Entry is open for the first-ever Club Marine Pittwater to Southport Yacht Race, the lead-in offshore race of the New Year and one of the major events to fall within The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s sesquicentenary year (150yrs).

The Notice of Race and entry is available from the event website www.pittwatertosouthport.com.au

Given the damage to Coffs Harbour marina caused by a powerful east coast low in June, and uncertainty about the timing of repairs, last month the organising club announced it was moving the finish of its key coastal event further north, to Southport for 2017.Pretty Woman, the first entrant racing in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs

The 370 nautical mile race will commence from the traditional Pittwater start line north of Palm Beach Headland at 1pm on January 2, 2017, and finish some two to four days later, depending on the size of the boat and sailing conditions.

Mark Griffith, owner of the RPAYC based Ker 40 Showtime that was built and launched as Midnight Rambler back in 2011, is throwing his name in for the new race and says, “I think it’s a great change and I’m really looking forward to it”.

The same Australian Sailing Category 2 requirements apply to the Pittwater to Southport Race. Importantly, the progressive Sydney Northern Beaches club doesn’t require owners to carry expensive HF radios, a major cost saving introduced for the 2015 Coffs Race. Instead the fleet is monitored round-the-clock via the Yellow Brick tracking system, plus organisers will use VHF radio communications, mobile and Satellite phone technology to stay in touch with the fleet.

In light of the damage caused to Coffs Harbour marina when a severe east coast low hit the region earlier this month, the finish of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s signature offshore event is moving to Southport on the Queensland Gold Coast for 2017. 

Coffs Harbour’s marina and marina office and other local businesses suffered infrastructure damage when giant waves crashed over the northern breakwall during the peak of the June storm. At the time ABC Coffs Coast reported the force of the waves broke finger-wharves from their moorings and destroyed part of the timber boardwalk that provide access to yachts berthed at the marina.

Given the damage and the risk it won’t be repaired in time for the fleet’s arrival in early January, the RPAYC board of directors has today confirmed the 2017 New Year race will be renamed the Club Marine Pittwater to Southport Yacht Race and finish off Southport’s Main Beach.