Brisbane to Keppel – Six Farr 40s to Race
The start of Queensland’s premier yacht race is still more than seventy days away and the numbers are building steadily. An exciting element of this year’s race is the six Farr 40s already entered. Six boats of almost identical sail plan and matching hulls, all well crewed and all intent on beating the others. In a refreshing adherence to amateur yachting, these yacht are all helmed skilfully by their owners.
As the days to race start count down, the fevered excitement amongst the crews will build; the friendly rivalry (and sometimes not so friendly) will increase all the way to the warning signal at 1455 hours on August 6th. The banter between the Farr Crews on the shore, pontoons and across the water will echo with challenges, bets and outlandish statements. The gun will go and determined concentration will take the place of flippant words for the next thirty to forty hours.
In alphabetical order, let’s look at the boats and consider their points of interest, performance and chances. We must not forget that this is more than a battle for line honours amongst these boats; this is an IRC race and there are rating point differences between the boats. These point differences are usually down to overall weight, overhands and sail plan.
Bobby’s Girl, owned by John Leman. This boat has just arrived at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron from New Zealand. The boat, skipper and crew are the real mystery yacht of the bunch. You really will have to watch this space to find out more about her chances. However the crew must be confident as the boat has entered this race and the XXXX Gold Cup within hours of arriving in Australia.
Bribie Star, owned by Ken and Lucas Down. This is a yacht with a fine racing history and has been the boat to beat in South East Queensland for the last few years. Always well crewed, the boat has good speed and height. It is never beaten in a race and always comes back hard from adversity. However they did nearly drown their poor bowman Jimmy Chillman in the last gybe into Brisbane to Gladstone this year (James was pulled spluttering from around the rudder blade, held there by his teeth; Ken later billed him for the teeth marks in the rudder’s gel-coat). Bribie Star none the less has every chance of being first Farr 40 home. Rates about 1.182, betting at 7/1.
Cracklin Rosie, owned by Robbo Robinson. This beautifully presented boat is the opposite of her skipper, however Robbo has won many races (including the Brisbane to Gladstone) over the years and finished 2nd overall last year. Robbo is Admiral Nelson like at the wheel; he long ago sold his eye teeth, his soul and gave up his right arm and maybe some other body parts in the pursuit of victory. She boats a fine crew and has blistering running speed, if she gets in front early will be very hard to catch. Rates 1.182 betting at 8/1.
e11even, owned by Dave Elliott, a well-known try hard with a no name crew is a heavy boat that has no chance. Perhaps this is a bit harsh as elleven was the first Farr 40 in the Brisbane to Gladstone this year with 3rd in Division one, she was also first Farr 40 in the recent Surf to City and finished second overall in the 2010 Coffs to Paradise race. Rates well at 1.172 good bet at 20/1.
Lambourndini owned by Dave (Tubby) and Howard Lambourne is a classy boat with a high class crew that is very fast on all points of sail. All the Farrs have had trouble beating this boat all year, however they can be beaten and their slightly higher IRC rating means they must win well to score overall. Lambourndini lead the City to Surf this year only to get lost in the dark and finish last of the Farrs earlier in the year. She also lead in 2010 Brisbane to Gladstone race from start to finish. Lambourndini could be in trouble if the race runs long, with Tubby on board all the food could run out. Rates 1.185, my favourite at 3/1.
Night Nurse owned by Commodore Russell McCart is immediately recognisable with the girl with beautiful eyes painted on her quarter. Night Nurse is a fine boat with an experienced crew however her season has been rather ordinary so far. I am sure that they are burning to turn this around by smashing the other 40s in this race and won’t be surprised if they do. Their skipper has been known to fall/jump overboard in strong winds. Rates at 1.182 worth a punt at 10/1.
Anyway you look at this six pack it will be close. Watch the boats, wish you were part of the action and see you in Roslyn Bay! Let the best boat and crew win.
By: Mystery Yacht Sailor
The Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is the signature event of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. The race starts at 1500 hours on Friday 6th August.
Race Website: http://ww.brisbanetokeppel.com
Abby Sunderland: FOUND ALIVE
UPDATE:
Teen sailor Abby Sunderland has been found alive
UPDATE:
Abbey Sutherland’s boat upside down in Southern Ocean 2,000 nautical miles west of Australia.
The fate of an American teenage sailor whose emergency beacons were activated in treacherous seas more than 3000 kilometres off the Australian coast is ‘‘in God’s hands’’, her father said today.
Laurence Sunderland, who is Australian and is now based in California with this family, said he spoke to his 16-year-old daughter Abby five or six times by phone yesterday to help fix a problem with the boat’s engine, but shortly after the last call dropped out the family learned an emergency device had gone off.
‘‘Initially I though it was her remote device that may have gone off inadvertently … because the blow was abating,’’ Mr Sunderland told Radio 3AW today.
Let’s hope they can find her…..
Marine Rescue – we all need it
An interesting read about Marine Rescue – we all need it!
It’s often not until a boater needs some help that they realize how important the Marine Rescue volunteers are. Here’s what some who have been on the receiving end have to say about the proposed levy.
‘I think a levy is a fantastic idea. I’m all for it.’
During the January school holidays this year Kenton McLeod from Davistown checked the weather forecast and it looked OK to take his two young children fishing outside Broken Bay in his 18ft half cabin cruiser.
He’d only been anchored for about 20 minutes when the seas started to get much bigger than he expected and his daughter began to feel seasick. But when he tried to start his motor, it wouldn’t.
He called Marine Rescue Central Coast to ask for help and was astonished when the volunteers arrived in just eight minutes – they had been on a training exercise just inside Brisbane Water. ‘I think a levy is a fantastic idea,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t far out when I had that problem but I was very anxious until those guys arrived. If this levy will help them give this kind of service everywhere, I’m all for it.’
Comments »
The adventures of Captain Bligh (2010 version)
A FOUR-MAN crew has for the first time re-enacted Captain William Bligh’s 6500-kilometre journey in an open boat across the Pacific Ocean 221 years ago – using similar navigational equipment and facing the same deprivations.
The 7.6-metre wooden Talisker Bounty Boat, captained by Australian adventurer Don McIntyre, arrived off Indonesian West Timor last night after a seven-week voyage from Tonga.
The crew had no charts, no almanacs, no modern timepieces or navigation equipment, no torches – not even toilet paper.
Comments »
Back on the horse
Training a few weeks ago
After many years (many, many years), I’m finally getting back on the laser. This weekend I’ve entered a regatta – two days, five races. Holy crappola…
I’ve spent the last five years teaching people how to sail and running regattas – but I’m really nervous about actually getting back on the horse myself.
So what advice can anyone give me about getting back into sailing after a long break?
I’ve got my Powerade and Protein Bars ready to go – there might even be a banana strapped to the mast!
Please wish me luck!!!
OG
