Where to watch iconic yacht race

Moreton Bay has many of the best vantage points for spectators to see the start of the 78th Brisbane to Gladstone (B2G) Yacht Race on Good Friday.

The fleet will gather off Shorncliffe Pier for the 11am start before sailing up the Redcliffe foreshore to Scarborough and then heading towards Tangalooma.

Prime viewing locations

Prime viewing locations for the race, run by Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC based at Sandgate, include:

• Shorncliffe Pier and headland

• Sandgate foreshores and Decker Park, Brighton

• Ted Smout Bridge Fishing Platform

• Woody Point Jetty

• Scotts Point and Margate Beach

• Suttons Beach and off Scarborough Beach

The 308 nautical mile offshore passage from Brisbane to Gladstone is one of the most respected challenges in Australian sailing.

This year’s fleet includes Rolex Sydney to Hobart veterans Wild Thing 100, Maritimo Katwincher, a restored 120 year old vessel, and V5 from New Zealand.

Alongside will be Wilhelm, skippered and owned by Peter Dowd is from the Newport Cruising Yacht Club which sails out of Scarborough and Redcliffe.

QCYC entries include Amaya II skippered by Matthew Kingslewy, Skimmer skippered by David Hamilton and Spetsig skippered by Peter Kerr.

The Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race 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.

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

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

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

Spectators can follow the race live on the official B2G YouTube channel and follow the fleet via Yacht Tracker.