Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is putting a call out for last minute entries for the Yacht Sales Co. Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race before entries close on Sunday, 22 July 2023.

This year marks the 3rd edition of the warm water ‘Go North’ 600 nautical mile feeder race to winter fun in the Whitsundays at Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Weeks.

The John Winning Jr skippered Andoo Comanche is the yacht to beat for line honours this year. Giving the 100 footer a run for her money in the right conditions will be the mini maxis: Alive (Phillip Turner, Tas), along with NSW yachts, No Limit (David Gotze) and Whisper (David Griffith).

Rex is the defending line honours champion – photo courtesy RQYS

A special mention and welcome goes to Kalolo from Cercle Nautique Caledonien (CNC), New Caledonia. Judicael Hillion’s catamaran is a Looping 56GP and is entered in the two-handed multihull division.

The multihull to beat is Rex, the Dale Mitchell skippered ORMA 60 from Whitsunday Sailing Club. Rex took line honours in last year’s race with an elapsed time of 2d 4h 7m 55s and broke the race record in the 2023 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race.

Just 51 minutes behind Rex last year was Andoo Comanche which was only given the slip by Rex in the latter’s local waters of the Whitsundays.

Good mid-fleet racing is expected with a competitive group of boats in the 40 foot plus group, including last year’s overall winner Trouble & Strife, the Matt Williams skippered Cookson 40.

It’s not too late so please click here to enter and also to find the Notice of Race

RQYS Media

Main photo: Andoo Comanche is the benchmark monohull – Mike Middleton photo