‘Black Jack’ Double Act for January’s ‘Warm Weather Alternative’

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

With two Grand Prix level ocean racing yachts at his disposal, including one that’s brand new, Peter Harburg has been struggling to decide which to use for the inaugural ‘High Summer’ east coast offshore circuit that starts with the 29th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race on January 2 and ends with Sail Paradise off the Gold Coast … so he’s decided to use both!

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

Duel resumes between Black Jack and Wild Oats X

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

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

Black Jack smashes own Brisbane to Keppel record

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

The race record of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race has fallen today with Black Jack smashing their own record set in 2008 by 3 hours and 49 minutes.

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

Black Jack puts pressure on Brisbane to Keppel race record

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

The race record of 33 hours, 13 minutes and 13 seconds is under serious threat to fall in the third year of the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race.

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