The 78th Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race has wrapped up, delivering a fast and at times demanding contest, in stark contrast to last year’s light conditions.
Boats regularly pushed beyond 30 knots, particularly through Saturday afternoon and evening, with much of the fleet finishing during that window. The pace came at a cost, with a number of breakages and electronic failures forcing retirements along the way.
Wild Thing 100 claimed Line Honours, taking out the Citizens of Gladstone Trophy, the Hoana Trophy and an Adina watch for skipper Grant Wharington. The boat crossed the line at 6:25am on Saturday 4 April.
With conditions favouring speed, there was strong interest in whether Black Jack’s 2018 race record could be challenged, but it ultimately remained intact.
Wharington was already looking ahead to another attempt.
“So we will just have to come back and give it another crack and not break anything next time,” he said. “Call out to all 100 footers, come racing. Get here to do the Brisbane to Gladstone.”
KERB claims IRC honours after protest drama
The IRC result came down to a dramatic conclusion following the disqualification of Courier Mail Cup contender Back to Black.
After a protest hearing, Principal Race Officer Ross Chisholm confirmed the outcome.
“Back to Black sailed an absolutely fantastic race and really blitzed the fleet,” he said. “They were not ready for the start and crossed at the wrong end of the line on the multihull start rather than the monohull start, which meant they were disqualified.”
KERB capitalised to claim the IRC Courier Mail Cup after a standout performance in challenging conditions.
“We had a very cool race with an amazing team,” Brett Whitbread said. “We are all used to sailing against each other and know our strengths and weaknesses and it worked out pretty well for the race.
“Adrenaline helps a lot too, and that feeling that maybe it is possible. We gave it a really red-hot crack and were rewarded for a pretty cool race.”
Divisional winners
Other major divisional winners included:
- Multihull Line Honours: XL2 (Lock Crowther Memorial Trophy)
- Two-Handed Line Honours and IRC Two-Handed Division: Yachtshare Ignition
- ORCi Handicap Winner: M52 (Thomas Borthwick Cup)
- Cruising Division: Amaya II (Founders Trophy)
- PHRF Vintage and Veteran Division: Maritimo Katwinchar (Ivan Holm Memorial Trophy)
- PHRF Overall: KERB (Peter Holm Cup)
- AMS Winner: Amaya II
- OMR Multihull Handicap Winner: MIYU
From seasoned offshore campaigners to first-time entrants, the 2026 race once again highlighted the depth and resilience of the fleet across the 308-nautical-mile passage to Gladstone.
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club, host of the race, thanked the Port Curtis Sailing Club volunteers for operating the finish line throughout the event and welcoming competitors into Gladstone in all conditions.
The Club also acknowledged the support of Gladstone Ports Corporation, naming rights partner, and Gladstone Regional Council through Easter in Gladstone, including the livestream of the race start.
Images – Credit Nic Douglass @SailorGirlHQ
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club
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