Sydney Mooloolaba and Sydney Mackay Yacht Races
The first four yachts to cross the finish line of the 468 nautical mile Sydney Mooloolaba Yacht Race were all from VictoriaArticle by Lisa Ratcliff and Kathy McKenzie
Line honours went to 30 metre maxi Skandia, skippered by Melbourne developer Grant Wharington.
Chris Dare's Corby 49 Flirt finished second, closely followed by Graeme Troon's XLR8. Fourth over the line was Michael Hiatt's Cookson 50 Living Doll.
However, Ray Roberts' Sydney-based DK46 Quantum Racing was named IRC overall handicap winner.
All but one of the 37 yachts which set sail from Sydney Harbour reached the finish line of the 468 nautical mile race to Mooloolaba.
From Mooloolaba, eight yachts began phase two, the leg to Mackay. Skandia was the first yacht to finish the inaugural 903 nautical mile Sydney Mackay Yacht Race, setting a course record of four days, seven minutes and 40 seconds.
Michael Hiatt's Victorian Cookson 50 Living Doll was announced the IRC overall winner and Darren Cooney's Inner Circle the best of the PHS boats.
The smallest boat in the fleet, Anthony Paterson's Mumm 30 Tow Truck was hurtling towards a first or at least a second IRC podium place in a 25 knot sou'easter when their fast ride to the finish came to an abrupt end.
"We sailed for five hours at less than one and a half knots then sat off Prudhoe Island, the final rounding mark, becalmed for three hours. At that stage we really wanted to be off the boat," said navigator Brett Filby.
This "park up", one of many they and the rest of the fleet experienced from the time they set off from Sydney Harbour, cost them heavily. It allowed Ed Psaltis' AFR Midnight Rambler from Sydney to slip into second place and Grant Wharington's line honours winner Skandia from Melbourne to claim third on IRC handicap.
Darren Cooney's Inner Circle, also from Lake Macquarie on the NSW central coast, was the final boat to finish.
Cooney commented, "It was a fantastic race and we can't wait to do it again next year."
Tow Truck and the IOR Farr 40 Inner Circle sail for Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. They both took on the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart last December and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's newest and longest ocean race also appealed to their sense of adventure.
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for detailsPhoto: Grant Wharington's Skandia following its line honours win in the inaugural Sydney Mackay Yacht Race. By Bob Norson
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