The 40th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race is set to start at 1pm on 27 March, organised by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC).
Among the early entrants is Darren Drew from NSW, who will once again bring his multihull, Wind Cheetah. Describing the vessel as a versatile “chameleon”, Drew emphasises its performance with big deep daggerboards and carbon sails for optimal upwind capabilities in winds exceeding 12 knots.
Despite its racing attributes, Drew confirms that Wind Cheetah is also designed for cruising with family comforts. He shares that the vessel accommodates a comfortable living space with a watermaker and multiple coffee options, while ensuring amenities like personal sleeping quarters and a hot shower for crew members.
Drew’s crew includes accomplished sailors, with Alice Parker, a noted navigator, and Juliet Costanzo, who has extensive experience in small boat sailing. Parker’s recent successes include navigating to major victories in the Sydney Hobart, while Costanzo brings a wealth of experience having helmed, manipulated tactics, and trimmed sails in competitive racing.
On the multihull front, Drew invites more participants, hoping to see fellow competitors like Stephen Barton with J’Ouvert join in the fun. Stuart Malouf has already entered his Stealth 12.2, Coconuts, furthering the competitive edge.
In the monohull category, Adrian Keily from Newcastle has entered Mako, preparing to contest the RPAYC’s new interclub challenge before focusing on the coastal classic. Keily reminisces about his early experiences participating in the race with his father, recognising it as an excellent opportunity for both seasoned sailors and newcomers to offshore racing.
Geoff Hill’s Antipodes and Mark Ayto’s S&S 34 Western Morning, both returning after performing well in the recent Sydney Hobart, add more intrigue to the race. Antipodes has achieved remarkable milestones, including a record-setting Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race.
The Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race is open to monohulls and multihulls across various categories including IRC, ORC, OMR, and Short Handed. Entries are due by 1700 hours on 14 March 2025, with late registrations also accepted.
For more information and to register, visit www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au.
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