Brisbane based Harburg plans to race his well proven and successful Reichel/Pugh 66, Black Jack, in the Pittwater to Coffs race, then he and many of his team, including skipper Mark ‘Squark’ Bradford, will jump across to his brand new Reichel/Pugh 42 (which will carry the same name) for the remainder of the races north to the Gold Coast.

The new yacht – which is already being referred to as ‘Junior’ – will compete in the inaugural Coffs to Paradise race starting January 7, then the five-day Sail Paradise series off the Gold Coast from January 10 to 14.

However, there is a proviso attached to this plan: should arch rival Bob Oatley and his skipper Mark Richards rush back from the Rolex Sydney Hobart race and enter Black Jack’s near sistership, Wild Oats X, for the entire circuit, then Harburg will match them all the way with the big Black Jack.

Harburg’s new yacht, which is essentially a smaller version of the currently popular TP 52 class, is under construction at Dave Biggar’s Stallion Marine facility located north of Brisbane. For Biggar – who sails as the strategist aboard Black Jack and is well known for his production catamarans – this is the first offshore racing monohull his company has built. It is scheduled to be launched mid-December.

The boat has been purpose-built for racing on Brisbane’s Moreton Bay, which is often infamous for its shallow water when it comes to keelboats. Harburg’s even gone to the extreme of having a lifting keel designed so the yacht can be docked more easily.

Bradford said he and the Black Jack team were looking forward to the exciting challenges the new east coast circuit will provide: the northern sector will make an interesting extension to the highly popular and historic, 226 nautical mile Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race. The Coffs to Paradise race will be a 150nm overnight sprint to the Gold Coast. Sail Paradise will comprise an interesting array of contests on courses set just off the Gold Coast’s magnificent ocean beaches. Both Queensland events will be staged by Southport Yacht Club. Completing the entire package will be three sprint races, one off Pittwater on December 31, and two off Coffs Harbour.

Multihull, cruising and sportboat divisions will be included in Sail Paradise. Trophies will be awarded to placegetters in each individual stage, and there will be a Perpetual Trophy for the winner of the entire circuit. Participants will be able to contest all races or just one.

It is expected that the Sail Paradise fleet will be further boosted by a significant number of local entries from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Mooloolaba, many of which will be contesting the famous Surf to City race from the Gold Coast to Brisbane on January 16.

Already backed by support from Gold Coast City Council and Gold Coast Tourism, the organisers at the northern end of this circuit are planning a social agenda that will match the sailing. As well as there being considerable activity scheduled for the club’s headquarters at Main Beach, a fun day for competitors, their families and friends is being set for Southport Yacht Club’s three-acre facility on nearby South Stradbroke Island during Sail Paradise. Other holiday activities for families on the Gold Coast can include the many theme parks, golf courses and trips to the magnificent hills of the hinterland, in particular Mt Tamborine.

The Notice of Race for the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race, the Coffs to Paradise race and Sail Paradise can be found at www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au or www.southportyachtclub.com.au

More information can be obtained from the Sailing Manager at RPAYC, Chris Stone, at chriss@rpayc.com.au or from Southport Yacht Club on (07) 5591 3500.

Released by Rob Mundle: rob.mundle@bigpond.com
0417 323 573

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week opened in stunning fashion with close to 200 boats taking to the water for the opening Lindeman Island Race, which finished in Dent Passage using the flagstaff on the new Hamilton Island Yacht Club as one end of the line.

The line honours contest that began at last year’s Race Week between the two duelling Reichel Pugh 66s, Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats X and Peter Harburg’s Queensland registered Black Jack has resumed with the same ferocity, Black Jack scoring the first bullet over the line today by a country mile.

Strategist Dave Biggar kept a weather eye out for new breeze lines from up the towering carbon rig and with the wind dropping in and out until it filled in mid afternoon from the NNE it paid handsomely having a crewman aloft for most of the 22 nautical mile race.

Black Jack’s skipper Mark Bradford had nothing but praise for his light-footed crew, special mentions going to Tom Braidwood on the bow and David Blanchfield in the pit.

“There was also a lot of luck involved, tomorrow it will be someone else’s turn,” said Bradford dockside.

All information regarding the 26th Hamilton Island Race Week can be found on the website www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

Photo credit – Black Jack during Race 1 of Hamilton Island Race Week – Photo by Andrea Francolini http://www.afrancolini.com

The Peter Harburg owned and Mark Bradford skippered Reichel Pugh 66 crossed the finish line in Keppel Bay under spinnaker cruising along at 16 knots.

“It was slow to start and up to Indian Head but then the south easterly kicked in and we started to make some good ground,” said proud owner Peter Harburg.

“We got 20-25 knots and the boat was just flying. It was a really great race and I’m so happy with how the crew sailed,” continued Harburg.

Skipper Mark Bradford said it was a relief to have a good race this weekend.

“Last week’s long race was really tough for the boys, so it was good to have some great conditions for this time round. It really was a spectacular sail here with plenty of whale sightings. Bring on Hamilton Island Race Week! Hopefully we are ready for the Oats boys,” said Bradford.

The Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Brad Carter was here to welcome the Line Honours crew and hand over the traditional pineapple as a welcoming token to the region.

The new race record for the Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race is 29 hours, 24 minutes and 11 seconds.

The next yacht due to cross the finish line is Ray Robert’s Cookson 50 Evolution Sails. They are expected to finish before midnight.

For more information – www.brisbanetokeppel.com

The yachts are experiencing 15-20 knots from the south east with perfect racing conditions.

Black Jack (Mark Bradford) is currently leading the fleet and it set to be the first yacht home with an ETA of 1800 hours today 2 August.

“It would be wonderful if Black Jack finished at around 1800 hours,” said Keppel Bay Marina General Manager Kylie Smith. “It would just be a great sight for the locals as they are here at the Marina all day celebrating the Keppel Carnivale.”

Evolution Sails will be the second yacht to arrive at the Marina after fighting Black Jack at the start of the race on Saturday 1 August.

The forty footers are still having a great battle amongst themselves with Bribie Star (Peter Sherwood) keeping about a mile lead in from of Night Nurse (Russell McCart) and Cracklin Rosie (Bob Roberterson).
Bribie Star twittered: “We have the Nurse and Cracklin now about a mile astern. Currently sending her with speeds up to 16knots averages of 11 knots.”

At the 1005 sked Black Jack was 92 miles from the finish line with Evolution Sails are reported to be 40 miles behind.

The local activities at Keppel Bay Marina will continue today and until the last boat crosses the finish line.

For more information – www.brisbanetokeppel.com

BRISBANE TO GLADSTONE Yacht Race

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Black Jack takes line honours in Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race

Black Jack scores line honours victory in Brisbane to Gladstone race

Black Jack scores line honours victory in Brisbane to Gladstone race

Black Jack finished at approximately 0910 Saturday 12th April

Black Jack in control – Brisbane to Gladstone race

Black Jack heads for runaway Brisbane Gladstone win

Courier Mail Update – Favourite leads

Queensland’s Black Jack leads Brisbane-Gladstone fleet north

Brisbane Time Update – Black Jack on top

Courier Mail Update – Black Jack Leads | Courier Mail Gallery | Courier Mail Video

Black Jack leads Gladstone Fleet

Courier Mail Homepage – Sunday 12th April 2009

Courier Mail Homepage – Saturday 11th April 2009

Brisbane Times Homepage – Saturday 11th April 2009

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week
By Lisa Ratcliff

Today the formula one component of the 25th anniversary Audi Hamilton Island Race Week split from the bulk of the 225 strong fleet for some thrilling round the cans action in Fitzalan Passage, to the east of Hamilton Island.

The line honours battle continued at the front end of the fleet with Peter Harburg’s Black Jack gaining the upper hand, scoring two crucial wins over the Mark Richards skippered Wild Oats X.

The 2006 built Black Jack, named after the three time formula one world champion Sir Jack Brabham in honour of his sporting achievements and launched in Brisbane last month, is a slight development of the previous Wild Oats X model.

In race 1 the two got away side by side, Black Jack finally edging out Wild Oats to finish comfortably ahead of Wild Oats X, but in the second race just a boat length separated the two at the finish, PRO Denis Thompson reporting ‘in the end it came down to the best gybe’.

More…

As this is the first running of the race to the new destination Black Jack has set a race record that’s going to be tough to beat.

They finished the race almost in complete darkness with only torches and a spectacular meteorite shower lighting the waters of Keppel Bay.

Sailing with their Code 0 at an extraordinary 6 knots in only 3 knots of easterly breeze, the crew received a shout out from spectator craft that were following their progress from this afternoon.

Skipper Mark Bradford was extremely happy with the yacht and the crew he hand-selected.

“We were pretty lucky with the wind but it does look like it has shut down for the night. We didn’t stop during the race at all which was great especially when the breeze did die right off,” said Bradford.

“As expected Black Jack is a pedigree yacht and we are really happy with her performance and that of the crew. We gelled together with the senior guys encouraging the younger crew to get involved.

“This was our first race and already the crew is improving. We are a great team who just want to go sailing. I’d give this performance 7.5 out of ten!” continued Bradford.

Sir Jack Brabham who put his famous nickname to the yacht is thrilled with their performance and wanting to know how many laps the crew had won by. Sir Jack was reminded that this was yacht racing in a straight line!

The next yacht due to finish as at the 1705 sked is Peter Goldsworthy’s Volvo 60 Getaway-Sailing.com. Bill Wild’s Hugh Welbourne 42 Wedgetail is tipped to cross the line in third. In the 2007 race that finished at Great Keppel Island, Getaway-Sailing.com were the line honours winner with Wedgetail taking out IRC and PHS.

Ray Sweeney’s Farr 11.5 Mondo were just rounding Breaksea Spit at the 1705 sked putting them at the finish line in approximately 24 hours time.

For all the latest log onto the official race website – “>www.brisbanetokeppel.com

The nickname of three time Formula One world champion Sir Jack Brabham, Black Jack was officially named after the Australian hero in honour of his sporting achievements.

“My first sailing experience was onboard a catamaran. It’s wasn’t the best day on the water, so I can’t wait to get onboard this one, just once,” said Sir Jack in his speech to the media at the launch this morning. “I think this boat might go a little faster than that catamaran though,” he laughed.

Reverend David Johnstone blessed Back Jack to safe sailing and good strength just prior to Sir Jack cracking the champagne on the bow sprit whilst wrapped in a checked flag representing Sir Jacks Formula One racing history.

“I don’t think I will get on board much and I’m happy to watch her progress from shore,” said Sir Jack just prior to being presented with a scaled half model of the yacht. “Receiving this model is a wonderful gesture, and now I can imagine her at sea taking on the elements from the safety of my home!”

Purchased by Brisbane businessman Peter Harburg two months ago from USA, Black Jack will compete in her first race in just 14 days when she hits the start line for the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Racking up against sister ship Wild Oats X is sure to create some interest amongst the yachting fraternity. From there Black Jack will race for her home club Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in the 2nd Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race.

“We are looking forward to many fine moments aboard Black Jack as we race along the east coast of Australia,” said Harburg.

Most of the Black Jack crew were on hand this morning at the launch including skipper Mark Bradford who is honoured to take the helm of the new canting keeled racing yacht. “The launch of Black Jack is an important moment in Queensland yacht racing history and I know the crew are eager to hit the water and just go racing,” said Bradford. “We head to Sydney next Friday and the delivery from Brisbane will be a good chance to prepare the crew before racing. We have a lot to learn about this new machine so are keen to just get amongst it,” continued Bradford.

With the spotlight now focused on the actual racing the crew are prepared for anything.

“We are going up against some of the best sailors in world, so it’s important that we focus on the job at hand and get Black Jack over the line,” said skipper Bradford. “We made a promise to Sir Jack to perform in honour of his nickname. Now it’s time to give it a shot.”

Formally known as Stark Raving Mad, Black Jack is the sister ship of the highly successful racing yacht Wild Oats X.

The yacht was loaded onto the ship that brought her to Australia in California and after 23 days at sea she is finally home to the Sunshine State.

Boat manager Mark Demilio is now conversing with crew and prepares to strip the yacht and prepare her for racing before sailing her to Sydney on the 19th of July.

“Most of the crew will be on board for the delivery from Brisbane to Sydney to prepare for the Sydney to Southport race,” said Demilio. “It’s our chance to give the yacht a good shakedown!”

The crew of Black Jack include America’s Cup sailors Craig Monk and Mark Bradford, who is set to skipper Harburg’s new 66’ canter.

Black Jack’s website will launch soon with a racing schedule, crew line up and photo gallery thanks to sailing enthusiasts and local Brisbane web designers The Globecast and SAILINGphotos.net

The ship carrying the American Reichel Pugh 66 to be renamed from Stark Raving Mad to Black Jack is due to arrive at Fisherman’s Wharf in Brisbane River on Wednesday evening. The crew based in Brisbane will be on hand to prepare the canting keeled yacht for its maiden Australian race the from Sydney to Southport in late July.

Black Jack’s home club Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, based on the waters of Waterloo Bay is unable to accommodate the 66 footer due to its 4.5m draft. Instead Black Jack will be based from Rivergate Marina under the Gateway Bridge on the Brisbane River.

Black Jack will also race in the 2nd Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race starting on the 2nd of August before making her way to Hamilton Island for Race Week.

“We plan on racing in all major events on the east coast of Australia,” said skipper and former American’s Cup sailor Mark Bradford. “There is lots to do to prepare her for racing but with the talented sailors on board it’s sure to make that preparation easier,” continued Bradford.

The crew will hit the water as soon as possible once the yacht is ready to race for a few training sessions before she heads south to Sydney. Eager to get on the water, the crew are aware of the huge learning curve that lies ahead of them.

“It’s an exciting campaign. We are just eager to get Black Jack to Brisbane and start racing,” said Bradford.