, Ericsson 4. Mike Dunstan and Chris Nicholson (watch captain on Puma Ocean Racing for the Volvo ocean Race) are also onboard Wot Now.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

The fleet can be tracked on the internet as they sail up the coast as each yacht is fitted with the CYCA’s unique yacht tracking device which sends regular updates to the race website at: http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au.

Details of all yachts participating in the event can be found under ‘The Yachts’ tab. Line honours positions and handicap results will be updated regularly until the last boat cross the finish line.

For a full list of Audi Sydney Gold Coast entries go to http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au/yachts.asp?key=26.

For more information about the host club of the Audi Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, please visit their website at: http://www.cyca.com.au/.

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