Newport to Coffs returns

Organisers of the reborn Newport Coffs Coast Yacht Race are looking to double their fleet size this year, with the event now tagged as being the right race, to the right place, at the right time.

At its official launch in Coffs Harbour recently, Race Director Rob Brown said there was great potential to rebuild entry numbers to beyond that of 2016, which attracted 42 boats and more than 400 sailors.

As Development Manager for race hosts Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC) Broken Bay, he called on all coastal club- and cruiser-racer sailors to consider competing.

“If you do only one ocean race this year, make it this one,” Brown said. “At 230 nautical miles, it’s a great length and you get to finish in a beachside resort town that’s in full family holiday swing.

“The race is conducted under Safety Category 3 Plus, which makes it affordable and accessible for a broader range of yachts. Competitors only need to have a VHF radio and a satellite phone for communications, not an HF radio.

“Also, all yachts are provided with Yacht Tracker beacon technology to enable an online audience to closely follow the course and positioning of the fleet.”

Since its maiden run in 1981 with a fleet of 14 yachts, the coastal dash from Pittwater to Coffs has been fondly regarded as a fun, friendly, warm-water alternative to the Sydney-Hobart.

At its peak the Coffs race lured up to 120 entrants, among them Apollo, Ragamuffin, Wild Oats XI and Hong Kong’s Beau Geste, making it bigger than the Hobart some years. However, disaster befell the event when Coffs Harbour Marina sustained damage during severe storms.

RMYC Broken Bay, in association with the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club (CHYC), forged a new partnership to reinstate the iconic event to the national calendar and reinvigorate interest in the Coffs Harbour region.

The all-encompassing divisions for 2018 include PHS, ORCi and IRC. Multihulls are also welcome to compete under OMR handicapping

It appeals to skippers and crews who like to sail over the Christmas break yet are disinclined to compete in the Sydney-Hobart or Pittwater-Southport because of safety equipment requirements, cost or time constraints.

Coffs harbour Yacht Club Commodore Garry Innes says visiting yachts will be warmly welcomed, while there has also been greater interest from Coffs Harbour yacht owners to compete.

“This iconic yacht race will go from strength to strength with our partners the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay and the support of Coffs Harbour City Council and the Coffs Coast business community,” he said.

“There’s something planned every day to create a buzz around the club precinct, starting with a race barbecue on December 29 followed by a civic reception and presentation evening on the 30th. We’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve with a fun race starting at 1pm, then fireworks lighting up the waterfront.

“We look forward to seeing as many people as possible, so I recommend booking accommodation as soon as possible.”

The race record time stands at just 18 hours and it’s a relatively easy delivery trip home once a nor-east weather pattern arrives. This year, yachts can also cruise in company northwards to Southport QLD.

Further details and a Notice of Race for the Pantaenius Newport Coffs Coast Yacht Race can be downloaded here.