Yachting Australia

Back:  News Following the success of the 2004 Southport to Mackay Blue Water Yacht Race, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Dale Robinson, has announced the race will be run again next year.  The committee has decided to maintain the schedule of the two year old 530nm event and hold it on Friday August 5, 2005, the week after the start of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Sydney to Gold Coast Race.

 

Mr. Dale Robinson, Chairman of this year’s committee and former Commodore of the Mackay Yacht Club says, “We were very pleased with this year’s event.  The fleet doubled from last year, our inaugural year, and although one entry had to retire, we had a quality line up of seven boats. 

 

“The success was due in part to the formation of a partnership between the Mackay Yacht Club and the CYCA.  The CYCA bought with them a high standard of administrative management to the race.  We hope to continue this partnership so that skippers and crew will be assured that the race will be run to the highest professional standard.

 

“We were also heartened by the feedback from all sailors in the race.  Many say the course from Southport to Mackay is one of the most challenging in the world. It offers a diversity of sailing and course options , fantastic scenery and wildlife and it is warm.

 

“First time visitors were also surprised at the facilities here.  Mackay has a beautiful new yacht club, a huge new marina, cafes and bars with a surf beach next door.  By the end of this year there will also be hotel and conference centre, all on the boardwalk around the marina.

 

At this stage it is planned to incorporate three divisions in the Southport to Mackay race, PHRF, IRC and Cruising.

 

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