'Pretty Woman' the first to enter the 30th Pittwater to Coffs Race
by Damian Devine
‘Pretty Woman’, a Farr 45 is the first boat to enter the 30th anniversary Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race which gets underway on 2 January 2011, hosted by The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
Racing under the RPAYC burgee, ‘Pretty Woman’ is owned the syndicate of Commodore Russell Murphy, Richard Hudson and Michael Lockley and this will be her eighth attempt at the Coffs race, having competed in every race since 2003 except for 2008 when she went south for the Sydney Hobart race.
Her best finish in her seven races to date is a 2nd over the line and on handicap in the 2009 race, where she battled out it in the closest finish in the history of the race, falling short of line honours by a mere three and a half minutes. She is back and hoping to go one better in 2011.
Skipper Richard Hudson is also one of the handful of veterans of the race and in 2011 will be celebrating his 25th race to Coffs. In his 24 attempts to date, he has climbed the podium ten times with his record showing two firsts on handicap (Quartermaster – 1982 and Pemberton III – 1990), four seconds and four thirds.
Richard Hudson, helm with son Andy foreground closest to bow as they head out of Broken Bay in the 2010 Pittwater to Coffs Race
Commenting on what appeals to him about the race, Hudson said, "I have been in many Offshore races and the Coffs is one of my favourites, that’s one of the reasons I will be there for the 30th. It will also be my 25th race. What I enjoy about the race is the opportunity to sail with good mates and also to give the chance for younger RPAYC members to go in an ocean race. Over the years we have always had a number of young people on board including three of the Hudson children who have done their first ocean race in the Coffs.
Hudson has plenty of offshore racing experience and the Coffs race will also be his 94th offshore race. This year has seen Hudson as navigator aboard Ray Roberts winning ‘Evolution Racing’ team who recently were crowned Asian Yachting Champions 2010.
'Pretty Woman' off the Palm Beach Circle in the lead up race to the 2010 Pittwater to Coffs race - pic by Tom Spithill
Hudson is very committed to the Pittwater to Coffs Race and is also the chairman of the Coffs organising committee. He is encouraged by the planning and the interest shown to date for the 30th Anniversary race. “There’s been plenty of work behind the scenes in preparation for the 30th race at both ends and I am encouraged by the interest shown by competitors intention to race. I am sure we will see a strong fleet for the 30th race."
RPAYC Commodore Russell Murphy has also made the journey to Coffs many times and is also a keen offshore yachtsman and advocate for the race. Commodore Murphy offered his views on the race, "I love ocean racing and I think the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race is up there with the best of them. It occurs at a great time of year, has proven hugely popular over its 30 year history, is long enough to allow competitors to stretch their legs but is still capable of being run under Cat 2 safety. So it remains convenient and affordable for a broad cross section of competitors."
"I’ve lost count of how many Coffs races I’ve done, but the winner is usually hugely unpredictable. Each time I arrive in Coffs Harbour I can pinpoint the tactical mistakes I’ve made, so the difficulty of navigating the course, despite the fact it’s coastal, can’t ever be underestimated. Nor can the weather, albeit I’ve sailed in less pleasant seasons than Christmas."
"The other very real aspect of Pittwater to Coffs Harbour racing is that competitors’ families can join the party in a region which was made for tourists and increasingly this has been of concern to skippers recruiting crew."
"On another tangent, the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race is a fabulous proving ground for up and coming sailors. Over the years we’ve taken a large contingent of our Youth Development kids on their first ocean race and I’m now able to look back, quite literally, to see some of those kids competing on the world stage.
Like me, I know that Commodore Darren Digney at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club is preparing for a huge event and I look forward to welcoming competitors to Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in early January 2011 before they set out for the race."
'Pretty Woman' at the start of the 2010 Pittwater to Coffs race - pic by Damian Devine
As well as contesting the Pittwater to Coffs race ‘Pretty Woman’ will open its offshore campaign in the back half of 2010 with a start in the upcoming Sydney Gold Coast race.
The 226nm Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race is the major event on the Alfreds racing calendar and is one of the most popular ocean races in Australia. Some would say there’s no better way to start the New Year than turn left at Barrenjoey and compete in the race dubbed “the warm water classic”.
The Pittwater to Coffs Race also forms part of a five race Offshore series with four races in Coffs Harbour to follow. A huge social calendar for families and crew is also planned to coincide with the 30th celebrations.
The notice of race and application for entry can be downloaded here. The online entry system will be launched in the coming weeks.
For race enquiries and documentation please contact the RPAYC Sailing Office on (02) 9997 1633 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
