Newport to Coffs Coast yacht race winners

While the offshore yachting action has centred on the Sydney-Hobart, after Wild Oats XI lost line honours to Comanche following a one-hour penalty, after Matt Allen on Ichi Ban won handicap, the 2017 Pantaenius Newport to Coffs Coast yacht race has been no less dramatic.

After leading the fleet for most of the way in his Cookson 50, About Time skipper, Julian Farren-Price’s decision to go out wide nearly cost him the line honours he was desperately seeking, after three handicap victories in the Newport to Coffs race.

About Time got caught in the strong southerly current when the wind died and slipped from first back to 5th position. During the night the crew of About Time valiantly plugged away to get back in to shore and back into contention.

Farren-Price said he was very excited to reel in the boats again and be first across the line in the 37th Coffs race. He took one day, 16 hours, 39 minutes and 36 seconds to get there.

About Time was followed across the finish line by Shakti, a Rogers 46 skippered by Doug Coulter. Thirty minutes later Anger Management, a Corby 43, skippered by Phil Arnall crossed the finish line, followed closely by Swish, a Kernan 44, skippered by Steve Proud, and then Elena Nova, a Judel & Vorlijk 42, skippered by Craig Neil.

On board Elena Nova was Martin Baum from Germany, representing the race sponsor Pantaenius Yacht Insurance.

Baum said he was amazed at the beauty of the coastline and the wildlife after sighting, dolphins, penguins and even sighting a shark along the way.

“It's amazing. There is just one beautiful beach after another all the way up the coast. Many times we were so close inshore to the beaches that he could hear the sound of the cicada’s chirping in the forests”.

There were 12 yachts with one retirement for the relaunched Newport to Coffs race. Visit the 2017 Pantaenius Newport to Coffs Coast website.