81 entries for 24th Sydney to Gold Coast Race

8:16 AM Fri 10 Jul 2009 GMT

With entries having closed at 1700hrs this afternoon, a bumper fleet of 81 has entered the 24th Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race.

Commenting on the high level of entries, Vice Commodore and Chairman of the Sailing Committee Garry Linacre said 'To have this many boats heading north is a fantastic result. This is five more entries than last year, and the fourth largest fleet in the history of the race- despite the global economic conditions. It just goes to show what a resilient sport we have.'

'Additionally we have seen a number of new boats enter - whether they are brand new builds, first time racers with the CYCA or new yacht owners who have purchased yachts for the first time,' concluded Garry.

So who are the yachts to watch?

Those vying for the glory of line honours win include Robert Oatley's Reichel Pugh 66 Wild Oats X (2007 line honours winner), Peter Millard and John Honan's 98ft maxi Lahana, Stephen Ainsworth's Reichel Pugh 63 Loki , Andrew Short's Reichel Pugh 80 Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Peter Harburg's Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack.

The race for the IRC overall win is wide open with any number of the highly competitive TP52s including Syd Fischer's Ragamuffin, Graeme Wood's Wot Now, Matthew Short's Shortwave and Robert Date's Scarlet Runner able to claim glory or could Stephen Ainsworth's Loki add another accolade to the ever-growing list of achievements for this fast Reichel Pugh 63?.

Last year's winner Ray Roberts' Quantum Racing won't be defending his dual title of line honours and IRC Overall winner, as he will be sailing overseas in Phuket, Thailand.

All eyes will be on Sydney Harbour at 1pm, Saturday 25 July, when the fleet will commence racing from a start line off Nielsen Park, then proceed out to the heads, turn left and head north to the Gold Coast, finishing just off Main Beach, Southport.