QLD: Billowing start for Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2009
QLD: Billowing start for Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race

GOLD COAST, April 10 AAP - Recent Sydney to Hobart campaigner Black Jack leads the
pack in the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race with one of the frontrunners notable by its
absence.

Hundreds of people gathered at Bramble Bay, near Brisbane, to see off the 48 entrants
in the 308 nautical mile race, which kicked off at 11am (AEST) on Friday in light southeasterly
winds, with spinnakers billowing.

Top racing yacht Ausmaid was missing, after it was severely damaged in a freak wave
on April 2 while journeying to the start line.

The dual Sydney to Hobart handicap winner was the only non-starter.

Three-time Olympic sailor Rob Jenyns fired the starter's pistol.

Black Jack, skippered by America's Cup sailor Mark Bradford, is favourite to win in
the average conditions, but race director Herb Prendergast is forecasting a close and
exciting contest.

"There's some excellent boats in the fleet and if Black Jack gets a good speed, she's
capable of sustaining 20 knots in ideal conditions, that would be a real adrenaline rush,"

he told AAP.

As the boats approached the first mark the breeze died and it took an hour before a
breeze came in from the east to get the yachts sailing again, Mr Prendergast said from
the start boat, the South Pacific II.

"We're not looking at any race records this year," he said.

Queensland Cruising Yacht Club media spokesman Ian grant said that after nearly two
hours into the race Black Jack continued to stretch her margin while the smaller Quantum
Racing, Wot Now, Shogun and Wot Yot continued to stage a much closer battle for the minor
places.

"All of the top 10 leading yachts continue to log consistent speed in a building breeze
as they tack upwind," he said.

The race, run annually since 1949, runs north along the Queensland coast to finish
at the head of Auckland Creek.

Organisers are expecting light winds for the majority of the race, with stronger 15
to 22 knot breezes picking up near the finish.

The winner is expected at Gladstone about noon on Saturday.

Ausmaid's rudder and keel were torn off, there were several large holes in the hull
and the motor ripped out in the April 2 incident, which also injured the yacht's skipper.

AAP cj/ht/cdh

KEYWORD: SAIL GLADSTONE

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