Multihulls march to Mooloolaba

On April 9, a small group of multihull owners will mark a new chapter in the history of the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, previously a major offshore event on the Australian calendar.

Sean Langman’s Orma 60 trimaran BOQ Team Australia is highly likely to lead the charge out of Sydney Harbour when the skipper’s quest for the trophy treble begins.

Langman's three goals for the race are: Brindabella’s outright record of 1 day 20 hours 1 minute 43 seconds set 20 years ago, setting the first multihull line-honours record and winning on handicap (OMR). All are feasible given the boat’s achievements in southern waters, including two World Sailing Speed Council records.

BOQ Team Australia has recently been undergoing a refit to further turbo-charge the giant multihull and fit her out with new livery reflecting a commercial partnership with the Bank of Queensland.

“We have our sights set on creating the multihull record to beat and also breaking the outright record set by Brindabella, plus winning on handicap,” said Langman.  “Joining us for the resurrection [of the race] is arguably Australia's current offshore multihull champion, Morticia, and we believe Ricochet.”

Under the OMR rating system Morticia won handicap honours in the Pittwater to Coffs race in January and the Adelaide to Port Lincoln race in February.

An entry from the 47ft carbon-fibre catamaran called Ricochet is on its way according to owner Frank Hobson who says, “Ricochet was built to race. She is very fast and super-light with a rotating mast and a full wardrobe of carbon-fibre sails. We’ll probably only take two days to complete the race.”

Organising authority Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) and partner at the finish, Mooloolaba Yacht Club, see the 2014 race as the first step in getting the event back on the radar. "The fact that the entry list is not huge does not concern as it gives us the opportunity to get all the ducks in a row," said MHYC Commodore John McCuaig.

"We recognise that the event was brought to the calendar late and that the majority of owners who will be attracted to the event would have planned their calendar of events. Already there has been a lot of interest for next year from a number of multi and monohull owners keen to participate."

Entries for the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race close today, Wednesday 2 April, 2014.