Some notable two-handers are set to return for the 40th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, with the 2023 overall winner and runner-up, along with the 2024 runner-up eager to vie for the overall trophy, contingent on suitable weather conditions.
The 226 nautical mile classic, commencing at 1pm on 27 March, attracts a diverse range of monohull, two-handed, and multihull entries.
Rupert Henry, regarded as arguably the best two-handed yachtsman in Australia, won the race in 2023 aboard his Lombard 34, Mistral, co-skippered by Greg O’Shea. Henry, sailing Mistral two-handed, also placed sixth overall in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, a remarkable feat considering he was competing against fully crewed yachts ranging from 66 to 100 feet.
Henry and O’Shea are excited to return to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s race. Henry noted, “It’s in the right part of the calendar and it’s a nice destination. It’ll be good to see Coffs again.” The duo has been discussing participating more regularly, viewing this race as an opportunity for both fun and competition.
Henry expressed hope for a better outcome this year after the disappointment of the Hobart race, where he was a leading contender but unfortunately had to retire due to injury. Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison eventually claimed victory, marking them as the first two-handed crew to do so.
To sharpen his skills, Henry has been participating in ILCA 7 racing and plans to compete at the ILCA Masters Worlds in Greece in June, while also focusing on single-handed competitions in Europe to pursue entry into the next Route du Rhum.
During the 2023 Pittwater to Coffs event, Mistral triumphed against the J/99, Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth, which had kept pace throughout the race. Owned by Jules Hall and co-skippered by Jan Scholten, the J/99 topped the ORC board. Henry recounted, “If I recall correctly, we beat them by a whisker in a cloud burst.”
Hall is now set to co-skipper with Alex Knight, who hails from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Hall commented on their previous success in the CYCA Double-Handed Series and is gearing up for an exciting return race against Mistral. Hall has been encouraging participation from the double-handed community and anticipates a strong presence from the J/99 fleet, with at least five expected entries.
Another J/99, Garry Essex’s Veloce, will be co-skippered by Peter Wesley. Hall emphasised his enthusiasm for the Pittwater-Coffs race, citing it as excellent preparation for the upcoming Noakes Sydney Gold Coast race scheduled for July, noting it as a great time of year with favourable weather and a vibrant social atmosphere in Coffs.
In the last Pittwater Coffs event, the father-and-son team of Martin and John Cross finished second overall in one of the event’s lightest and most challenging races, highlighting their commitment and belief in their capabilities. Their Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300, Transcendence Rudy Project, was one of only three boats to complete the race.
This year, a mix of 24 fully crewed and two-handed monohulls and multihulls have registered for the event across IRC, ORC, OMR, and Short Handed categories. Entries for the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race will close at 1700 hours on 14 March, although late entries may be accepted with an additional fee.
For more details about entering and other pertinent information, visit www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au.
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