Race yachts prepare at Rivergate
Rivergate Marina & Shipyard is the Race preparation destination for contenders in the 2022 Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race.
Some of the most high-profile racing yachts will set forth from the start line just east of Green Island on Brisbane’s Moreton Bay on 5 August and heading north to enjoy the on-water and onshore action at Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Weeks.
Among the race yachts preparing at Rivergate are the successful Hamilton Island Wild Oats, Black Jack, Stefan, No Limit, Alive and Whisper, with more scheduled to arrive in July.
The hot-pink-hulled Botin 80, Stefan, owned by Grant Wharington and Adrian Seiffert and sponsored by hair salon entrepreneur and offshore racing champ, Stefan Ackerie OAM, is a regular at Rivergate.
Ahead of the Brisbane-Hamilton Island Race, the yacht’s manager, Theo Somssich is checking over all the systems to ensure they’re race ready.
“Rivergate is one of the best shipyards in the country,” says Adrian. “It’s an all-purpose marina, the staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. Plus, the deepwater location. We draw 5.5-metres so it suits us. It’s a great setup!”
For his part, Adrian is working on putting the crew together. “As of right now, there’s Grant the skipper, Theo, a few crew from Sydney. We’ll have a dozen or so crew to head up to Hamo, and another crew flying in for Hamilton Island Race Week.”
After a few years hiatus, it’s going to be great to reunite in the Whitsundays, says Adrian.
“We’re all looking forward to the racing and partying – it’s been a while. We were ready to go last year. It was disappointing that it was cancelled. So, it’s all systems go for this year!”
The Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race is one of Australia’s longest tropical category 2 offshore yacht races, and will deliver competitors to the wonderful destination of Hamilton Island, in time for the Whitsunday Race Weeks.
The 2021 edition of the race was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID, and so far, a fleet of 20 yachts, including some of the most high-profile racing yachts such as Andoo Comanche, Black Jack, Hamilton Island Wild Oats, have registered for the 5 August race start.
The Yacht Sales Co. 2022 Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race is an opportunity to compete in a race in warm Coastal waters to a fantastic destination,” comments Mark Gallagher, 2022 Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race Director.
“Further, the race distance of 600+ nautical miles provides a challenge to the sailors, and especially the Navigators. For our Short-handed and Multihull entrants especially, this race is the premier event open to them in this country in terms of distance, the racecourse, and destination.”
Andrew Cannon, General Manager at Rivergate says Rivergate offers vessels of all sizes the ideal, deep-water location for maintenance, service and refits ahead of peak winter racing.
“All the marine trades on-site: mechanics, painters, machinists and rigging experts and our position on the Brisbane River allows immediate access on any tide to Moreton Bay and out to open sea.”
