News

Old School and B52 win the 2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta

Friday 6 January 2012
By Damian Devine

With a win in the final race today, the 20 nautical mile South Solitary Island race, RPAYC’s Mark Griffith’s Sydney 38 Old School has won the IRC division in the 2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta, on a count back from MHYC’s Rob Reynolds DK46 Exile. In PHS, it was a nail biting finish that also ended on a count back with local Coffs boy Paul D’Olier’s Sydney 41, B52 winning from the RPAYC’s SMB syndicate Secret Men’s Business #1.

Down to the wire for IRC Coffs Regatta & PHS Australian Championships tomorrow

2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta

Thursday 5 January 2012
By Damian Devine

Mark Griffith’s Sydney 38 Old School took the boat of the day honours on day one of the two days of racing in Coffs Harbour of the Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta. With a second and a first he ended the day on three points whilst John McConaghy’s custom 47 Second Time Around took the PHS honours, also with a second and a first.

As a result, Griffith puts himself within striking distance of the IRC regatta leader, Exile whilst McConaghy moves to third behind B52 and Secret Men’s Business #1 in the PHS division heading into the final day of the regatta.

Exile and Future Shock, handicap winners in 2012 Pittwater to Coffs race

Wednesday 4 January 2012
By Damian Devine

Two DK46s representing the MHYC have dominated the IRC handicap spoils with a 1-2 finish whilst line honours winner Craig Ellis’ Elliot 57 ‘Future Shock’ crowned the PHS winner in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Race, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred and Coffs Harbour Yacht clubs.

Future Shock takes out line honours in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Race

Wednesday 4 Jan 2012 3:00am
By Damian Devine

Craig Ellis’ Elliot 57 green machine 'Future Shock' has crossed the finish line shortly before 1am to take line honours in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race in a time of 35hrs 53mins 09 secs, eleven nautical miles in front of runner-up Bruce Absolon’s Volvo 60 ‘Spirit of the Maid’.

After a long and tough race, skipper and crew were greeted by a small welcoming party as they crossed the finish line in the silence of the night and then presented with the Coffs Harbour line Honours Bell Trophy by CHYC Commodore Garry Ennis at the Coffs Harbour marina.

Future Shock nears the end, expected to cross finish line at 0045hrs

Tuesday 3 Jan 2012, 10;30pm

By Damian Devine

The 57 foot "Future Shock", skippered by Craig Ellis has made radio contact a short while ago and reported its ETA with Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour as 0045hrs and is now less than 18 nautical miles from the finish. They are currently travelling at 6 knots in 10 knots of NNE breeze and are now 9 nautical miles in front of Bruce Absolon’s Volvo 60 'Spirit of the Maid', as they enter the final leg of this now long race. If their ETA is correct, 'Future Shock's; finish time will be recorded as 35hrs 45mins.

More retirees after a bumpy night at sea

Tuesday 3 January 2012
By Damian Devine

Five retirees on the first night and a quick detour for Richard Hudson’s ‘Pretty Woman’ to drop off an injured crew member into Newcastle provided the backdrop for an eventful and bumpy first night in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race

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With Nick Johnstone’s Lidguard 50 ‘Santana 3’ providing the first retirement for the race with a broken D shroud mid afternoon on day one, he was followed by William Hutchinson’s ‘Freya’ at around 1900hrs with Coffs debutante Brendan Lyons Carter 33 ‘Fast Forward’ and RPAYC’s Jim Bullough’s Catalina 42 ‘Stressfree’ following soon after. At around 2am Kerry Burke’s Northshore 370 ‘Mortgage Choice Rumba’ advised that they too were retiring due to an injury to one of their crew.

Bumpy night ahead after spectacular start in 31st Coffs race

Monday 2 January 2012 8pm

By Damian Devine

At the first sked reported at 1800hrs this evening, the fleet has spread over a 20 nautical mile area from Belmont to Norah Head.

At the sked, the Volvo 60 Bruce Absolon’s 'Spirit of the Maid’ was in a neck and neck battle with Craig Ellis’ ‘Future Shock’ with both boats within a few hundred metres of another. Host clubs Richard Hudson’s ‘Pretty Woman’ was third closely trailed by the Kaiko 52 ‘Merlin’. The lead boats were travelling between 7-8 knots in a building 20 Nor’ Easter.

Spectacular upwind start expected for 31st Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race

Monday 2 January, 2011

By Damian Devine

A fleet of 45 yachts will start the 31st Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race at 1pm today with upwind conditions forecast for the start for the first offshore race of the New Year

Following a race briefing and welcome function last night at the RPAYC , the skippers' regathered at 0900hrs this morning for the mandatory weather briefing before they departed the marina for the Barrenjoey start line.

Upwind conditions forecast for the start of the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Race

Saturday 31 December 2011
By Damian Devine

A fleet of 45 yachts will start the 31st Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race, the first offshore race of the New Year commencing on Monday 2 January at 1pm with upwind conditions and a perfect day forecast for the start off Barrenjoey Headland.

There was plenty of activity dockside today at the host Club, The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, with skippers and crew putting final preparations to their paperwork and boats in readiness for the race they dub the “warm water classic”..

Entry date extended for Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta 2012

Wednesday 14 December 2011
By Damian Devine

Final call for entries for Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta 2012

A final call for entries has come from the organisers The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for the Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta 2012. Competitors will have until 5pm next Friday 23 December to get their entry in without incurring a late fee. This will give anyone contemplating entering the race one last opportunity to enjoy a fantastic regatta.

A fleet of just under 50 prepare for the Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta 2012

Monday 12 December 2012
by Damian Devine

A chance stopover and some friendly hospitality from the Coffs locals some 30 years ago was all that was needed to launch what is now one of Australia’s major yacht classics – the Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta. As they say, it started with a drink!

At 1pm on 2 January 2012, a fleet of 47 will line up for the start of the 31st Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race hosted The Royal Prince Alfred and Coffs Harbour Yacht clubs.