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First Sydney Gold Coast Race Entry Received; New small boat trophy

Home 2003 First Sydney Gold Coast Race Entry Received; New small boat trophy

Early entry in this year’s annual Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race was part of the necessary preparations before Tow Truck’s owner Anthony Paterson and navigator Brett Filby head overseas to crew with Rod Skellet in the Transpacific Race.

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PUBLISHED JUNE 10

Early entry in this year’s annual Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race was part of the necessary preparations before Tow Truck’s owner Anthony Paterson and navigator Brett Filby head overseas to crew with Rod Skellet in the Transpacific Race.

The duo plan to return to Sydney from competing in the 2,225-nautical mile romp from Los Angeles to Honolulu on July 23, just three days before the start of the 386 nautical mile season opener, and to line up with Paterson’s Mumm 30 from Lake Macquarie on July 26 at 1.00pm.

Their entry today marks the first for the CYCA’s Sailing Office, with the second coming from Syd Fischer’s champion Farr 50 Ragamuffin this afternoon.

“We really enjoy competing in these long coastal races and we think we are in with a good chance for the new small boat trophy on offer,” said Paterson today.

“Last year Brett and I did the Pacific Cup Race from San Francisco to Hawaii and arrived back with only two days to spare so we know it can be done,” he added.

Tow Truck, the IRC winner of the Sydney Mooloolaba Race back in April, and other similar sized boats will this year receive more recognition for their efforts with a new trophy for the fastest elapsed time for a small boat.

The ‘Main Beach Trophy’, named after the finish point for the Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will be specially commissioned by the CYCA and will add to the prestige of competing for small boat owners.

Strong trophy contenders James & Jenny Neill’s Super 30, The Cone of Silence, and Skellet’s Young 32 Krakatoa will still be in Hawaii following the completion of the Transpac Race, leaving Tow Truck the Main Beach Trophy favourite

Following an increase in entries in the Sydney Mooloolaba Race in April, CYCA Sailing Manager Justine Kirkjian is confident Gold Coast fleet numbers will also be up.

“The Sydney Gold Coast Race has a number of features that make it very popular,” said Justine. “It attracts all the Bluewater Pointscore contenders as it’s the first race of the eight-race series, it caters for One-Design divisions, it allows for entry in dual handicaps and it is the best way to get to Hamilton Island for Race Week.

“I’m expecting a return to the days when we regularly had fleets of 70 plus for this race."