Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2024

News
2010
Elusive Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record set to remain

Elusive Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record set to remain

NEWS
01 Aug, 2010 03:08:00 PM

Elusive Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record set to remain

The elusive Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race record will remain in place for another year with the current race leader, Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI, still with 37 nautical miles to chew through. They are due to finish after 6pm this evening, more than an hour and a half outside the record time of 27 hours 35 minutes 43 seconds set 11 years ago.

Many have tried since 1999 to topple Brindabella’s record for the 384 nautical mile season opener and first event of the northern series, but none have succeeded, despite the fact the boats are bigger and faster.

Perhaps if the Mark Richards skippered Wild Oats XI hadn’t had to detour to Newcastle to drop off their injured bowman Tim Wiseman the outcome might have been different for the crew of the four-time Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours winner. But as it is, the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record has proven to be as slippery as ever since that hard running race when George Snow and his crew set the benchmark.

Wild Oats XI currently has an eight mile advantage over Peter Harburg’s RP66 Black Jack and Bob Oatley’s RP66 Wild Oats X, the two still sisterships almost inseparable after more than 26 hours having waved the bigger boat through.

For the race finish this evening Wild Oats XI can expect a 7 knot WNW breeze.

Fleet positions are available via Yacht Tracker at http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au