8:18 AM Tue 8 Dec 2009 GMT
The entry deadline for the 2010 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Offshore race has been extended until next Friday 18th December as more entries are expected following a number of enquiries as last Friday's deadline loomed. At the provisional close of entries, host club The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club reported 48 yachts have entered the race, dubbed the "warm water classic" starting on 2nd January 2010.
Coffs Committee Chairman Richard Hudson commented, "entries have literally come in a flurry over the past few days, as predicted, and on top of that we had a number of enquiries from owners late last week with their intention to enter. In consultation with the Race Committee we've decided to extend the deadline until Friday 18th December to give everyone an opportunity to get their entry and final documentation in accordance with the NOR. It will make for a bigger and better race."
Adding to this RPAYC Commodore Russell Murphy said, "We're extremely pleased with where we're at, however knowing yachties are habitually late we've left the gate open for another week or so without imposing the late fee. Coffs Harbour Marina have said they are ready, willing and able to accommodate more boats so all you've got to do is get your entry in and get there. Our motto is 'the more, the merrier' so we look forward to seeing more boats on the start line."
With just under one month to the start of the 2010 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour ocean race, it is anticipated that at least 65 yachts representing a dozen yacht clubs will assemble on the start line for the 226nm "warm water" classic starting off Barrenjoey headland.
Peter Harburg's 66ft Reichel Pugh 'Black Jack' from RQYS has officially entered the race making her the biggest in the fleet so far but the breaking news today is skipper Mark Richards has confirmed that Bob Oatley's super maxi, the 100ft 'Wild Oats XI' will enter the race and aim to emulate what she did in 2007 heading South and then North to compete and win back to back Hobart and Pittwater to Coffs races.
Whilst a challenging exercise for the delivery crew to get her back from Hobart in time for the 2nd January start, Wild Oats XI is sure to put the race record of 18hrs 29mins 14 secs, set by Wild Oats IX in 2003, under serious threat. If the 100 footer doesn't for some reason make it back in time for the start then the crew will prepare and enter her little sister, Wild Oats X, the 66ft Reichel Pugh and make the race for line honours an interesting one between her, Black Jack and Spirit of the Maid, the Volvo 60 making its way down from Hamilton Island for the series.
Regardless, there will be plenty of attention and excitement at Coffs Harbour Marina when the big boats arrive.
The four race Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Offshore Series celebrates its 29th year in 2010 and will be followed immediately by the inaugural Coffs to Paradise Race on 7th January and Sail Paradise, a five day series of short sprint races off the Gold Coast, hosted by Southport Yacht Club.
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will provide regular updates on the progress of the yachts which will be posted on the event website at
www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au
A provisional list of entries as of today, 8th December has been uploaded to the event website at
www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au
.
Race merchandise is now on sale at The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and includes Musto polo shirts, t-shirts and caps.
For race enquiries please contact the RPAYC Sailing Office on (02) 9997 1633 or email yachting (at) rpayc.com.au.
The Notice of Race for the Coffs to Paradise race and Sail Paradise can be found at
www.southportyachtclub.com.au
or from Southport Yacht Club on (07) 5591 3500.
by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
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