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Greg O'Shea and Rupert Henry (centre) celebrate their victory.

Two-handers shine in Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

Two-handed CYCA yachts Mistral, Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth and Blue Planet claimed the monohull handicap wins in the 2023 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race.

CYCA Member Rupert Henry and co-skipper Greg O’Shea steered Rupert’s Lombard 34 Mistral to the overall win (IRC) in Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s 226 nautical mile race.

Andoo Comanche , steered by Member John Winning Jr, won Monohull Line Honours in 19 hours, 46 minutes and 40 seconds after enduring a frustratingly light start and soft conditions on the journey north.

CYCA Vice Commodore Sam Haynes’ TP52 Celestial was the second monohull over the line, followed by Geoff Hill’s Santa Cruz 72 Antipodes.

Mistral was the first two-handed entrant to finish the race, arriving in Coffs Harbour after just over 1 day, 9 hours and 11 minutes.

Rupert and Greg secured overall honours on IRC, 30 minutes and 28 seconds ahead of second-placed Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth. Craig Douglas’ Beneteau First 47.7 Popeye was third overall, ahead of two other CYCA boats – the two-handed Rum Rebellion , Shane Connelly’s J/99, co-skippered by Tony Sutton; and Michael Blaxell’s Dubois 30 Highway Patrol .

“It was a good double-handed fleet and weather-wise, it suited the smaller boats,” Rupert told RPAYC . “It was a good fleet all around. We were lucky the bigger, faster boats didn’t get too far away from us.

“We watched the other double-handers closely. We also picked fully crewed boats to keep up with, like Popeye , XS Moment (Ray Hudson) and Tempo (Michael Smith) – she sailed well.

“We didn’t have a lot of rest, but we had fun. All in all it was a soft race that suited the slippery designs like the J/99 ( Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth ), which was constantly snapping at our heels.”

Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth led a two-handed sweep of the ORC standings, taking out the handicap win from Blue Planet (Chris O’Neill/Ian Smith), Rum Rebellion, Mistral and Transcendence Crento (Martin Cross/John Cross).

“It was a fabulous race, a thinking race,” Jules said. “We were keeping a close eye on Mistral and they obviously sailed a fantastic race.

“Our start was good, but around Cape Three Points we were in a lull. Mistral got a jump on us at Newcastle as they were better placed when land breeze kicked in.”

Chris O’Neill’s J/99 Blue Planet claimed PHS honours, beating John Zagame’s Hanse 430e Kite Runner by just 8 seconds on corected time.

Other monohull divisional wins went to Popeye (IRC Division 1, ORC Division 1) and Tempo (Michael Smith).

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News Of The Area

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The starting gun fires at 1pm on Friday 22 March at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC).

The East Coast Classic 226-nautical mile, warm water race is open to monohulls, two-handed and multi-hulls.

“This race creates a great spirit of camaraderie and endeavour,” CHYC Commodore John Wait told News Of The Area.

“Sailors love the challenge of whatever the weather brings and getting the best out of it and their boat.

“Together, over many years of collaborations CHYC and RPAYC have created an anticipated and exciting event for sailors and the local community.”

After crossing the finish line race competitors are escorted into the harbour by CHYC sailing volunteers who are on a 24-hour watch.

“Volunteers escort the boats to berth or help crew,” Secretary CHYC Sailing Committee Moyra Mendham told NOTA.

“They also help crew exchange for the larger boats who are continuing on to the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

“They cannot enter Coffs now, as was possible in the past, due to the siltation of the harbour,” she said.

With all hands on deck managing the needs and necessities of the incoming crews, the camaraderie is tangible.

“One of the best bits is efforts being rewarded by the appreciation of tired and hungry sailors,” Moyra said.

Awards are presented on Sunday afternoon, by which time all competitors are expected to have crossed the finish line.

Club Members, guests and visitors are invited to the CHYC to share in the atmosphere.

“A special cocktail is being created for the weekend plus a Pittwater Platter to aid in the enjoyment of the sail race atmosphere,” Club Director Tammy Mills-Thom told NOTA.

A local CHYC competitor has further fuelled excitement for the local club, with well known and accomplished sail race contender Pierre Gal entering his newly imported catamaran ‘Fez’.

A race of this size means business for Coffs Harbour.

“Crews and support crews bring an influx to accommodation and restaurants of the city both before and after the race,” said Tammy.

“The race has become part of the Coffs Harbour community calendar.

“If it ever went away, it would be sorely missed.

“It really does showcase what we are about, a welcoming harbour city with spectacular opportunities for enjoyment of ocean water sports.”

By Andrea FERRARI

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Start of a previous Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race. Pic - RPAYC media

Cream of yachting to take on Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

One of the most formidable fleets on record is to line up in the chase for line and overall honours in the 2022 Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, Peter Harburg’s super maxi Black Jack heading the crème de la crème of yachting for Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s (RPAYC) 226 nautical mile race, to start on Friday 8 April.

Black Jack, representing Yacht Club de Monaco, took line honours in the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart and will face-off against Christian Beck’s super maxi LawConnect, which crossed the line in second place. When the start gun is fired off Barrenjoey Headland at 1pm, the pair will push each other hard all the way and a new record may be set if the weather is complicit.

“This race was a great opportunity, as we were already heading north for the Brisbane Gladstone and it fits nicely into our program,” Black Jack’s skipper, Mark Bradford, said. 

As to LawConnect, Bradford said, “It will be a bit of a Sydney Hobart rematch, but on a shorter course. The big difference is this time it is a coastal race, so it will be interesting to see if one of us can get away from the other.” 

Gunning for overall honours in the 36 th  running of the annual race is David Griffith’s JV62, Whisper. Last weekend Whisper broke the Montague Island race record and Griffith is raring to go and to have a crack at the likes of reigning Sydney Hobart champion, Ichi Ban (Matt Allen), LCE Old School Racing (Mark Griffith), Sail Exchange (Carl Crafoord) and Highly Sprung (Mark Spring).

Spring is keen to take on the opposition too. “We had a successful Hobart campaign winning our division in IRC and ORCi, but one of us tested positive for Covid on arrival in Tasmania, so we didn’t get to celebrate. So, the crew are buoyed up for the Coffs Harbour race. There’s a real buzz because we haven’t been on the boat since then,” he explained. 

“We’re looking forward to hopefully getting in the face (upwind) weather, it’s what we’re good in, it’s what makes us happy,” he ended.

However, other competitors have history in the race and know the course like the backs of their hands. Wings (Ian Edwards), Pretty Woman (Richard Hudson), XS Moment BNMH (Ray Hudson) and Insomnia (Marcus Grimes) are ready to take on some of Australia’s best known Grand Prix racing yachts. 

”I’ve done a couple of Pittwater Coffs races and the Pittwater to Paradise with my former boat, High Anxiety. We won PHS one year,” Marcus Grimes said. “I like going fast, so I bought a downwind performer (Insomnia). We were out in the Alfred’s SOPs race last weekend surfing in 25 knots – it was a lot of fun – so we’re hoping for a downwind race.

“The race will mainly all come down to the wind. The TPs are good in all conditions, but a planning boat like Intiy or us could win if we get a following wind. Pretty Woman, Highly Sprung, or Sail Exchange could be there if it’s upwind,” he said. 

Add to this concoction five nifty two-handed entries: Intiy (Marc Depret), Runaway (Tim Alexander), Transcendence (Martin Cross), Local Hero (Mark Ayto) and Rum Rebellion (Shane Connelly), the latter two also competed in the 2021 Sydney Hobart. 

Roamance, Gordon Beath’s Chamberlin 14, is the lone multihull entered at this stage, but Beath is hoping for company and RPAYC is accepting late entries. 

On arrival in Coffs Harbour, crews will be welcomed at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club (CHYC) and the Club will have the barbecue and bar running on the weekend of 9 and 10 April. 

CHYC offers a tender service for larger yachts dropping off crew. Those who would like to take advantage are asked to contact the RPAYC Sailing Office in advance and use VHF Channel 77 when arriving in Coffs Harbour. Those requiring berthing at Coffs Harbour marina need to contact the marina office in advance by phoning 6651 4222.

Thursday 7 April: Fever-Tree Crew Party and Race Briefing 

Friday 8 April: Race start 1300hrs

Saturday 9 April: Race continues

Sunday 10 April: Presentation, Coffs Harbour Yacht Club 

Late entries for the Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race are being accepted, Enter today via the Event Website  www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au

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By Di Pearson/RPAYC media

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Light and challenging Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race 2023

A lovely 8-10 knot westerly marked the start of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s 37th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, when it started off Barrenjoey Headland at 1pm today, the fleet cracking spinnakers at the start in glorious sunshine.

Unusually, 50 percent of the fleet started on port at the Committee Boat, while the other half started on port at the pin end of the line – an amazing sight.

Andoo Comanche (John Winning Jr), the largest boat in the fleet at 100 feet, started from the wrong side of the line on starboard, spun around and was off. There were a few wide-eyed crews on participating yachts as the 100 footer closed in on them.

There were a few more wide-eyes as the smallest boat in the race, Highway Patrol, Michael Blaxell’s Dubois 30, scored the best start, leading her contemporaries out past Maitland Reef. Blaxell’s crew enjoyed a moment of utter glory before being swallowed up by the mainstream fleet.

A fairly soft westerly around Cape Three Points, down to 6-7 knots, so kites were just hanging in there,. In these conditions the bulk of the fleet will hug the coast.

There will be no race records set this year, according to Dale Mitchell, skipper of the ORMA 60 multihull Rex: “Not possible by the look of it,” the Queensland sailor said.

“We’re expecting a shutdown early on and another one around the Seal Rocks area that will consume around six hours in total. That’s what will push it out for us,” he said in relation to a record in the 226 nautical mile race.

“The forecasts show a bit of everything. The light west will go round to the south and the east, with touches of north tonight, then sou’ west or west tonight into the morning. This should get us into Coffs around lunchtime Saturday.”

What it adds up to, is a tactical and tricky race: “There hasn’t been a lot of agreement between the various weather models, so it will take good race management for all on board to get it right and pick the conditions at any given time. It could change the outlook of the race for us,” he said in what is a good lesson for all.”

Remaining upbeat, Mitchell said, “It’ll be a couple of nice days on the water. It’s Friday and we’re not at work, we’re going sailing. There’s not a cloud in the sky and it’s a beautiful day. That’s how we’re looking at it.”

What it means is that Rex, her three multihull rivals, along with Andoo Comanche and the rest of the fleet had to take a good dose of patience and focus before the start and then knuckle down.

Celestial, winner of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart is among the contenders to win. The TP52’s owner, Sam Haynes, had another commitment so was unable to race. He appointed crew staple, Jack Macartney, as skipper.

“The breeze is definitely all over the shop, particularly tonight, but looking more stable tomorrow. We’re sailing with 10 crew (they usually sail with 14-15) to lighten the boat up. We’ve got plenty of food on board, so we’ll be OK,” Macartney said.

Haynes added, “Most of the crew are regulars and we’ve been doing light air training, so we have some idea of polars on the boat. We have some newish sails, so hopefully they’ll do alright.“

Haynes has fond memories of the race. “It’s heading north. Why wouldn’t you do a race like this? I’m sorry I can’t be there. This race is where I started my offshore racing, where I caught the disease!”

RPAYC yachtsman, Richard Hudson sailed Pretty Woman to fourth overall last year. He is the messiah of the Pittwater to Coffs having contested 34 out of the 36 editions in all sorts of conditions.

“It’s an interesting one. It’ll probably have some localised effects – and the forecasts don’t have enough information to pick those up,” Hudson, owner of the modified Farr 45 said.

“When you get past Seal Rocks there’ll be quite a bit of current against us. A challenging race with a bit of luck involved. But if we win, it will naturally be skill and dedication,” he laughed.

Hudson has confidence in his team, nine having done the Sydney Hobart with him in December. “We have a good team. We’re going with 10 (the norm is 12) to cut weight down. We’ve raced together in all kinds of conditions. We’ll see how it unfolds…”

What may unfold is that one of the quality nine two-handed crews could win the race overall. As Martin Cross, who is sailing Transcendence Crento two-handed with son, John, hypothesized last week, “I won’t be surprised to see one of the double-handed  boats up there in the overall results if it’s a small boat race.”

If the predicted weather holds, Cross may well be right.

Follow the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race on the tracker at: https://yb.tl/pittwater2023

All information, including entries, on the official website: www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au

Di Pearson/RPAYC media

Written by Media RPAYC

Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

When the gun fires sending the fleet on its way in the 2023 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race at 1pm, on Friday 31 March, Andoo Comanche’s crew will be chasing the race record of 17 hours 10 minutes 31 seconds, set by Black Jack just last year.

To beat the record in the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s (RPAYC) 37th running of the annual race, John Winning Jr’s wide bodied yacht will need to finish before 06:31:31on the morning following the start.

Andoo Comanche took line honours in the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart and Winning Jr backed up to win the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship this month – he is on the boil.

The 100 footer is not the only one chasing a record. Dale Mitchell’s ORMA 60, Rex, which shares VPLP as a designer with Andoo Comanche, is the more likely of four multihulls entered. The multihull record of 17hrs 3mins 5secs, set by Sean Langman’s ORMA 60, Team Australia in 2014 is there for the taking.

Mitchell, from Queensland, arrived in 2021 to try for the record, but the race was cancelled following floods that left debris strewn along the course. He said at the time, “The ORMA record is a motivating factor for us – it’s all about chasing the clock.”

The two, with the rest of the fleet, will line up for the start off Barrenjoey Headland at Pittwater and with 2022’s top two overall missing from the fleet, the field is wide open and includes third placegetter, LCE Old School Racing (Mark Griffith).

“It’s hard to say who the front runners will be, because it’s too early to look at the forecast,” says Griffith, skipper of the DK46. We always have good racing with Pretty Woman. They sail a hard race and downwind have an edge,” he says of Richard Hudson’s modified Farr 45 that placed fourth last year.

“The big boats have a chance. Comanche and Whisper (David Griffith’s JV62) could be sailing in a completely different weather pattern like Black Jack (she clean swept the event) in 2022. You can’t discount the two-handers: Mistral, Disko Trooper and Transcendence Crento could be up the front if we have reaching conditions.

“Ourselves and Martin Cross are tied for points in the Alfred’s Blue Water Pointscore Series, so I’d love to put a few places between us in this race,” Griffith ended.

Nine double-handed crews will start the 226 nautical mile race coastal classic. Some did the Sydney Hobart two-handed, including the last two years winners. Rupert Henry and Greg O’Shea (Mistral) won last year, while Jules Hall and Jan Scholten (Disko Trooper-Contender Sailcloth) won in 2021 by a resounding eight hours.

“I reckon we’ve got a red-hot two-handed fleet this year. I think it’s going to be a very important opportunity for us all to line-up together,” Jules Hall asserts. “We’re going to sail very hard the whole way. I don’t know whose way it will go, but we’ll be giving it a red hot go.

“As to a winner, it depends. The boats are different, although Mistral and Transcendence are similar, so the weather will have a tremendous impact on the outcome.”

In two-handed mode, Mistral, Disko-Trooper and Transcendence Crento enjoyed the distinction of placing top three overall respectively in December’s Cabbage Tree Island Race. They beat all fully crewed boats in a high calibre fleet – a first.

Transcendence Crento is the ‘local’ boat to watch in the Pittwater to Coffs race. Father and son, Martin and John Cross sailed to double-handed victory last year and finished eighth overall. They were then seventh in the Two-Handed division of the 2022 Sydney Hobart.

“We’ve got Mistral and Disko Troooper, whose reputations proceed them. They will be hard to beat,” Martin Cross says of his rivals. “We have the best double-handed sailors in Australia doing the race. They’ve all got their strong points. It depends on the weather.

“If it’s small boat race, I won’t be surprised to see one of the double-handed boats up there in the overall results,” Cross speculates.

GC Boatyards Coffs Harbour is pleased announce the company is up and running with a 75 tonne marine travel lift in Coffs Harbour and a full service boatyard. This is great news for yachts going up and down the coast. To celebrate the opening, GC Boatyards Coffs Harbour is offering up to three vouchers to be redeemed against services at the boatyard as prizes in the race.

For more information on services and trades available see  gcboatyards.com.au .

Follow the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race on the tracker at:  yb.tl/pittwater2023 .

All information, including entries, on the official website:  www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au .

by Di Pearson/RPAYC media

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38th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race: Overview, Entrants, and Highlights

Interest is growing in the 2024 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, attracting a diverse fleet of seasoned offshore yachts and sailors from NSW. The race, spanning 226 nautical miles, is set to kick off on March 22, with entries from various boat sizes and crew configurations. Notable entries include Geoff Hill's 72-foot Antipodes and Michael Blaxell's 30-foot Highway Patrol. This year's competition promises to be challenging, with seasoned sailors aiming for top positions.

• 38th running of the 226 nautical mile Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race
• Entries from diverse boat sizes and crew configurations
• Race set to commence on March 22
• Diverse fleet representing seasoned sailors from NSW and other ports
• Notable entries include Geoff Hill's 72-foot Antipodes and Michael Blaxell's 30-foot Highway Patrol

The 2024 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race is gearing up to be a competitive and diverse event, drawing interest from seasoned sailors and featuring entries from various boat sizes and crew configurations.

The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

www.sail-world.com • Di Pearson/RPAYC media

Interest mounting in 2024 Pittwater to Coffs Race

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Light and challenging Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

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