Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2024

News
2019
Northern exposure

Northern exposure

NEWS
24 Jul, 2019 09:58:00 AM

Northern exposure

The Sail Exchange crew are putting it all on the line in their quest for victory in the 2019 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast

With 33 Rolex Sydney Hobarts and countless other blue water races under his belt, Carl Crafoord is one of the more experienced ocean racers lining up for the 2019 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race – and he and his crew are ready to leave a lasting impact. Co-owned by Tim Horkings, Cookson 12 Sail Exchange has had a makeover in the lead-up to the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore Series opening act in the pursuit of excellence… on and off the water.

“The preparation’s gone really well, we’ve been very fortunate that we’ve sailed the boat now for year and a half, and we would have owned the boat for just on two years,” Crafoord says. “The thing is you have to win your division to be able to win the race overall, and last year we won our division.”

Horkings echoed Crafoord.

“We’ve got the normal crew on board, except for two extras,” Horkings says. “We try and maintain the same crew all the way through, so everyone knows everyone else’s position and shortcomings, and pluses and minuses. It’s very important so we have good coordination between watches, and everyone’s got to get on.

“We’ve had what we call a ‘human resources guy’ Hugh Brodie and we have a lot of people come on board and some make the grade, and some don’t. And also, we want people that want to sail with us, instead of who just want to do a race.”

As an absentee owner living in America, coming back to the Australian racing makes it all worthwhile for Horkings.

“[The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast is] one of the premium blue water races in this country… in my opinion, the east Australian coastline is one of the most dramatic and beautiful coastlines in the world, and anytime you get a chance to sail or race up and down it, you take it!” he says.

“When we put the crew together and the boat program together, it was our intention to participate in this and the Hobart, and distance races like this that all the crew and Carl and I like sailing in.

“Carl’s done a great job with the asset, and a great job with the guys, it’s like I’ve died and gone to heaven doing this stuff.

“I just wish there was going to be some wind! But look, we’re all in the same boat if there isn’t, but it’s always nice to get up there and we’ll give it our best!”

Track the yachts during the race through the Race Tracker with their up to date positions through the Standings Page.