Lining up for blue water classic in the B2G Yacht Race

Entries are flowing in for the 78th Brisbane to Gladstone (B2G) Yacht Race which starts close to the Redcliffe foreshore at 11am on Good Friday.

Hosted by the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) at Shorncliffe, the 308 nautical mile blue water classic attracts top sailors and competitors from across the country.

Yachts already entered this year are Balancing Act, Restless, Wild Thing 100, Spetsig and Troubadour, with more expected before the starter’s gun fires on April 3. 

Spectators will see the B2G fleet make its way north with best viewing positions initially being from the Ted Smout Bridge fishing platform and Woody Point Jetty.

Then Scotts Point, Margate Beach, Suttons Beach and off Scarborough beach, where the fleet turns and takes the north-west channel to Caloundra and Gladstone.

QCYC Commodore David Hamilton said the steady growth in B2G fleet entries reflected the race’s place on the offshore calendar.

“The Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race has been a cornerstone of offshore sailing in Queensland for more than 77 years,” Commodore Hamilton said.

“It continues to attract a broad range of boats and crews, from highly competitive offshore campaigners to club level teams taking on this iconic passage.”

QCYC entries include Amaya II, skippered by Matthew Kingsley; Skimmer, skippered by David Hamilton; Spetsig, skippered by Peter Kerr and Test 165 skipper by Scott Murphy.

Peter Kerr, skipper of Spetsig, said he is looking forward to this year’s event after a strong performance in the Surf to City Yacht Race.

“After securing the IRC win in the Surf to City Yacht Race in the two-handed division with Rod Young, we are keen to carry that momentum into the Brisbane to Gladstone,” he said.

“It is a significant step up in distance and demands respect, but that is exactly what makes it appealing.

“The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is one you prepare for properly and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Commodore Hamilton said the club was particularly keen to see continued growth in the Performance Handicap System division.

“We are encouraging more boats to take part under PHS and cruising divisions,” he said.

“Performance Handicap racing allows a wide range of yachts, regardless of size or design, to compete fairly on corrected time.

“It makes the Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race accessible to more sailors while maintaining strong competition across the fleet.”

The B2G is sailed for the Courier Mail Cup, the second oldest continuously awarded trophy in Australian offshore sailing and the major overall prize of the race.

Other major trophies include Line Honours, the Performance Handicap System Division and the Four Cities Cup, reflecting the depth of competition across the fleet.

The Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race forms part of the new South-East Queensland Blue Water Series, linking key offshore races across the region.