Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2024

News
2010
Gigantic Sydney 38 match race north

Gigantic Sydney 38 match race north

NEWS
03 Aug, 2010 01:48:00 PM

Gigantic Sydney 38 match race north

The five-boat Sydney 38 fleet contesting the 25th Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race enjoyed a “gigantic match race” up the New South Wales and south east Queensland coastline according to the co-owner of the eventual winner, JSteel.

Louis Ryckmans and his steely crew only snaffled the win from The Goat in the last 50 metres while third and fourth in division were separated by a mere 7 seconds.

“The racing between us and The Goat was superb with 23 seconds between us at the end of more than two days of side by side sailing,” said Ryckmans today.

“Each boat pushes the other; we were eye-balling each other and exhausting ourselves for the slightest gain.

“In the end, we were lucky to get by The Goat; they have taken so many from us.”

As well as the rivalry between the two Sydney 38s there were wagers amongst individual crew with Rob Bell, who sails bow on the 18 foot skiff Pure Blonde, aboard JSteel and his skipper on the 18, James Francis crewing on The Goat.

The last time JSteel won its division in the Audi Sydney Gold Coat Yacht Race was back in 2007, “it’s good to get back on top of the podium” added Ryckmans.

While Bruce Foye, co-owner of the Sydney 38 runner up, The Goat, wasn’t over the moon with second, he appreciated the contest.

“It came down to the last 50 metres when they finally got our air in the sprint to the finish. That’s the great thing about class racing, any one of us can be there” acknowledged Foye.

“We pushed each other all the way, that’s how we passed so many others in the fleet,” he added.

The top three Sydney 38s and placegetters in all other divisions will be presented with their rewards at this afternoon’s prizegiving to be held at Southport Yacht Club at 3.30pm.

The curtain will fall on this year’s Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race when the last boat still at sea, Mister Christian, chews through its final 13 miles and crosses the finish line off Southport’s Main Beach at around 4pm this afternoon.

Audi Australia together with ONE HD, Australia’s only dedicated free-to-air digital sports channel, will show highlights from the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race on Monday 23 August at 8.30pm on ONE HD, as part of the four episode wrap of the Audi IRC Australian Championship.

To view the full race results log on to http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au

By Lisa Ratcliff, CYCA Event Media

View all photos