Pittwater to Coffs update

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC), at Newport on Sydney’s northern beaches, has announced a new format for the 2015 Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Yacht Race.

The new trimmed-down race program includes the 226nm Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Yacht Race that starts on January 2, and is followed by a single non-pointscore pursuit race around the Solitary Islands off the Coffs Coast on January 5 to replace the previous four-part regatta.

As with last year’s event, there’s no HF radio requirement for eligible multihulls and monohulls and, for the first time in the ocean race’s history, radio position reports have been done away with altogether. Instead, race organisers will rely on the YellowBrick satellite tracking system to keep track of each yacht, satellite phones for emergency communication, and selected social media channels to stay in touch with crews.

Billed as the opening event of the Australian offshore yachting calendar, the Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Yacht Race offers competitors a strategic challenge as they pass scenic coastlines prior to arriving at Coffs Harbour.

Club Marine has been confirmed as the naming rights sponsor for the third year running. Club Marine National Relationships and NSW State Manager, Corey Yeung, said: "Club Marine is proud to be associated with this long-standing event and the competing yachtsmen and women. We once again look forward to meeting competitors, seeing them out on the water at the start off Palm Beach and welcoming them at Coffs Harbour in early January."

For more, go to: www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au.