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Loki Aims for the Trifecta Again!

Home 2009 Loki Aims for the Trifecta Again!

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After taking the trifecta of line honours and IRC overall wins and a new race record in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race, Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki is ready to do it all again in the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, commencing at 1pm on Saturday 25 July

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After taking the trifecta of line honours and IRC overall wins and a new race record in the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race, Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki is ready to do it all again in the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, commencing at 1pm on Saturday 25 July.

The long standing race record of 27 hours, 35 minutes and three seconds, was set in the 1999 race and is held by Brindabella (George Snow).  With Loki in red hot form since her debut in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008, Stephen Ainsworth is up for Loki’s next challenge – that is to conquer the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race and its race record – weather dependent.

"At the prizegiving for the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race, I made the remark that we would be competing in all the east coast offshore yacht races this season – and that we hope to win a few,” said Stephen.

"The Audi Sydney Gold Coast race is often a great tactical battle all the way to the finish line.  The big decision you are faced with is whether you stick inshore or go offshore chasing the breeze.  It can be tricky to get right.”

"We are working on the boat to ensure she is in perfect condition for the race.  It’s my belief that preparation is the key to every race.  We will have the same crew onboard that won the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle race and they are a mixture of professional and amateurs sailors, and we’ll just try to do as well as we possibly can in the conditions presented to us on the day,” added Stephen.

"As this is the third race in the Audi IRC Championship we are again hoping for a strong performance and to improve on our current 4th position.  I can’t wait to go sailing again!” concluded Stephen.  Loki was one of the first entrants in the CYCA’s Blue Water Pointscore Series, which commences with the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race and is a seven race series that also includes the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Audi’s Managing Director, Joerg Hofmann, said the company is looking for a new race record this year, to match the brand’s successful growth ‘Downunder’.

"We are keen to see new records set in this year’s Audi Sydney Gold Coast event – not only with the number of entries but we are also hoping to see a new race record set – weather permitting,” Mr Hofmann said.

"This event is an important lead-in to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, and a key regatta in the Audi IRC Australian Championship so we strongly encourage yachts to enter, and compete for the title.

"Audi continues to grow in Australia, and we hope this success is also reflected in other areas of our business – like our sailing sponsorships.  Sailing is extremely important to helping build our brand and we look forward to a long term partnership with key events like the Audi Sydney Gold Coast regatta,” Mr Hofmann said.

Provided there are enough yachts to constitute a division, the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009 will mark the first time yachts may compete under the ORCi handicap system in a major offshore race in Australia.  In accordance with the Notice of Race, yachts may be entered in both the IRC and ORCi handicap divisions for the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2009.

Sixteen yachts have entered the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht race to date and these include Bruce Taylor’s Chutzpah, Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin, Nicholas Bartels’ Terra Firma, Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats X, and Graeme Wood’s Wot Now and Wot Yot.

Entries for the 384 nautical mile Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race close at 1700hrs on 10 July 2009.  To download the Notice of Race and Entry Form click here .